Cruise Control

Volkswagen’s safe distance technology.

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) helps to avoid accidents by always keeping your car at a safe distance from the traffic ahead.

Working together with the radar-controlled Front Assist traffic monitoring system, our adaptive cruise control system keeps you at a safe distance from the vehicle in front, making driving much easier - whether on motor way journeys or in slow and moving traffic.

As with Cruise Control, you set the speed at which you want your car to maintain. This is then further enhanced by being equipped with the safe-distance technology using a radar sensor, which modulates your speed based on traffic conditions. The system detects traffic slowing ahead and automatically reduces your speed to match and maintain an appropriate gap to the car in front. If necessary, the system will bring your car to a complete stop.

It does this with the help of the Front Assist system which primes the brakes if it senses a collision is likely, shortening the stopping distance when the driver hits the brake pedal.

How it works

The safe-distance technology's radar sensor has a range of up to 200 metres and a beam angle of 12 degrees. The radar sensor and control unit are combined into a single unit which is located at the front of the car.

Using the signals from the radar sensor, the control unit computes the distance to the vehicle ahead and your car's speed relative to it. It also works out its lateral position on multi-lane roads. If there are several vehicles within the sensor's field of coverage at the same time, this information is used to select which of the vehicles the system should track. The radar sensor is not capable of detecting stationary obstructions, such as the end of a tailback or crash barriers.

If approaching a slower vehicle ahead or if another vehicle cuts in front of you, the adaptive cruise control slows down the car by initiating corrective controls in the engine management and, if necessary, in the braking system too. If the required rate of deceleration exceeds 30% of the vehicle's maximum stopping power, visual and audible warning signals will prompt the driver to apply the brakes manually.

Adaptive Cruise Control V1.5

In addition to the standard Adaptive Cruise Control, this version has a greater operating range of speeds between 0 -130mph.

Adaptive Cruise Control with Predictive Cruise Control

In addition to the above, this updated version of ACC includes:

• Road recognition - using information from front and rear cameras and route information, your vehicle will predictively adjust its speed prior to junctions and bends.
• Speed Assist - using both the front camera and route information identifies changes in the posted speed limit and automatically adjusts the vehicles speed.