[BigChuck]

The windshield hasn't really been innovated in quite some time. So VW decided to do something about it, it seems.

Long story short, they've went ahead and placed a really thing, invisible layer of silver in the middle of the windshield to function as a defroster. It defrosts a lot faster, a lot more efficiently, and they taken the standard filaments and ran them under the wipers so that they could heat up in the winter and not be frozen. Now this isn't just for winter time alone, it also reflects off 60% of the summer heat to keep the inside of the car cooler as well.

Unfortunately, this doesn't seem like it'll be making it to the Atlas.....yet! So far, it'll be offered as an extra for the Golf, Golf Sportsvan, Tiguan, Sharan, Passat, and Passat Variant starting at €340

Volkswagen Has Fancy New Tech for Defrosting Windshields » AutoGuide.com News

 

[WorldAtlas]

€340 for a fancy heating windshield, no thanks. If you ever chip that glass its replacement will not be cheap. Wouldn't get it even if it is available with the Atlas.

 

[Dublin]

That is definitely a hefty price to pay for something that is prone to being cracked and damaged. I agree with @WorldAtlas , I wouldn't opt for it even if the Atlas had it listed. I do a lot of highway driving too, and there are tons of trucks and the chances of something flying and hitting the windshield is vast.

 

[BigChuck]

Replacing it will be pricey, but I would probably still opt for it. Hate how long conventional windshields take to defrost. I'm sure they've done some improvements to have it sustain more damage, and you can always put a clear film over it to help that little much more.

 

[northstar]

Replacing it will be pricey, but I would probably still opt for it. Hate how long conventional windshields take to defrost. I'm sure they've done some improvements to have it sustain more damage, and you can always put a clear film over it to help that little much more.

How long it takes to defrost is due in part to ones lack of understanding how the process works since it all comes down to temperature. It goes beyond just pushing a button when you can no longer see, its a matter of logic.

But given the logic it takes to achieve the socioeconomic status most people buying an Atlas are coming from, I doubt that will be much of a concern. Plus at this point most people will have had years spent in other vehicles.

 

[Dublin]

There's definitely a science to break down to when de-fogging your car. But when there's a thick layer of ice and you really don't want to break out the scraper, there's not much you can do other than turning the heat on full blast and waiting it out.

How do you defrost it?

 

[northstar]

But you should be clear it of snow/ice as much as you can regardless. Then you follow up by using the defroster. There's no point in asking how I do it, there's only one way.

The only real difference is in the technology that car makers deploy which could help to hinder the performance of the system.