New VW Arteon unveiled

YOCHANAAN COETZEE Last year, after a schmoozy dinner at one of Windhoek's most exclusive hotels, I noticed a rather peculiar-looking silhouette in the corner of our parking lot selfie.On closer inspection, we realised that this was not just a new Passat with a space-age styling package slapped on, but rather an unreleased executive saloon.Wiping the dust collected from days of harsh hot-weather testing through the country revealed an unfamiliar name: Arteon.The Arteon is Volkswagen's top passenger model and the new Volkswagen Gran Turismo promises a whole new level of luxuriously engaging driving. Avant-garde in every wayCombining elegant design with a high level of versatility was the key objective for designers and developers of the Arteon. This resulted in an interior architecture which is exceptionally spacious – with ample head- and legroom at all seats – which is extraordinary for this flowing body form.The car's remarkable shoulder section is another defining feature of its design. The five-seat Arteon is an ideal alternative for people who want a five-door fastback with an accomplished, elegant design and progressive technology.Interesting features have been added that are typically reserved for luxury vehicles. This unique combination makes the Arteon one of the most attractive new products in its segment. Exterior designThanks to its long wheelbase, stretched roofline, coupé-style fastback design and a large rear hatch, this Gran Turismo provides more space and flexibility than conventional saloons.One of the most important design elements of the charismatic new Arteon is the front section. Standout features include a bonnet that extends a long way forward and partially over both wings and a radiator grille that encompasses the vehicle's full width. The LED headlights and daytime running lights, fitted as standard, combine with the chrome-plated crossbars of the radiator grille and bonnet. The result is a front-end design that is bold and commanding.There is no Volkswagen radiator grille that is wider or deeper than the one on this Gran Turismo, which will undoubtedly be the 'face' of a new Volkswagen generation.Designed in the style of a sports car are the striking and powerful shoulder sections at the rear, the muscular wings and the flared wheel arches above the up-to-20-inch alloy wheels. This haunchy body style also underscores the athletic orientation of Arteon's design.The Gran Turismo will be available in two exclusive equipment lines: the 'Elegance' and 'R-Line'. The name says it all. The standard configuration of the Arteon Elegance is focused primarily on the fusion of sophisticated styling and premium luxury. The Arteon R-Line, meanwhile, puts sportiness and premium class equipment at the heart of the vehicle's configuration – as is typical of all Volkswagen R-Line models. Interactive assistance systemsThe Arteon's innovative driver assistance and convenience systems match its avant-garde concept. Thanks to the navigation system's GPS and road data, the new dynamic cornering lights with predictive beam control anticipate when a bend is approaching and illuminate it before the driver actively turns into the bend.Based on the different orientations of these two equipment lines, the fastback model presents two vastly different personas. The range of standard equipment on R-Line includes features such as a panoramic sunroof, Air Care Climatronic 3-zone climate control, front sport seats with massage functionality and Nappa leather/Carbon style interior. Ideal foundation for dynamism The new Arteon sits on the Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB), meaning its engine is transversely mounted in the front. This creates space. A long wheelbase of 2 841 mm spans between the two axles. Accordingly, the body overhangs of the 4 862 mm long fastback model are short and concise. The Arteon is 1 427 mm high and 1 871 mm wide. These dimensional interrelationships deliver truly dynamic proportions – a visual starting point for Volkswagen designers.The overall car design develops from the active bonnet (with integrated safety mechanism for pedestrian protection) and the interconnected grille. “It is one of the largest bonnets in the entire Volkswagen Group,” according to Tobias Sühlmann. The Volkswagen exterior designer explains further: “It is really like that of a sports car. When you open the bonnet you see the wheel housing shells.”“That is unconventional for a car of this type,” he adds.The shoulder section is athletic and muscular. Viewed from the rear, it is easy to see just how dominant the shoulder sections of this fastback are. The muscular form stretches to the side and into the rear bodywork. Interior designThe interactive and digitised interfaces include optional high-tech features such as the Active Info Display which is standard on the R-Line (fully digitalised instruments) and a head-up display.Volkswagen has developed new infotainment systems (6.5 to 9.2 inch). The new top system, the Discover Pro, has a tablet-like glass surface. It manages its tasks efficiently and entirely without analogue buttons. The 9.2-inch display is also equipped with intuitive gesture control.The way in which a line, designed as a single visual unit of the dashboard and door shoulders, appears to wrap around the five passengers like a cocoon is unconventional and unique. The central design element of the dashboard is an innovative air vent – designed as a functional yet decorative element – that extends across the entire width of the interior like a band. This impression is completed by fine chrome trim strips on the vent louvres, which create a visual link to the cross-bars of the newly developed Arteon radiator grille. Safety techAdaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Front Assist and City Emergency Braking; the latest generation now also integrates speed limits (camera based) and navigation data into its control.In the event of a collision with a pedestrian or cyclist, the active bonnet of the new Arteon is raised in a matter of seconds. By triggering this hinge, the end of the bonnet next to the windscreen lifts up by around 60 mm, which increases the deformation space across very hard parts of the cylinder block and provides a cushion in the event of a collision, particularly for the victim's head – this is standard across the range.DrivetrainsThe new Arteon is launching with two turbocharged direct fuel injection engines. The diesel engine delivers 130 kW, while the powerful TSI delivers 206 kW.All of the engines are only available with an automated dual clutch gearbox (DSG). The TSI engine also has 4MOTION all-wheel drive as standard. The diesel models have front-wheel drive. Dynamic Chassic Control is standard across the range. Joy cometh in JulyWe have it on good authority that a consignment of Arteons is presently en route from the factory in Germany, and dealers have already received training on this exciting new model.Projections are that it will be launched locally by mid-July and should start around the N$600 000 mark. Watch the press for more details.

New VW Arteon unveiled

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Republikein 2025-12-19

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New VW Arteon unveiled

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