Technical glossary

As part of the ESP system, Active Rollover Protection (ARP) recognises an impending rollover and rapidly applies braking to selective wheels to reduce the likelihood of it happening. Especially useful on a vehicle with a high centre of gravity such as a van. ARP detects excessive lateral force if, for example, a van is driven too fast into a corner, which could cause a rollover.

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Adaptive Cruise Control helps avoid accidents by keeping your vehicle a safe distance from the traffic ahead. It uses the radar-controlled Front Assist area monitoring system with City Emergency Braking system to detect traffic ahead, adjusting your speed to maintain a constant safe gap between you and the vehicle in front. If you get too close, audio and visual signals will be displayed, and if necessary, emergency braking triggered.

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Our range of Volkswagen-approved accessories are available to buy and be fitted at your Van Centre. Whether you want to add style or technology, we've got lots of extras for you.

There are big advantages to keeping your accessories 100% Volkswagen. They're a perfect match for fit and style, and developed to be as rugged and reliable as your vehicle.

Most include a two year warranty and if you order and fit them at the time of purchasing a new vehicle, we may be able to extend that to three years to match your vehicle's warranty. Take a look at the full range of accessories.

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It can be very challenging to stop a van on a slippery road. Anti-Lock Braking (ABS) takes the effort and stress out of this situation. The theory is simple - a wheel that is locked and skidding has far less grip than a wheel that is not. ABS stops the wheels skidding while you slowdown, which means you slow faster and can still steer as you come to a stop.

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App-Connect is part of Car-Net and seamlessly connects your smartphone to your infotainment system touchscreen, via the MirrorLink™, Apple CarPlay™ and Google Android Auto™ apps.

Download special Volkswagen apps to your mobile or tablet, such as ‘Shared Audio’, ‘Drive & Track’, ‘Call & Remind’, ‘My Guide’ and ‘Sound Journey’ to make every journey more pleasant and interesting. The apps provide you with information about your driving behaviour, guide you to parking spaces in the vicinity and make detailed suggestions about exciting destinations – all taking into account the weather and traffic data.

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A van with the BlueMotion badge meant that its design and specification were optimised to reduce weight and improve aerodynamics for fuel efficiency. Volkswagen no longer produces BlueMotion models as most BlueMotion technology features are now fitted as standard.

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Our Brake Assist System (BAS) is designed to help in emergency braking situations. This safety function can substantially shorten your car's stopping distance. The system detects that full braking power is needed and automatically boosts the brake pressure up to the ABS threshold, and continues to do so whilst you keep the brake pedal pressed down. If you then ease off the pedal, the system will reduce the brake pressure again to match the brake pedal's position.

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As well as safeguarding your goods, the addition of a bulkhead will protect you and any passengers from the danger of loads shifting too far forward when you brake.

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Car-Net is Volkswagen's solution to internet connectivity in your vehicle. It covers Guide & Inform to enhance your vehicle's optional Discover Media navigation system with online-based, up-to-date information services for greater convenience when travelling. You can utilise real-time traffic information to avoid a sudden traffic jam, refuel at the cheapest petrol station and find a free parking space without the need for an infuriating search. It helps you to reach your destination quickly and with the least amount of stress. Car-Net Guide & Inform is an option available free for three years.

Another element of Car-Net is App-Connect, which seamlessly connects your smartphone to your infotainment system touchscreen, via MirrorLink™, Apple CarPlay™ and Google Android Auto™ apps.

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Driving around town there’s an increased number of hazards to avoid. The City Emergency Braking System is an innovative technology that helps avoid collisions under these conditions. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) also includes the Front Assist area monitoring system with City Emergency Braking System. Automatically activated at speeds under 18 mph, this system detects critical distances, warns of hazardous situations and triggers emergency braking if the driver fails to brake and a collision is imminent. This can reduce the severity of an accident and even avoid a crash.

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DAB+ is the new way to receive radio without noise interference and loss of sound quality. On top of FM stations, there's a wider selection of additional digital stations available, giving you more choice to suit your own particular interests. There’s also no need to remember frequencies - you can just use the radio station names. All DAB+ radios have an LCD display showing the station you're listening to.

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Daytime running lights offer extra safety. Fifty per cent of all daytime accidents at junctions are caused by drivers not seeing other road users in time. Road safety experts recommend switching on dipped-beam headlights during the day, or the use of additional daytime running lights. For extra driver convenience, our dipped-beam headlights are automatically switched on when you start your vehicle.

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The Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) system removes particulates from diesel exhausts, making a major contribution to the reduction of particulate contaminants in the environment.

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Our dual clutch direct shift gearbox (DSG) can be used as a fully automatic gearbox, or as a responsive quick-shift manual. The innovative dual clutch system facilitates an instant gear change, whilst helping to maintain swift and smooth progress. Find out more.

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Sometimes you need room for all your equipment and your crew, which is where our double cab vehicles come in. Our Crafter double cabs have seven seats and a longer wheelbase. Alternatively, our Amarok is a double-cab pickup capable of transporting both crew and equipment even on the most rugged terrain.

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Overtired drivers cause up to 25 per cent of motorway accidents. Our new Driver Alert System gives an early warning for when you need a break and makes motorway driving safer. It works by carefully monitoring driver behaviour, tracking wheel movements and lane deviations - so it can judge when you start to feel sleepy. If the system senses you starting to lose concentration, it will alert you with a warning sound via the dashboard visual display.

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If you prefer open spaces and open vans, a Crafter Dropside is for you. Power and comfort join forces with build quality and flexibility to make this a winning combination. Simply choose the wheelbase that works for you.

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Electronic Differential Lock (EDL) uses ABS sensors on the driven wheels to determine if one wheel if spinning faster than the others. It uses the ABS system to momentarily apply braking to balance out the traction needs of the driven wheels. Front-wheel drive vehicles usually have the most recognisable feel, as they produce the typical ABS-type pulsating sound and feel when they're activated during a wheel spin.

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ESP improves a vehicle's stability by detecting and reducing loss of traction (skidding). When ESP detects loss of steering control, it automatically applies the brakes to help "steer" the vehicle where the driver intends to go. Braking is automatically applied to wheels individually, such as the outer front wheel to counter over steer or the inner rear wheel to counter understeer.

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European Union (EU) legislation sets out exhaust emissions standards for new vehicles sold in the EU. They govern the limits on pollutants emitted in vehicle exhaust gas (sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and diesel exhaust particulates). Since September 2015, all passenger carrying vehicles must be registered as Euro 6, and Commercial vehicles since September 2016.

A single vehicle representative of a particular range is tested, either by independent test organisations or the manufacturers or importers and the results verified by the DfT. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has now developed vehicles meeting Euro 6 standards most of our range.

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Engine Braking Control (EBC) prevents the driven wheels from locking owing to the braking effect of the engine when the accelerator pedal is suddenly released, or the vehicle is braked with a gear engaged.

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Our Transporter Kombi and Caddy Kombi have both been designed with practicality, flexibility and comfort in mind. There's plenty of room for you, your crew and equipment. And in the Transporter Kombi, you've got the added flexibility of five or six seat options, four TDI engines, two wheelbase lengths and three roof height options. Not just a great people carrier, the Kombi holds its own on the road.

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Available as an option, Side Scan displays a warning signal on the exterior mirror as soon as one of its sensors detects a vehicle in a blind spot during a lane change.

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Passive safety refers to measures that help protect the occupants against injury or help reduce injury severity in the event of an accident. Passive safety measures include the safety belt system, the airbags*, the rigid occupant cell and the crumple zones at the front of the vehicle. Safety features built into the body, front and rear, help to dissipate most of the impact energy. All of these elements help to provide excellent all-round protection.

_{* Airbags are supplemental restraint systems only and will not deploy under all accident circumstances. Always use seat belts and child seating appropriate for their size and age. All child seating must satisfy the current legislation standards.}

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Payload is related to gross vehicle weight. Payload capacity is the weight the vehicle is able to carry but does not include the weight of the vehicle itself.

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When you need a hard-working pick-up with power and intelligence, you'll find the perfect combination in our Amarok.

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The rear-view camera gives you an optimised view of the area behind your vehicle. The system utilises the screen integrated into the media system which helps you navigate a safe route when reversing.

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Automatically turns the engine off when you stop and engage neutral. As soon as it's time to move, the engine starts up again. A simple, but highly-effective system.

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The latest generation Euro 6 TDI and BiTDI common-rail diesel engines provide excellent economy and an abundance of usable torque. Both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions have been reduced without sacrificing the driving dynamics. Find out more.

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With a tough steel platform, one tonne load lashing points and an Ingimex Titan tipper body, our robust Crafter Tipper is hard to beat, whatever you need to offload.

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Traction control helps to limit tyre slip under acceleration on slippery surfaces, thus helping the driver to retain proper control. Using sensors at each wheel, the system recognises when traction has been lost and momentarily applies braking to that wheel to help it regain grip. Traction control does not increase traction though; it simply attempts to stop a vehicle's wheels spinning.

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Our Volkswagen Crafter conversions offer a more bespoke vehicle solution. We work in partnership with our recognised converter, Ingimex, to create high quality and durable Crafter Dropside, Tipper and Luton variations.

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The 4MOTION all-wheel drive system reduces wheel spin in adverse conditions such as rain, snow, mud or gravel. It reacts to wheel spin in just milliseconds, sending power to the wheels with most grip, so ensuring better road holding and improved safety. Find out more.

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