Shortly after its global debut at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, right-hand drive versions of the Volkswagen Arteon is now on sale in UK. The flagship model is available in a total of 11 variants along with a range of factory options for customers to own their perfect Arteon.
The Arteon is the successor to the Passat CC and is the better-looking twin of the Passat B8. Sitting on the group’s modular MQB platform, the Arteon dwarfs the Passat at 4,862 mm in length (+95 mm), 1,871 mm in width (+39 mm), 1,450 mm in height (-6 mm) and 2,837 mm in wheelbase (+46 mm). Body rigidity is also up by 10 percent and drag coefficient has been slashed from 0.28 to 0.265.
UK-bound Arteons will be available in two distinct trims – Elegance and R-Line. As the name suggests, the Elegance models gets dressed in a more sophisticated fashion for that sleek and mellow appearance. R-Line on the other hand is the sportier alternative with aggressive bumpers and a ducktail spoiler to boot. Lighting source are identical on both trims – LED headlamps and tail lamps with dynamic indicators. Both trim levels however, can be specified with alloy wheels ranging from 18- to 20-inch in diameter.
Inside, standard equipment reads Nappa leather upholstery, 12.3-inch Active Info Display, tri-zone Air Care Climatronic air conditioning, 8.0-inch Discover Navigation touchscreen infotainment system, eight speakers and Volkswagen Media Control which allows remote control of the infotainment system via compatible smart device.
For a small fee, UK buyers can have their Arteon to come with heads up display, a 9.2-inch Discover Pro infotainment system with gesture control, a 700-watt 12 speaker Dynaudio ‘Confidence’ sound pack, panoramic roof, front massaging seats and heated steering wheel.
At launch, buyers can have their Arteon to be powered by a 276 hp 2.0-litre turbocharged TSI petrol, 237 hp 2.0-litre turbodiesel TDI or a 148 hp 2.0-litre turbodiesel TDI; all transversely mounted four-cylinder units. All engine choices will be equipped with a seven-speed DSG dual clutch transmission while the lower output 148 hp 2.0 TDI can be optioned with a six-speed manual.
Higher outputs of the TSI and TDI engines gets 4MOTION all-wheel drive system as standard while other models driven by the front wheels only. The most powerful Arteon (276 hp 2.0 TSI, 4MOTION) will sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.4 seconds.
A 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder TSI EVO with 148 hp (first featured on the Golf MK7 facelift) and 187 hp 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder TSI will join the Arteon line up in due course.
On the safety front, the new Arteon comes equipped with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with predictive cruise control, City Emergency Braking, Front Assist, Speed Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, Lane Assist and Driver Alert fatigue warning system. The Arteon is also awarded with full 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating.
In UK, the Volkswagen Arteon Elegance retails from £34,305 (RM191k) to £39,170 (RM218k) while prices for the R-Line ranges from £35,090 (RM195k) to £39,955 (RM222k). Since Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia is able to locally assemble the Passat B8, could there be a slim chance that the Arteon will make its way here as a CKD model? If so, how much would you pay for one?
IMAGE GALLERY
Volkswagen Arteon R-Line
Volkswagen Arteon Elegance