The 2021 Volkswagen Arteon facelift was launched here in Malaysia back in July this year – and now that the travelling restrictions have eased, we can now finally bring you along for a closer look at the sleek fastback.
The exterior updates on the new Arteon R-Line is tame by modern “facelift” standards, with the main changes being the new light bar across the front grille, and a new three-dimensional tail light signature at the back.
Just as before, the Volkswagen Arteon in Malaysia is dressed in the R-Line package, which includes sportier trims such as the front and rear bumper, along with a bootlid spoiler, plus the 19-inch “Montevideo” alloy wheels.
But why change what’s not broken, right? The main updates here are in its performance capabilities anyway – and they’re huge. The 2021 Volkswagen Arteon in Malaysia is now powered by a new 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine, making 280 hp and 350 Nm of torque – a whole 90 hp more than the previous “handicapped” version.
That’s not all – the new Volkswagen Arteon also now gains the 4Motion all-wheel drive system to better translate all that powere into the tarmac, and there’s also the XDS electronic differential lock and adaptive dampers with Dynamic Chassis Control to help with traction and athletism in the corners.
For a closer look at the 2021 Volkswagen Arteon, check out our in-depth gallery here!
In terms of figures, the engine – paired to a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission – sprints from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 5.6 seconds. While top speed numbers weren’t provided, videos online shows that the powertrain combo on the 2021 Volkswagen Arteon is capable of hitting speeds of up to 250 km/h.
On the interior, the 2021 Volkswagen Arteon has received a slight nip and tuck, with a reworked dashboard featuring a sportier carbon fibre-like trim element replacing the one in the old model that was lifted pretty-much wholesale from the Passat.
In terms of equipment, the only new addition are the new R-Line flat-bottom steering wheel with haptic touch controls, plus the sportier ErgoComfort front seats with integrated headrests, wrapped in a “Carbon-style” Nappa leather upholstery.
Otherwise, the rest of the equipment is basically unchanged from last year’s model, with standard equipments such as an 11.7-inch digital instrument cluster, a 9.2-inch Discover Pro infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a 12-speaker, 700W Harman Kardon sound system.
The 2021 Volkswagen Arteon in Malaysia is priced RM247,671 on the road, without insurance, and inclusive of the sales tax exemptions that are valid until the end of the year. Also included in the price is a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty, three-year free scheduled service package, and five years of free roadside assistance.
