You're such a good looking wagon

Published on 24 June, 2020

One becomes two

Overview

The Arteon has been the Volkswagen Gran Turismo since 2017. Volkswagen is now unveiling a far-reaching update to the model series. The new Arteon and Arteon Shooting Brake are characterised by an expressive and avant-garde design. The distinctive features include in particular the front end with a new continuous light strip, striking chrome bars and new air intakes at the bottom. The radiator grille and the long, wide bonnet are combined as a formal unit and make both Arteon versions stand out as the face in the crowd – also at night thanks to a unique LED light signature at the front and rear.

The two new models – the Arteon and Arteon Shooting Brake – are both characterised by athletic lines. However, they differ significantly from each other from the B-pillars to the rear. Whereas on the fastback model, the roof and window contours are swept down in parallel from the B-pillars and therefore become part of the coupé-shaped rear, the roof and window lines are extended towards the rear on the Shooting Brake and end in the new roof spoiler. At the top, the window line runs parallel to the roof. However, at the bottom the lines move upwards towards the D-pillars, thus making the window area at the rear narrower and more striking. All elements together form the sporty rear profile typical for a Shooting Brake.

Arteon eHybrid. All new technical developments are applied in both body versions. For the first time in the Arteon, this includes a plug-in hybrid drive. With the long purely electric range many Arteon eHybrid and Arteon Shooting Brake eHybrid

The eHybrid consists of a 156PS 1.4 litre four-clyinder petrol mated to a 115PS electric motor to give a combined power output of 218PS. The 13KWH battery offers up to 53km of pure electric driving and a top speed of 140km/h in electric mode.

There will also be the option of a 2.0 litre diesel in two different power outputs, 150PS and 200PS, and a 1.5TSI petrol.

Arteon R – The Arteon R will be the flagship in the model series. With this model, Volkswagen is pushing further into the premium performance segment. Powering the Arteon R is the tried and test 2.0 litre turbocharged unit we see in most VAG performance models. The headline figures are 320PS, four-wheel drive (4MOTION) and a seven speed DSG gearbox. The sprint to 100km/h will be in around 5 seconds. Thanks to a new progressive technology known as R-Performance Torque Vectoring, the torque is distributed variably both between the axles and also between the rear wheels depending on the driving situation by means of selective wheel torque control. We should see both the Arteon R and eHybrid in Ireland in November 2020.

Plenty of space for driver, occupants and luggage. The maximum legroom at the rear is 1,016 mm and is a benchmark value in this class. Thanks to the unique design of its roof section, the Shooting Brake offers more headroom at both the front and rear. As standard, the rear seat backrest can be folded asymmetrically in both models. Behind the Arteon Shooting Brake’s rear seat bench is a luggage compartment capacity of up to 565 litres when loaded up to the rear seat backrest and luggage compartment cover (fastback: 563 litres). Loading the vehicle up to the front seat backrests increases the loading capacity to 1,632 litres (fastback: 1,557 litres). In both cases, the load space has a maximum length of 2,09 mm (up to the front seats).

New assist systems: Travel Assist – assisted driving up to 210 km/h. The range of technical innovations involves powertrains as well as further IQ.DRIVE assist systems. New in this product line: the optional Travel Assist system. The system enables partly automated driving within a speed range from 0 km/h to 210 km/h (within the system limits). Travel Assist makes driving in stop-and-go traffic and through roadworks in particular noticeably more convenient. An integral part of Travel Assist is the ACC with predictive speed control. The adaptive cruise control reacts to speed limits, towns, bends, roundabouts and junctions with corresponding speed adaptation. The Lane Assist lane keeping system that keeps the vehicle in the centre of the lane and Autonomous Emergency Braking Front Assist with Pedestrian Monitoring also form part of the range of Travel Assist functions. The Rear View reversing camera (optional) was further enhanced and now also features among other things a Corner View (which expands the camera image on the infotainment system screen from 90 degrees to a wide angle of 170 degrees) and a special trailer view (of the tow bar from above to facilitate hitching up the trailer).

New cockpit environment in the interior. In the interior, the model series impresses with a newly designed cockpit environment that lends the Arteon an even greater feeling of exclusivity. Operation has been made easier through touch sliders for the automatic air conditioner and a new multifunction steering wheel with touch controls. Also new: the now wireless integration of apps via “App-Connect Wireless” for “Apple CarPlay” and “Android Auto” (Google), and a powerful 700 watt high-end sound system from the audio specialists harman/kardon, which has been customised specifically for the Arteon and Arteon Shooting Brake (both optional). Background lighting that can be adjusted in up to 30 colours is also optionally available to give the new interior an attractive finishing touch. Here, the trims in the dash panel and doors are illuminated – in this way, light becomes the new chrome.

Anthony Murphy

I just kept turning up and eventually they let me drive some shiny new cars.