Rear Traffic Alert

[DanDuda48]

I wanted to ask about the Rear Traffic Alert.
On my GTD this is something that is enabled through the Discover Pro (if you have Lane Assist with blind spot monitoring). And it is very helpful when reversing from my driveway into a busy road.

However, on my manual GTI it does not seem to be an option for this (though I have the Lane assist with Dynamic Light Assist option).
Has it been discontinued or is it only available with the DSG?
(When I ordered my GTI, it was definitely offered as an option with 7 speed DSG, if one included the option Lane Assist Plus with Dynamic Light Assist.)
I was not able to find out how to enable it on my GTI.
Is this something that can be enabled through VCDS (like the Traffic Sign Recognition in my GTD)?

[fredgroves]

I could be wrong but I think it's like traffic jam assist and dsg only.

[DanDuda48]

Yes, the traffic jam assist is only with DSG, but that is obvious from the construction side of things, as with manual shift gears one cannot start moving from zero speed automatically. The adaptive cruise control functions similarly, until you have to change the gears manually.
But with rear traffic alert, there is nothing that requires the DSG in order for it to work (as evidenced that it was available in MY2016 (and maybe others as well). That’s why it seems to me that it must be part of the VW cost cutting exercises to remove it from manual in MY2018.
Therefore, I assume there should be a way to enable it with VCDS and some of you VCDS wizards might have found out how.
(Similarly, my MY2016 did not have Traffic Sign Recognition enabled from the factory, but with the lane departure camera already on the car, it was simple to enable it through VCDS. That’s why I assume this must be a similar case.) Any help from the VCDS wizards out there?

[fredgroves]

I see where you are coming from and from what I know the hardware for rear traffic alert is the same radar unit used for blind spot monitoring.... or at least I think so.

Maybe someone can confirm that from the tech training manuals? (always the best way to confirm these things)

BTW on the current configurator I can't even see blind spot monitoring as an option...

[Vwjap]

Thats what I thought fred

[fredgroves]

Ok, according to the current configurator.... on manual you can only get :

Lane Assist with Dynamic Light Assist including Traffic Sign Recognition
£650

Lane Assist, camera controlled warning system should the vehicle drift out of its lane. Dynamic Light Assist, automatic sensors detect other road users and cover part of the headlights appropriately. If dazzling other road users cannot be prevented, the light distribution is automatically set to dipped beam headlights. Traffic Sign Recognition, camera controlled system with visual warning for traffic and road signs.

    Dynamic light assist
    Lane assist
    Multifunction camera
    Traffic sign recognition

On DSG you can get:

Lane Assist Plus with Dynamic Light Assist
£1,225

Lane Assist Plus with Emergency Assist and Dynamic Light Assist - Lane Assist, camera controlled warning system should the vehicle drift out of its lane. Dynamic Light Assist, automatic sensors detect other road users and cover part of the headlights appropriately. If dazzling other road users cannot be prevented, the light distribution is automatically set to dipped beam headlights. Emergency Assist, driver intervention should sensors detect the driver is incapable of driving. Automatic hazard light activation while bringing the vehicle to a controlled stop within its lane Rear Traffic Alert, monitors the area behind the vehicle during reversing manoeuvres, if another vehicle is getting too close the system alerts the driver by means of an audible and visual warning or brake intervention where a collision is imminent. Side scan, radar sensor controlled warning system for lane changing and blind spots with visual warning via light in door mirror housing. Traffic Jam Assist, camera and radar sensor controlled warning system to accelerate, brake and steer should the vehicle drift out of its lane, providing the driver�s hands are on the wheel. Traffic Sign Recognition, camera controlled system with visual warning for traffic and road signs

    Dynamic light assist
    Multifunction camera
    Traffic sign recognition

I could be wrong, but I suspect there is actually an extra rear radar transceiver for Rear Traffic. The Lane Assist says its side scan, not rear scan.

Bosch who make the radar units definitely have a tail mounted unit for rear detection.

Now, why they preclude Rear Traffic from a non-DSG is anyone's guess.

The only DSG related bit is traffic jam assist, which isn't related to any extra hardware over and above the Lane Assist forward camera and standard ACC front radar... its just software.

Standard VW vagueness about extras though - I'm to spunk a grand on something described in 3 sentences that might be incorrect. Boils my p1ss.

[fredgroves]

PS VW Germany sell these options individually IIRC.... its only VW UK that have bundled this stuff together.

At one point you used to be able to order these individually...