Vanity is a expensive trait within the auto trade. Just ask any French car govt. Every few years some shiny spark at a mainstream model buys into the firm’s personal hype and proposes a move into the “lucrative premium market”. Billions of euros later sellers find yourself with closely discounted behemoths taking up space on the forecourt. The Volkswagen Phaeton was a chief instance, although the bright spark there happened to be former chairman Ferdinand Piech and in his defence, he has a remarkable track record for achievement. The Phaeton, nonetheless, will go down in history as an costly gross sales flop. So when VW executives talk of a new flagship and describe the Arteon as a car that may win favour with customers from premium German rivals, alarm bells begin to sound. Yet the Arteon isn't an over-formidable vanity venture. It is a measured and very well-thought of effort. It’s sleek and surprisingly spacious, one thing that can’t be mentioned for many of its premium rivals.
You're probably considering - isn’t that only a fancy Passat, similar to the previous CC variants, but executives on the German automobile giant are at pains to elucidate why the Arteon is way more. First up is the styling. There isn't a question that this is a sensible-trying offering and the coupe silhouette shares traits with the likes of the Mercdes CLS and even the Porsche Panamera. This is an effective-wanting automotive. Next is its dimension. That is an enormous car. While it’s constructed on the firm’s award-successful platform - and definitely dips closely into the Passat components bin, it’s visibly more practical than any related coupes on the market. Engineers added 5cm to the length and it exhibits within the cabin. Not only is boot area an impressive 563 litres - growing to a whopping 1,577 litres with the rear seats down - but rear seat legroom for 3 passengers claims to be greatest at school.
The automotive can also be noticeably wider than the current Passat, so three passengers can sit comfortably within the again without a squash, while even a gangly 6-foot-plus passenger won't be rubbing knees against the entrance seats. We’ve always been impressed with the Skoda Superb’s unimaginable rear legroom, but this automobile appears to be close to matching it. For this kind of comfort to be offered in a automotive with these seems is uncommon indeed. The traditional recipe is for operate to take the lead over kind in household saloons and the format to flip when a coupe is built. Not this time: the Arteon delivers strongly on both counts. Up to now, so flagship. Prices for the brand new Arteon will begin at €43,295 for the 2-litre 150bhp diesel. This is the mainstay engine in the range, though 190bhp and 240bhp variations are also on supply at the highest grade R-Line specification.
Opt for seven-velocity DSG automated over six-speed manual prices an extra €2,200, although your CO2 emissions solely rises by 1gm to 116gm/km, so there are not any tax implications. For a value comparability, the equal Passat begins at €36,270. We drove each the 150bhp diesel and a 2-litre 280bhp petrol. While VW engineers say the automotive was designed for 20-inch alloys, the journey on low profile tyres was disappointingly choppy within the diesel. However, the petrol was a lot smoother on the identical-sized wheels. We'll reserve judgement on the Arteon’s ride high quality till the car arrives in Ireland later this month. When it comes to performance, definitely the petrol was extra peppy, but the diesel was up to the job, even in this big car. It’s a wonderfully viable choice for long journeys and most consumers won’t have to opt for bigger output. And while it is significantly costlier, the impressive DSG computerized is finest suited to the Arteon’s Gran Turismo traits. When it comes to trim, customary features embrace LED lights entrance and rear, adaptive cruise management, a system that reads street signs, VW’s latest infotainment system and App Connect. It also has parking sensors and 18-inch alloys.
The adaptive cruise control is noteworthy, for it not solely adjusts speeds consistent with surrounding visitors, but in addition reads speed restrict signs and slows or accelerates to stay inside the boundaries. In fact you possibly can modify your self from the toggle switch on the wheel, but it means cruise control is way more useful in urban areas. The system also ties in with the Sat-Nav in order that it is aware of when a roundabout is developing, or a bend or junction, and modify speeds accordingly. Elegance trim - for an extra €2,700 and beginning at €45,995 - adds a rearview digital camera, energetic info show and voice management system, along with a couple of trim touches. R-Line - including an extra €1,800 and starting at €47,795 - options further trim touches, including 19-inch black alloys. Should you like the R-Line aesthetics you could most likely justify the spend, however I believe the cash can be higher spent on choosing your personal most well-liked additions from the choices listing. The Arteon’s inside is a weak point, for it doesn’t mirror the firm’s flagship ambitions for the automotive. Despite all of the hype, the cabin is a mix of current Passat and VW Golf fittings. We might have anticipated better for the worth. It’s a disgrace as a result of the Arteon delivers in nearly every other respect. But it’s a significant flaw, for the premium patrons Volkswagen are vying for with this automotive will even be perusing the Audi catalogue. There, an A5 4-door Sportback SE with the identical 2-litre 150bhp engine begins at €47,350. Premium consumers are flocking to the crossover market these days, however VW executives still believe there's plenty of room within the market for its new household coupe. Brand snobbery shall be an issue and most mainstream manufacturers have come a cropper making an attempt to play within the premium market. Nevertheless, the Arteon’s spectacular practicality ought to win out against rivals.
