Infotainment Review: Volkswagen Discover Pro

Volkswagen has finally adopted an 8.0-inch infotainment touch-screen as its in-car infotainment display, although the extra inches are currently only available in Touareg, Passat and, most recently, new Tiguan models Down Under.

In fact, next year's upgraded Golf 7.5 will bring a range of Discover Pro multimedia systems with touch-screens up to 9.2-inch and gesture control.

For now, however, VW's second-generation Discover Pro infotainment system is an elegantly packed, feature-rich offering based around the premise that many users will employ the integrated smartphone interface.

With this system there are three such interfaces available; Apple’s CarPlay for iOS base devices such as the iPhone, as well as Android Auto or MirrorLink for smart devices running Google’s operating system.

Those that read our recent review of CarPlay in the Hyundai Elantra will be familiar with what is on offer from the smartphone integration services.

Aside from using the large iconography and connected features of the integrated smartphone applications, Discover Pro also provides AM/FM radio with station logos as an option, a hard drive jukebox with 11GB of storage, and exceptional aural quality from the bank of eight speakers that make up our test Passat’s sound system.

The generational investment in VW’s infotainment thinking is present in neat features that take advantage of the extra screen space. In particular, the proximity sensor that activates buttons as a hand moves towards the screen means precious real estate is not lost during passive operation.

It does, however, mean a small amount of practice is needed to compensate for the lack of locating the function button on first glance.

A user will need to have a rough idea where the desired on-screen button will 'appear' in order to minimise those hunting around moments as the options make themselves available via the proximity sensor.

The swivel animation used during selection of settings screens and the nicely presented sat-nav screen are also welcome signs of user-experience maturity in this system.

The Discover Pro infotainment system screen can also augment the dashboard by adding new sets of instrumentation such as the Think Blue trainer to help in economical driving – or turbo pressure and G-force indicators for the less economical minded.

What is slightly confusing is what possible use the WLAN and connected services could be for users of Discover Pro in this country.  Most functions that would be utilised by hot-spotting a 4G phone to the car's system are simply not available in Australia.

This includes Google Earth imagery and even the ability to load up the onboard Juke Box with music or images content via WLAN or LTE networks.

The standard sat-nav graphical display, however, is more than satisfactory, giving a clear view of the streets and 3D views of buildings in the car's surrounds.

Another minor frustration is the non-QWERTY keyboard used for input of data such as navigational towns and streets. In this day and age, the QWERTY layout is the preferred form, and something most users would be comfortable with.

The larger screen, smart use of proximity sensor and the integration of CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink -- under the label of VW App Connect – and continued maturity of the Discover Pro system makes for a formidable offering of infotainment options.

Plonking in an 8.0-inch screen and excellent sound system is icing on the cake for this second-generation Discover Pro software.