Volkswagen Australia has revealed a heavily
customized Arteon that is both a time attack racer and an art car. Dubbed the ART3on, this is a
track-ready vehicle built by a team of VW Australia apprentices. They had only
one week to turn the fastback into a World Time Attack Challenge racer, and
what they did is pretty impressive. First of all, the 2.0-liter turbocharged
four-cylinder gasoline engine got a major overhaul.
It now delivers 489 PS and 600 Nm of torque, up from 280 PS and 350 Nm. Hooked to the seven-speed DSG
transmission and the 4Motion AWD system, the engine enables the souped-up
Arteon to sprint from 0-100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds. VW Australia
measured the acceleration on the straight at Luddenham Raceway in Sydney, which
is slightly uphill. On a perfectly flat stretch of road, the ART3on might be
even quicker.
Naturally, unlocking such power and torque figures
from a turbo-four requires some significant upgrades. They include an array of
RacingLine tweaks such as a Stage 3 turbocharger and intake set, R600 airbox,
oil management system, intercooler upgrade, and a high-pressure fuel pump
upgrade.
The ART3on also received a Milltek Sport Cast
exhaust downpipe and high flow sports catalyst, as well as TVS / Harding DSG
software. The latter increases the transmission’s torque holding and adds
two-step launch control and manual override.
Modifications also include a custom Bilstein
Clubsport suspension setup, APR Big Brake Package, and Pirelli P-Zero Trofeo
semi-slick track tires. Obviously, the ART3on is also equipped with mandatory
safety features such as a roll cage, racing seats with harness, fuel cut-off
system, and a fire extinguisher.
As for this VW Arteon’s unique wrap design, it was
created by Sydney street artist Simon Murray, a.k.a. KADE. The ART3on will make
its public debut at the World Time Attack Challenge on Friday and will be
driven at the Sydney Motorsport Park by Renato Loberto.
