Volkswagen makes sweeping MY16 updates : Reversing camera, Apple CarPlay, new touchscreens standard

In what amounts to a significant value improvement, all Polo, Golf, Beetle, Scirocco, Jetta and Tiguan models will now get a standard reverse-view camera and a new App-Connect USB interface integrating Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink as standard.

This makes Volkswagen among the first brands with these new-generation connectivity systems, which over the coming years will become standard across the overwhelming majority of new cars.

Some models also get a new 6.5-inch screen — notably the Golf, which definitely needed one — along with power bumps (hello to the Golf 92TSI and 110TSI) and other additional equipment. The just-updated Polo GTI hot hatch is now standard with adjustable dampers.

There is also an array of small price tweaks, both increases and decreases. Polo pricing changes from -$100 to +$500, Golf and Golf Wagon pricing changes from -$200 to +$700, Golf GTI pricing drops from by between $1000 and $2000, Beetle pricing rises $600 and Jetta Trendline prices rise $200.

The Passat range is untouched, as the new-generation car is coming before year’s end. The Golf Cabriolet remains the same too.

The MY16 model range will begin to arrive in Volkswagen dealerships across the country in the coming weeks, with models available to order immediately.

“It’s great to be able to offer our customers the best of German engineering, and in the coming weeks and months, our customers will be able to get even more bang for their bucks,” said Volkswagen Group Australia managing director John White.

White has been effusive in the past about VW's mission to be a top-five player in Australia, and the company has been posting record growth this year.

The full suite of MY16 running changes are below (prices mentioned are for versions with manual gearbox unless otherwise mentioned. DSG auto generally a $2500 extra):

Polo

Polo 66TSI Trendline

($16,990 plus on-roads, up $500)

Additional features over and above the MY15 Polo 66TSI Trendline

Polo 81TSI Comfortline

($18,490, down $100)

Additional features over and above the MY15 Polo 81TSI Comfortline

Polo GTI

(Still $27,990)

Additional features over and above the MY15 Polo GTI

Options

Golf and Golf wagon

Golf 92TSI

($22,490, up $700)

Additional features over and above the MY15 Golf 90TSI

Golf and Golf Wagon 92TSI Trendline

($23,990 hatch, $27,990 wagon with DSG standard on latter)

NEW MODEL: Additional features over and above the MY16 Golf 92TSI

Golf and Golf Wagon 92TSI Comfortline

($27,990 hatch, $29,490 wagon, both standard with DSG, prices down $150 and $200 respectively)

Additional features over and above the MY15 Golf 90TSI Comfortline

The Golf 90TSI Comfortline manual has been discontinued

Golf and Golf Wagon 110TSI Highline ($32,990 hatch, $34,490 wagon, both standard with DSG, prices up $200 and $150 respectively)

Additional features over and above the MY15 Golf 103TSI Highline

Golf and Golf Wagon 110TDI Highline

($35,490 hatch and $36,990 wagon, both standard with DSG, prices up by $200 and $150 respectively)

Additional features over and above the MY15 Golf 110TDI Highline

Golf GTI

($40,990, down $1000)

Additional features over and above the MY15 Golf GTI

Golf GTI Performance

($46,490 with standard DSG, down $2000)

Golf R

(Still $52,740)

Additional features over and above the MY15 Golf R

Beetle

($31,390, up $600)

Options

Scirocco R 

(Still $45,990)

Jetta

Jetta 118TSI Trendline

($22,990, up $200)

Additional features over and above the MY15 Jetta 118TSI Trendline

Jetta Comfortline, Highline and Highline Sport models

(Pricing unchanged)

Additional features over and above the respective MY15 Jetta models

Options

Tiguan

Tiguan 118TSI, 132TSI and 130TDI

(Pricing unchanged)

Additional features over and above the respective MY15 Tiguan models

Tiguan 155TSI R-Line

(Pricing unchanged)

Additional features over and above the MY15 Tiguan 155TSI R-Line

Options