Volkswagen has finally taken the sheets off its new model called Arteon, which replaces the CC and slotted above the Passat.
The Arteon is essentially a production version on the Sport Coupé Concept GTE unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show in 2015. Looking almost identical to the concept car, the new Arteon was designed on the Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB). The architecture allows for a long, 111.9- inch wheelbase and for short overhangs on the 191.4-inch long body. It also has a width of 73.7 inches and a height of 56.2 inches. This translate to an excellent amount space inside the cabin especially the legroom in the back and a generous luggage space of 563 liters to 1,557 liters.
One of the most important design elements of the Arteon is the completely new front section. Stand-out features include a hood that extends a long way forward and over both fenders and a radiator grille that encompasses the vehicle’s full width. The standard LED headlights and Daytime Running Lights combine with the chrome-plated crossbars of the radiator grille and hood. The powerful shoulder section at the rear, the muscular fenders, the waistline, and the flared wheelarches are also reminiscent of a sports car.
Inside the cabin, the base version will receive cruise control, 6-way power adjustable front seats, leather steering wheel, stainless steel door kickplates, and the Composition Media infotainment system with 8 speakers, AUX-IN and USB. The midrange model will add heated front seats, Alcantara / “Vienna” leather seating surfaces, aluminum-look pedal covers, and contrast stitching on seat covers and floormats. The aforementioned R-Line flagship will adopt a sportier interior with a ‘Titan Black’ headliner, special R-Line steering wheel, Alcantara/ “Vienna” leather seating surfaces with R-Line logo, aluminum-look pedal covers and stainless steel door kickplates with R-Line logo on front plates. Optional goodies include Active Info Display, a head-up display, and the 9.2-inch infotainment system with an elegant glass screen and support for gesture controls.
The Arteon’s innovative driver assistance systems match its avant-garde looks. Three of the new technologies stand out here. First, the latest generation Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) now takes into account data such as speed limits and/or route information and automatically adjusts the speed accordingly. Thanks to the navigation system’s GPS and road data, the new dynamic cornering light system with predictive beam control recognizes when a bend is approaching and is already lighting it before the driver actively turns into it.
Further added safety is provided by the second generation of Emergency Assist: if the driver becomes incapacitated by illness, the system not only (within its system limits) slows the car down, but now also steers it into the nearside lane, traffic behind permitting.
The new Arteon arrives with a range of 6 turbocharged direct-injection engines; three petrol and three diesel. The entry-level petrol (1.5 TSI) and diesel (2.0 TDI) engines, each developing 148 hp are paired to a standard 6-speed manual or an optional 7-speed DSG.
Up next will be the stronger petrol (2.0 TSI) and diesel (2.0 TDI) engines each developing 188 hp. The petrol variant is paired to a standard 7-speed DSG while the diesel variant is paired to a standard 6-speed manual, with an optional 7-speed DSG and Motion all-wheel drive system.
The most powerful petrol (2.0 TSI) and diesel (2.0 TDI) models produces 276hp and 236hp respectively. Both engines are paired to a standard 7-speed DSG and Motion all-wheel drive system.
The VW Arteon will make its world premiere this week at the 21017 Geneva Motor Show and will go on sale in mid-June in German, once the production kick off at the company’s Emden plant.
