2019 Volkswagen GTI Earns Top Safety Pick Rating From the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

HERNDON, Virginia, May 21 -- Volkswagen of America, an operating unit of Volkswagen Group of America, issued the following news release:

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- GTI earns good ratings in five crashworthiness evaluations

- Front Assist earns superior rating for front crash prevention

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Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced that the 2019 Volkswagen GTI, when equipped with available Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist) and LED headlights, has earned a 2019 TOP SAFETY PICK award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

"We are so pleased to receive the IIHS Top Safety Pick award for the GTI," said Derrick Hatami, Executive Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, Volkswagen of America, Inc. "This award demonstrates Volkswagen's longstanding commitment to vehicle safety and the development of innovative technologies."

To qualify for a 2019 TOP SAFETY PICK award, a vehicle must earn good ratings in the driver-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests, as well as a good or acceptable rating in the passenger-side small overlap front test. It also needs an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention and a good or acceptable headlight rating.

The GTI earns good ratings in five crashworthiness evaluations and an acceptable rating in the passenger-side small overlap crash test.

The GTI earns a superior rating for front crash prevention when equipped with available Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring (Front Assist). Front Assist is available in the optional Driver Assistance Package on S models, and standard on the rest of the lineup.

The LED headlights that come standard on the SE, Rabbit Edition and Autobahn trims earn an acceptable headlight rating. The Autobahn trim also features High Beam Control (Light Assist), standard on Autobahn models, automatically raises the headlamp high beams above 40 mph on dark or poorly lit roads, if there is no oncoming traffic detected.

To help protect occupants, the Golf GTI provides a combination of both passive and active safety systems. It features six airbags as standard (front and side airbags for front passengers and side curtain airbags for outboard seating positions), along with a number of electronic safety systems, such as an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC).

A standard feature on the 2019 GTI is Volkswagen's Automatic Post-Collision Braking System. This builds on the premise that a collision is rarely a single, instantaneous action, but rather a series of events that follow the initial impact--the most significant of which can cause additional collisions. The Automatic Post-Collision Braking System helps address this, in certain crash scenarios, by applying the brakes when a primary collision is detected by the airbag sensors, thus potentially reducing residual kinetic energy and, in turn, the chance of additional damage.

To meet the demands of American drivers, the 2019 GTI offers a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features. Available features include: Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring (Front Assist); Blind Spot Monitor; Rear Traffic Alert; Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC); Lane Keeping System (Lane Assist); Park Distance Control; Parking Steering Assistant (Park Assist); and High Beam Control (Light Assist).

Pricing for the 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI S with a standard six-speed manual transmission starts at a MSRP of $27,595. S models equipped with the seven-speed DSG(R) automatic transmission with Tiptronic(R) start at $28,695. The destination charge for all Golf GTI models is an additional $895.

IIHS launched its front crash prevention rating program in 2013 to help consumers sort through the maze of available technologies and focus on the most effective systems. For more information on IIHS, visit www.iihs.org. All IIHS ratings are available at http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings.

About Volkswagen

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is an operating unit of Volkswagen Group of America and a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, with headquarters in Herndon, Virginia. Volkswagen's operations in the United States include research and development, parts and vehicle processing, parts distribution centers, sales, marketing and service offices, financial service centers, and its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Volkswagen Group is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Atlas, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, e-Golf, Golf, Golf Alltrack, Golf GTI, Golf R, Golf SportWagen, Jetta, Passat, and Tiguan vehicles through more than 600 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen online at www.vw.com or media.vw.com to learn more.

About the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is an independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization dedicated to reducing the losses--deaths, injuries and property damage--from motor vehicle crashes. The Institute is wholly supported by auto insurers.

"VW", "Volkswagen", all model names and the Volkswagen logo are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG.

This information and any vehicle specifications are preliminary and subject to change.

Features and technical data apply to models offered in the USA. They may differ in other countries.

All prices provided are the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price and exclude destination, taxes, title, other options and dealer charges. Dealer sets actual price.

Airbags are supplemental restraints only and will not deploy under all crash circumstances. Always use safety belts and seat children only in the rear, using restraint systems appropriate for their size and age.

Driver-assistance features are not substitutes for attentive driving. See Owner's Manual for further details, and important limitations.