Accompanying the sophisticated fastback sheet metal and elaborate design detailing of the new Volkswagen Arteon is a "keep it simple’’ positioning strategy.
The new $74,990 flagship for the Volkswagen car line-up hits the New Zealand market in a single variant — the top-of-the-range R-Line which delivers 2.0-litre turbocharged performance, a seven-speed DSG dual clutch transmission and 4Motion all-wheel-drive along with an "all boxes ticked’’ specification.
"We could have had four variants but sometimes you have to focus on one thing and do it well,’’ said Volkswagen general manager Tom Ruddenklau at the Arteon press launch.
Volkswagen isn’t taking too many risks with the premium-only focus. The brand has already found the R-Line performance and equipment theme is the most popular choice for its hugely successful new Tiguan.
And a con-current move will reduce model complexity by bidding farewell to all four versions of the Passat sedan as a response to the continuing decline in medium sedan segment sales. Passat wagon models and two versions of the high-ride Passat Alltrack remain part of the New Zealand line-up.
Arteon also restores luxury four-door coupe elegance to the Volkswagen range as a successor to the CC (previously Passat CC) model.
R-Line specification equips the five-door Arteon with the 206kW direct injection and turbocharged 2.0-litre engine that has 350Nm of torque available from 1700-5600rpm. Volkswagen claims 0-100km/h acceleration in 5.6secs and an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h. The combined cycle fuel consumption is rated at 7.3 litres per 100km.
The output figures, flexible performance, responsive seven-speed shifting and assured 4Motion grip levels give the Arteon a generous serve of grand tourer flavour on the highway while the DCC Adaptive Chassis Control allows the suspension response of the car to be driver-tuned.
The Arteon R-Line rides on 19-inch alloy wheels with 245/40 R19 tyres and buyers can also choose the Rosario 20-inch alloy wheels with 245/35 R20 tyres in either dark graphite or silver finish as a $2000 option.
The Arteon is another new vehicle line built on the Volkswagen Group MQB transverse modular architecture. It provides generous rear seat legroom and 563 litres of boot space while also being equipped with a full-size spare wheel.
Virtually every detail of both its frontal design, rear graphics and the interior detailing place the emphasis on the width of the car and there’s a low frontal area, a contoured silhouette and frameless windows to reinforce the coupe theme.
A feature highlight of the Arteon are the 14-way adjustable ergoComfort front seats with nappa leather trim and the driver's seat features a massage function.
The Active Info Display with 12.3-inch TFT display, Head-up display, Area View 360-degree camera system, LED headlights with high beam assist, three-zone climate control, privacy glass, tyre pressure loss warning, security alarm, electronic parking brake and the KESSY keyless locking and ignition system with a powered boot lid are standard equipment.
Also standard is the Discover Pro infotainment system with 9.2-inch touchscreen featuring satellite navigation. A three-spoke leather sports steering wheel provides gear shift paddles.
Driver assist technologies are based on Volkswagen’s second generation Emergency Assist system with Lane Assist, Side Assist with Rear Traffic Alert, Forward Collision Warning with City Emergency Brake, Adaptive Cruise Control with Traffic Jam Assist and Rest Assist driver fatigue warning functions.
In addition to the 20-inch wheel choices the other options for Arteon are a panorama sunroof priced at $2500 and a 700-watt Dynaudio 11-speaker sound system upgrade which costs $3000. There’s also an Oryx White Pearl paint option which is $2000.
Alongside the Arteon introduction the Passat nameplate continues on a line-up of wagon models offering TSI petrol engine versions in 132kW and 206kW output choices and 2.0-litre diesel versions in 140kW TDI and 176kW Bi-TDI choices priced between $49,240 and $71,990.
The high-ride Passat Alltrack starts at $59,990 with the 140kW TDI engine and the 176kW Bi-TDI version is $69,740.
