Climatronic

Climatronic is a fully electronic climate control system. Main difference between classic air conditioner and Climatronic is that it uses computer system instead of manual controls to adjust air distribution, temperature and flow to provide desired climate conditions. User defines basic parameters as temperature and humidity (if available) and system is taking care about all other actions. Under this name it was introduced by Volkswagen on the Golf and Passat models in the early 1990s.^[1][2]

Other manufacturers like Mitsubishi incorporated similar system as early as 1989 in Mitsubishi Diamante named simply as automatic air conditioner. It was first used in the US in the early 2000s in Passats and Jettas as well. The Phaeton model features an advanced system that has a passive cooling / heating system with hidden vents to prevent draft and airflow (though vents are provided behind hidden doors). This allows the car to have four separate climate zones.

References