2019 VW Touareg Gets Night Vision

Volkswagen AG is introducing a night vision system on its 2019 Touareg crossover vehicle.

Using an infrared camera, the technology can detect the thermal image emitted by standing pedestrians, cyclists and large animals as far as 425 ft away—beyond most high-beam headlights. Visual and/or audio cues alert drivers if the object is in or expected to enter the vehicle’s path.

Detected objects on the side of the road initially are represented in yellow within a black and white image displayed on the vehicle’s digital instrument panel. The yellow figure turns to red if the object crosses thresholds boundaries in line with the vehicle’s path.

Drivers can turn the full display on and off. But VW says the system automatically activated if a potentially dangerous situation is detected at vehicle speeds above 50 kph (31 mph). At lower speeds, potential risks are indicated by an audio warning and a head-up display in vehicles equipped with such systems.

The night vision system is tied to an automatic emergency braking system and will prep the brakes to provide immediate maximum deceleration if necessary. The system also can be teamed with VW’s "IQ.Light” LED matrix headlights that can spotlight detected objects.