2022 Volkswagen Golf gains updated infotainment amid criticism

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf 'Mk8' has received an overhauled infotainment system in Europe, amid customer and media criticism since its launch two years ago – and it's in line for Australian showrooms as early as next year.

Set to enter production for European markets "in the next few weeks", the Golf's infotainment system is now backed by a new central processing unit (CPU) and graphics cards, claimed to deliver a 25 per cent increase in processing power and a three-fold increase in graphics performance.

Volkswagen says these translate to more seamless scrolling action through lists, and shorter load times for key apps, with destination searches within the satellite navigation system "usually ready in less than five seconds – much more quickly than before."

On the software side, when the touchscreen is pressed the infotainment system now disables the touch-sensitive climate and volume control buttons that sit below the screen, allowing a user's hands to be rested on them – preventing the buttons from being activated accidentally when the touchscreen is in use, a key criticism of today's car among owners and media.

Proximity sensors are used to disable the shortcut buttons around the hazard light switch when the user's finger "comes within a few centimetres of the screen".

The "Hello Volkswagen" voice control system has been treated to a major overhaul, gaining improved support for natural phrases such as "I'm cold" and "Where can I find a Japanese restaurant in Berlin?", the ability to ask follow-up questions to the occupants, and support for "interruptions" to a passenger's command.

Online or offline responses to user requests are up to four times faster than before, with Volkswagen adding "it takes less than five tenths of a second to process an online request on the server, and the feedback arrives in the car in less than a second." The system's rate of comprehension has also increased to 95 per cent of spoken phrases.

The updated infotainment system will enter production in the 2022 Volkswagen Golf for European markets in the coming weeks, with plans for existing vehicles to gain the update to be announced at the beginning of 2022, as part of a "voluntary service measure".

Exact Australian details and timing are yet to be confirmed, though it's suggested the update wouldn't arrive until Model Year 2023 at the earliest – suggesting a local arrival no earlier than the second half of 2022. Stay tuned to Drive for the latest updates.