Farming Monthly National July 2016 | Page 62

| Motors New Volkswagen Tiguan is cool, calm and connected The need to integrate today’s consumer technologies such as smartphones seamlessly into our homes, offices and cars is becoming essential for many. Recognising this trend, when designing the new Tiguan, Volkswagen engineers have ensured the car is packed with state-of-the-art features that support connectivity and functionality more easily than ever. he new Tiguan’s cool, calm, connected nature enables its driver and passengers to stay in touch while on the move. Whether it’s getting the latest traffic information, streaming some music or dictating a text hands-free the latest Volkswagen SUV is equipped for the task. All new Tiguans offer, as a minimum, Volkswagen’s impressive Composition Media system. This includes an eightinch colour touch-screen, DAB digital radio receiver, CD player, USB connection and the simultaneous pairing, via Bluetooth, of two compatible mobile phone devices.¹ Once a smartphone is paired with the Tiguan the driver or passenger can make and receive phone calls via the car’s built-in microphone and infotainment speakers. When the car is stationary the driver or passenger can even read and reply to SMS text messages using the touchscreen display, if they have an Android smartphone. Internet on the move Of course mobile phones now do so much more than merely text or call contacts. This is where Volkswagen’s Car-Net comes in. Car-Net refers to in-car internet connectivity and it brings the best functions of a smartphone – entertainment and convenience – T into the Tiguan, simply and securely. A range of services are available, and for access to the full functionality all the driver needs to do is set up an account at volkswagen-car-net.com and download the Car-Net app to their smartphone. Car-Net kicks off with the AppConnect system. Available on entry-level S trim, and standard on all other trims, App-Connect allows the display screen of a smartphone to be ‘mirrored’ on the Tiguan’s Composition Media touch-screen by connecting the phone via a USB cable.² This is compatible with smartphones that run Apple, Google and Android operating systems, meaning the function is available to almost every smartphone user. Crucially, the Tiguan also allows the use of certified apps on its infotainment touch-screen. And if the app supports voice control then that will work in the Tiguan too! With safety in mind, only certain apps can be used while the Tiguan’s wheels are in motion. One such app is MirrorLink’s Cam Connect. This allows the infotainment display to be connected to a GoPro camera, which can be mounted in the vehicle or in a trailer that’s being towed by the Tiguan. This is useful if you have a dog in the rear of the vehicle, or if you’re towing a horse box and you want to check on your animal without having to 62 | Farming Monthly | July 2016 pull over. Tiguan’s active information The most comprehensive mobile connectivity available in new Tiguan is Car-Net ‘Guide and Inform Plus’. Optional on S, SE Navigation, SEL an d R-Line trims, ‘Guide and Inform Plus’ adds voice activation technology to the already thorough ‘Guide and Inform’ offering. It brings Google Earth™ into the car, while Google Street View™ can also be displayed on the colour touchscreen. A crucial feature of Car-Net is the way in which the Car-Net app acts as an e-Remote for the new Tiguan. Before the driver gets into the car, he or she can use the CarNet e-Remote to pre-set the air conditioning so the cabin is at their preferred temperature. The eRemote also displays the vehicle’s mileage, last parking position and will even inform the driver if the headlights are on or not. The connectivity of the new Tiguan makes it one of the most advanced cars in its class, but it’s far from a ‘one trick’ SUV. Another technological highlight is the Active Info Display: a 12.3-inch high resolution TFT display screen located in the instrument binnacle. It offers a digital speedo and tachometer, and the display can be customised to show almost any of the car’s other parameters. Particularly useful is the widescreen navigation display, which replicates the information on the TFT display in the centre console. Active Info Display is available on trims from SE and up, and is standard on the SEL and R-Line models. Another key feature is the Headup Display that projects driving information, including current speed and the speed limit, onto a retractable screen within the driver’s field of vision. This fighter jet-inspired technology is an option on Tiguans from SE and above. Brimming with technology, the new Volkswagen Tiguan is on sale now. For full details, together with brochures and pricing and to use Volkswagen’s online configurator, please visit www.volkswagen.co.uk www.farmingmonthly.co.uk