Update or not – that’s the question

In the past, cars had to go to the workshop for every tuning and optimization. Or you bought a screwdriver and installed the new radio, sound amplifier or air fog lights yourself. In the brave new world of cars, as with smartphones or laptops, software updates are sufficient for upgrades. Then there’s no time to waste more charging power for electric cars, preheating the battery, or a new app in infotainment.

The VW ID.4 GTX from the Blick editorial team – a long-term tester for a year – also needed a recent update. Understandable: For example, there is a problem with the infotainment system on some new VWs, as well as on models from sister brands. Recognizing the problem, new VW boss Thomas Schäfer has recently signaled and announced rapid improvements. But as soon as our ID.4 came back, the confusion was huge: Did it work or not? He should have bought new software in the summer, but the intervention was delayed. Now is there a second attempt at the winter tire appointment or not?

update or no update?

The Amag workshop report says: It worked! The long-term tester now runs software version 2.4 instead of the previous version 2.3. But when we look at infotainment in the system information, it says 2.3. And also the list of software changes you can get is empty! And: The car can’t do anything new – at least we don’t see anything changing in the UI. No update after all?

VW spokesperson Christian Frey from Amag says that, as often happens, the solution lies in small print. That’s right: after the 2.4 update, VW’s ID models still show the 2.3 software playing music on their system. But the fourth line of system information is crucial: Version 2.3 has the code “0910”, while 2.4 has the code “0912” – just like our long-term test tool.

In fact, there are no new functions to be found: Software 2.4 is primarily a background system update. Until now, our long-term tester for new software had to go to the repair shop. It can now import them “over the air”, i.e. contactless, over the mobile network – like a smartphone. It can also increase the range by improving the temperature management of the battery.

The big leap is yet to come

Sorry VW, we were wrong there. Still: the 2.3 gauge in the infotainment system causes confusion – certainly true for some VW customers as well. And indeed, updating VW’s ID models has never been so easy: for the 2.4 software, the 12 volt battery (which has nothing to do with the propulsion battery) had to be replaced with a higher capacity battery, otherwise the Vehicle electronics ran out of power during the long update. And then 2.4 is just the prelude to the really big leap forward with version 3.0.

Starting in the second quarter of 2022, this will bring new functionality such as more charging power (new 135 instead of just 125 kW), revisions to the route planner, head-up display and charging screens, and even two new assist systems for automatic lane change. and automatic parking. Too bad – the last two need sensors that are not installed on cars already delivered. And: The update was delayed for four to five months at the factory.

Software is key

“It’s an unsatisfactory situation,” Frey says. Especially since the software at VW will play a decisive role in the development of new models in the future. In the medium term, customers should be able to purchase new functionality permanently or temporarily, only through application and update, after purchasing the vehicle, which should make a significant contribution to sales.

At some point, our long-term tester ID.4 GTX will also receive a software 3.0 update “over the air”. And we’re excited to see if it works before December’s testing is over.