You’re looking at the brand new face of the Volkswagen model. That, above and past being a rival for added-desirability executive options such as the Audi A5 Sportback and a alternative for the old Passat-based VW CC, is what the Arteon 5-door hatchback represents. Except that VW calls this a "fastback" as a result of hatchbacks are, by and large, smaller, cheaper and far more unusual. After all they are. Where the Arteon leads, at the least in styling phrases, much of the remainder of Volkswagen's passenger automobile vary will follow. Let’s wait and see if that’s essentially good news. The Arteon’s grille and headlight styling will likely be significantly influential, VW says. The way in which these horizontal grille bars run seamlessly into the headlights is meant to make the entrance end seem wider and more impactful, serving to to provide this practical 5-seater the visible presence of a sportscar. Those curvy rear haunches, blistered wheel arches and sharp physique creases are there to achieve the identical effect.
Likewise the availability of an optionally available 20-inch alloy wheel for individuals who want one (naturally, VW needed imposing wheels on the cars in its press demonstration fleet). Get used to this face as VW plans to slap it on a lot of its upcoming fashions. It’s at this point that a diplomatic reviewer would usually reserve judgement on a car’s aesthetics and crack directly on with issues much less subjective. Within the steel the Arteon is short on visual charisma and distinctiveness to my eyes; it’s sensible sufficient if a bit unimaginative and half-hearted. You may make your individual mind up, in fact. What bits does it use? The MQB platform is used for the Arteon, its consolation and flexibility effectively-revered throughout the lineup that makes use of it (Golf, Tiguan, Passat). The automobile will probably be available with in a choice of three turbocharged petrol engines and a trio of turbodiesels in many international markets, as well as handbook or twin-clutch gearboxes and both front- or four-wheel drive. But VWSA is but to resolve how broadly it’ll flesh out the Arteon range - and, presumably, how a lot the car may be allowed to cannibalise Passat sales.
As a more trendy possibility than the Passat, it's doubtless that the highest-of-the-vary 206 kW 2.0-litre TSI petrol and 130 kW 2.0-litre turbocharged TDI will make the journey right here, each getting seven-speed DSG transmissions. Prices are also nonetheless to be confirmed, but we anticipate that it'll start at round R500k. How is it totally different from the CC? And one of many ways the Arteon will justify that worth, where the previous CC definitely didn’t, is the old-fashioned manner: with dimension. This is a relatively lengthy and vast automobile; it appears to be like huge sufficient to be approaching R50k-worth, to put it merely. Up entrance, the seats of our "Elegance"-spec take a look at automobile were snug and adjustable, and the seating place lower and more enveloping than in a Passat. The Arteon’s door consoles rise a lot larger at your shoulder than its sister car’s, its roofline staying decrease and its glasshouse slimmer, leaving quite a big B-pillar to peer round when you’re overtaking and pulling out of oblique junctions.
The interior is almost an ideal copy and paste of the brand new Golf. Some differentiation may have gone a long strategy to building the Arteon brand name. Onboard know-how is considered one of the key prongs of the car’s enchantment, VW’s pondering being that youthful buyers probably care more about refined safety and infotainment expertise than perfect 50:50 weight distribution or some trendy pastiche of century-outdated European luxurious. It certainly seems a sensible philosophy - however it’s debatable if it’s an actual selling point for this automobile. How does it drive? There may be few complaints or reservations concerning the slickness of the Arteon’s driving expertise. With its mechanical refinement and the constant obliging lightness of its controls, the automotive feels each inch the trendy Volkswagen. The car’s experience is laudably quiet on a stage surface, too, even on these elective 20-inch wheels and low-profile tyres. 20-inch wheels might solely be an option however they're surprisingly good over all however the harshest of bumps. But, whereas the better management over the car’s journey is welcome, what it quantities to is debatable. The Arteon is at its most effective when cocooning you from the world exterior with its typically supple ride and its isolated steering. Damper upgrade or no, there’s an unmistakable thump to the car’s trip when those 20-inch rims hit sharper bumps - though it’s tolerable. But when you select a firmer suspension preset searching for the driver engagement the car’s positioning guarantees and you’ll probably be left dissatisfied. The car’s "progressive" variable-charge energy steering picks up marginally more weight, however still feels starved of feel and its experience turns into choppier/only a bit of more intimately (or meaningfully) linked to the highway surface.
