Volkswagen launches new Arteon in the UK priced from £34,305
Replacing the old CC, the Arteon is a four-door Coupe with a focus on interior space and rakish looks
Volkswagen has revealed UK prices and specs for the new Arteon – the replacement for the curvy Passat-based CC, which was revealed in full earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show. Order books for the stylish fastback coupe have opened today, and the Arteon range starts at £34,305.
That sum nets you a 148bhp, 2-litre TDI diesel model in Elegance spec, mated to a seven-speed DSG. While lower-spec models will become available soon – including a manual gearbox version with the same engine and a smaller, 1.5-litre TSI petrol – they’re not currently on sale, and so for now this 2-litre TDI marks the entry-point to the Arteon range. The top end, meanwhile, is occupied by the higher-powered 237bhp 2-litre diesel – it costs £39,170 in Elegance trim. The only other engine currently available is a 276bhp 2-litre turbocharged petrol, priced from £38,755 in Elegance trim.
Elegance trim is offered as standard with VW’s Active Info Display in place of traditional dials, a large, eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, 18-inch alloys, LED headlights, leather upholstery, cruise and climate control.
Stepping across to more dynamic-looking R-Line trim will bring a modest price increase of £785, which will contribute to a slightly more aggressive-looking body kit and larger alloy wheels.
Options are limited to the usual suspects like a panoramic glass roof, alloy wheels of up to 20-inches in diameter, massaging front seats and an upgraded stereo.
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Volkswagen has updated its ‘family face’ for the Arteon, with distinctive chrome-plated crossbars for the radiator grille and leading edge of the bonnet. All the front lines extend through the radiator grille, and the lines are continued in the LED headlights. The bonnet itself is one of the largest Volkswagen has ever fitted to a car, and encompasses the entire front end of the car plus the wheel arches.
A character line runs down the side of the Arteon, starting with the radiator grille and running through the car’s strong shoulder line to the taillights. The sloping roofline completes the coupe look.
The Arteon is based on VW’s MQB platform, and that allows for a selection of transversely-mounted four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. Power outputs range from 148bhp to 276bhp, and the petrol range will kick off with the brand-new 148bhp 1.5-litre TSI Evo engine already seen in the updated VW Golf. It's joined by a 187bhp 2.0-litre, plus a powerful 276bhp 2.0-litre range topper.
Diesels are all 2.0-litre TDI units, offering up 148bhp, 187bhp and 237bhp. All engines are available with VW’s DSG gearbox, too, and higher-end models feature the automatic as standard. 4MOTION four-wheel drive also comes as standard with the most powerful petrol and diesel engines. Those wanting a sportier look can opt for R-line trim, which tops the trim levels, sitting above Elegance and base models. Not all of these engine and trim combinations are available at launch, however.
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Inside, the Arteon offers all the latest VW Group technology. The dash features a full-width air vent which VW claims cocoons the passengers in the interior. Unlike the CC, the Arteon features three seats in the back. Rear passengers get plentiful legroom, while the boot offers up 563 litres of space – over 100 litres more than a BMW 4-series Gran Coupe – accessed through a large hatchback rather than a narrow saloon-style opening.
