This is the all-new VW Arteon, which is going to be positioned above the Passat in the brand’s range as
a premium offering. Based on VW’s modular MQB platform, the new Arteon sits on
a long 2,841 mm wheelbase, measuring 4,862 mm long, 1,871 mm wide and 1,427 mm tall.
The company is calling the Arteon a premium Gran
Turismo, giving it a distinctive front end, a set of powerful shoulder lines
and a low roofline among other design features.
The new VW Arteon will be available initially with
six petrol and diesel engines, starting from 148 hp in the case of the
new 1.5-litre TSI petrol, followed by the 2.0-litre TSI which is offered in
187 hp and 276 hp versions.
If you prefer a diesel engine, then you have to
choose the 2.0-litre TDI engine, offered in the 148 hp, 187 hp or
the range-topping 236 hp version. The base petrol engine, as well as the
148 hp and the 187 hp diesel models are coming with a six-speed manual gearbox as
standard. The rest of the range gets a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic from
the get-go while the more powerful petrol and diesel models will be all-wheel
drive only.
The interior follows the familiar lines of the
Passat, only in this case VW has thrown all their latest tech features,
including the Active Info Display, as seen in the Golf and of course a range of
their latest infotainment systems with a screen size from 6.5 and 9.2 inches in
diameter.
The Arteon also
gets ambient lighting, with a strip running right under the air vent and
continuing into the door panels. VW also claims that the interior legroom for
the rear passengers is the best in class, thanks to the long wheelbase. The
rear bench also offers seating for three, with the two outer seat positions to
feature the ergonomic character of individual seats.
The Arteon will offer a wide range of
driver assistance systems, including the latest generation of the company’s
adaptive cruise control, Emergency Assist, Lane Assist, Proactive occupant
protection and more.
VW’s move to push upmarket the new Arteon shows the
company’s intentions to rival cars like the BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe and the
Audi A5 Sportback and also means that prices will be set at a higher level than
the equivalent Passat.
