I don't know. I live in the snow belt and drive in raging blizzards often. What do you think? Logic tells me it's not needed at all but VW must have put it there for a reason.
They seem to only put it there in certain regions, not all. I think it's overkill. Snow getting past the filter is called water and I don't see that guard keeping water out. I live in Florida have had it out in 2 different mk7's with no issue in downpours.