There’s a divide among giant, near-luxury sedans. On one finish rest conservative, comfort-oriented vehicles such because the Buick LaCrosse and Toyota Avalon. On the opposite sit more trendy, enthusiast-leaning options such because the Kia Stinger and Nissan Maxima. Rather than committing to 1 perspective, the newest addition to the Volkswagen lineup takes the centrist’s approach and combines parts from each sides of the segment’s ideological spectrum. Welcome the 2019 Volkswagen Arteon. Because the spiritual successor to the Volkswagen CC, the Arteon wears slinky sheet metallic that blesses it with low-slung, coupe-like seems to be. A 5.0-inch longer wheelbase, 2.Three inches of further physique size, shorter front and rear overhangs, and a rakish rear hatch emphasize the model’s sultry styling relative to its hatch-much less predecessor. The Arteon’s massive footprint immediately advantages interior house, the place rear-seat passengers get pleasure from 40.2 inches of legroom: a mere tenth of an inch lower than the class-main Toyota Avalon and a considerable 2.9 inches higher than the old CC.
Headroom improves as properly, and the Arteon’s 37.Zero inches betters that of the CC by 0.Four inch. It’s nonetheless a smidge tight for these over six toes tall, but common-measurement passengers won’t complain about overhead space. Additionally, Volkswagen’s flagship model boasts a large 27.2 cubic ft of cargo space below its rear hatch, 3.9 cubes more than the Stinger’s hatch affords and a substantial 11.1 greater than the Avalon’s trunk. Folding the 60/40-break up rear seatback offers the Arteon with a crossover-like 55.0 cubic feet of cargo room. Unlike the CC, common-size passengers won’t complain about overhead area. 35,845 Arteon sports activities essentially the most costly beginning price in its section. No matter trim, each Arteon relies on a 268-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four for motivation. With little turbo lag and a considerable 258 pound-feet of torque available at a low 1,950 rpm, the 4-pot pushes the Arteon ahead with reasonable swiftness. An eight-velocity automated transmission is the one gearbox on provide and it fades into the background as it shortly and quietly channels the engine’s grunt to the ground.
1,800 possibility on SE and SEL models and comes commonplace on the highest-line SEL Premium. The setup works seamlessly and sends as much as 50 p.c of the car’s power to the rear axle. On the twisting mountain roads outdoors of Solvang, California, the all-wheel-drive Arteon SEL Premium predictably rotates round turns like a supersized Volkswagen Golf. No shock, really, given the Arteon and Golf both ride on the brand’s stiff MQB platform. Despite its forgiving experience quality, the Arteon remains to be reasonably gratifying to toss around. Further assisting the Arteon’s dealing with dynamics are its commonplace adaptive dampers that allow the hatch’s journey quality to go from cushy and comfy to firm but congenial at the push of a button. Actually, Volkswagen offers 12 totally different damper settings for the driver to select from, which looks like overkill given the moderate difference between the softest and stiffest setups (not to say this car’s center-floor status as a sports activities sedan).
Despite its forgiving journey quality, the Arteon remains to be reasonably enjoyable to toss around. No, the Arteon will not be as fast or partaking as the rear-wheel-drive-based mostly Kia Stinger. However, it’s more entertaining to drive than the likes of the Avalon or Maxima (admittedly, that’s not a excessive bar). Still, the Arteon isn’t freed from demerits. While the car’s forced induction 4-cylinder is a lot highly effective for most driving, I still ache for a hotter model with a powertrain that rivals the 365-hp twin-turbocharged V6 within the Stinger GT. 500). The Arteon R-Line actually seems to be the part of a tried and true sports sedan, even if its dynamics are much less reflective of this. Furthermore, the Arteon’s cabin is disappointingly plain. Although it’s lined in gentle-touch plastics and options prime-notch build high quality, the interior’s ambiance lacks the drama of the exterior, and the car’s nameless-trying insides fail to push any design boundaries. That stated, the Arteon is luxurious-car quiet at velocity, and Volkswagen’s infotainment setup stays an ergonomically pleasant system that shows crisp and clear graphics on its 8.0-inch sprint-mounted display screen and available 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. These are minor quibbles, though, and the Arteon generally succeeds as a flagship automobile for the Volkswagen brand.
This know-how, along with the usage of newly developed ultra-excessive-power steels, allows much of the chassis and body to be constructed from thinner and lighter elements with none loss in strength. Because of the extensive use of modern building methods and high- and extremely-excessive strength steels, the Atlas chassis manages to remain lightweight regardless of its upscale features and enhanced construction. Throughout the automotive, unimaginable attention to element has optimized components-such as the seats, air conditioning unit, and even the electrical architecture-to assist save weight. Atlas features independent suspension for all 4 wheels. Within the entrance, Atlas options a strut layout with coil springs and telescopic dampers, and at back, a multilink arrangement with coil springs and telescopic dampers. Volkswagen Atlas's braking system is comprised of 13.2-inch vented front discs and strong 12.2-inch rear discs with customary three-channel ABS with electronic brake stress distribution. The rack-and-pinion steering features electric energy assist and speed-sensitive variable steering help.
