And this week’s must-have gadget is… a car!
With this much tech, of course it’s a gadget!
For decades it was Formula 1 that gave the car business much of its cutting-edge technology. These days mainstream car companies are investing much more in their own research and design, and they’re putting technology to work for us every day on the road.
Volkswagen’s new Golf Highline is full to the brim with tech to make it efficient and safe for drivers – but I was curious if all this new tech would still let motoring be fun as I took to the open road.
I picked up my turmeric yellow Golf Highline and it’s difficult, even for a nerdy type, not to be struck by the sporty lines of this car. Inside though, is where my real interest lies and the very first thing I needed to do was pair my iPhone with the car using the Volkswagen’s App Connect system.
Pairing completed, I felt at home and the centre console displayed the icons from my iPhone and functioned just like my phone’s touch screen. Instantly I got access to my contacts, SMS, Google Maps, playlists and audiobooks. The car’s comprehensive voice-control feature let me use voice commands to make calls using my phone.
Inside the glove compartment, I discovered the CD player and also, surprisingly, a Micro SD memory card port for additional media access. The console displays the traditional radio stations’ logos but, using the TuneIn radio app, I can listen to radio stations from around the world as I drive. Instead of traditional dials and gauges, the Golf has a 12in Active Info Display. This high-res display replaces a traditional speedometer and has five different views, so you can choose your favourite.
Putting the Golf into reverse activates the rear-view camera and sensors with a large, clear image of what’s behind displayed on the screen. On the road, I set my cruise speed and the Active Cruise Control sensors – which work for speeds up to 160kph – kicked in to keep me a safe distance from the vehicle in front. In heavy traffic, I could feel the car changing gear, braking and then accelerating and, when a car came up behind me on the open road, Light Assist dimmed my headlights and mirror to reduce glare. I found that the technology was taking away the frequent adjustments and interruptions that often distract me. But perhaps the most safety focused tech is the driver fatigue alert, which monitors things like driver behaviour, erratic steering, lane deviation and responses to traffic signals to see if you need a break.
The Golf Highline does around 5.6l per 100km and costs €200 to tax for a year. That’s all great but, to me, what’s fascinating about this car – the biggest gadget I’ve ever tested – is that it changes how I think about driving. It looks lovely, it drives great but its connectivity and entertainment make me feel at home. Most importantly, I feel the tech is looking out for me. Yes, it’s fun driving but it’s the smartest driving I’ve ever done.