Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced that the 2016 Passat, when equipped with the optional Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist) system, has been awarded a 2016 TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The 2016 Passat recently underwent the IIHS Small Overlap Front Crash test and received the highest possible rating of “good”. The Passat receives a fully reinforced structure, building on the model’s “good” ratings in the Institute's other crashworthiness tests.
In addition, the new Passat offers a combination of both passive and active systems that are engineered to meet or exceed current crash regulations. The Passat is equipped with the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System as standard and is available with the following advanced driver assistance features: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist), an active Lane Departure Warning system (Lane Assist), passive and active Blind Spot Monitor (dependent on trim level) as well as Rear Traffic Alert with braking.
The IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ award is given to vehicles that have met TOP SAFETY PICK criteria—good ratings in the moderate overlap front, small overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraint tests—and have earned an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention system performance.
IIHS launched its front crash prevention rating program in 2013 to help consumers sort through a maze of technologies and zero in on the most effective systems. Under a three-tier rating program, models with optional or standard front crash prevention systems are rated as superior, advanced or basic. Ratings are determined by whether the vehicles have available front crash prevention systems, and, if so, how it performs in 12 and 25 mph autonomous emergency braking and forward collision warning tests. To assess the performance, points are awarded based on the braking and warning performance in the tests. Vehicles that have a warning system only earn a basic rating, provided the system meets National Highway Traffic Safety Administration performance criteria. For details, visit www.iihs.org.
The Passat’s Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist) system uses a radar sensor to help monitor the distance of traffic ahead of the vehicle. Within physical system limits, Front Assist helps alert the driver of critical front-end collision situations, both acoustically and visually by a clear warning symbol in the instrument cluster above 19 mph, and, if necessary, braking is initiated to slow the vehicle. If the driver fails to apply the brakes, the system autonomously applies them; if the pedal is engaged but the driver brakes too lightly, the pressure is increased by the system (braking support). Below 19 mph, the vehicle applies the brakes and warns the driver simultaneously.
“The Passat’s IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award demonstrates Volkswagen’s longstanding commitment to vehicle safety and the development of innovative technologies,” said Mark McNabb, chief operating officer, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “Features such as Active Blind Spot Monitor and perpendicular Park Assist are unique to the segment and not typically seen outside of the luxury market.”
The 2016 Passat is currently on sale at Volkswagen dealerships nationwide. Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist) is standard on SE models and above. SE w/ Technology models and higher trim levels feature standard Blind Spot Monitor (warning only) and Rear Traffic Alert with braking. The active Lane Departure Warning (Lane Assist) system is standard on SEL Premium models, which are also equipped with the Active Blind Spot Monitoring system with corrective steering.
In addition to the Passat, 2016 Volkswagen Golf 4-door, Golf SportWagen, Golf GTI 4-door, and Jetta models have been awarded 2016 TOP SAFETY PICK+ ratings by IIHS when equipped with the optional Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist) system.