New Volkswagen Arteon launches in SA, we have prices

The totally new developed model emphasises emotionality in the premium class.

In addition to a new and emotive outline, Volkswagen is also introducing with the Arteon a highly expressive, horizontally accentuated brand look.

The bars of the radiator grille extend into the three-dimensional front headlights, while LED lighting elements additionally emphasise the striking layout and demonstrate dominance.

The five-door gran tourismo impresses through revolutionary design and great practical value in use.

While the doors’ frameless windows reflect the typical stylistic elements of a grand tourer, the top-hinged and wide-opening tailgate provides optimum access to the huge boot.

The name Arteon – with the emphasis put on the first syllable – is made up of two component parts: ‘Art’ describes the fastback’s harmonious lines and emotionality.

The ending ‘eon’ identifies it, in the same way as Volkswagen’s top model for the Chinese market, the Phideon, as a premium model.

The Arteon is Volkswagen’s top passenger model and the new Volkswagen gran turismo is produced at the German plant in Emden.

Combining avant-garde design with a high level of versatility was the key objective for designers and developers of the Arteon.

This resulted in an interior architecture which is exceptionally spacious – with ample head and leg room at all seats – which is extraordinary for this body form.

Key design elements of the charismatic Arteon include its completely new front end, in which the LED headlights and daytime running lights merge with the chrome-plated crossbars of the radiator grille and the bonnet.

The car’s remarkable shoulder section is another defining feature of its design.

The five-seat Arteon is an ideal avant-garde alternative – a car for people who want a five-door fastback with an accomplished, elegant design and progressive technology.

Other equipment features making their debut in the Arteon include the latest generation of driver assistance systems. Interesting features have been added that are typically reserved for luxury vehicles.

This unique combination makes the Arteon one of the most attractive products in its segment.

EXTERIOR DESIGN

The athletic lines of the Arteon embody a highly functional overall concept. Form and function find common ground here in a progressive way.

Thanks to its long wheelbase, stretched roofline, coupé-style fastback design and a large rear hatch, this gran turismo provides more space and flexibility than conventional saloons.

Perfect proportions. The new Arteon is based on the Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB). This configuration naturally creates space.

A long wheelbase of 2,841 mm spans the two axles. Accordingly, the body overhangs of the 4,862 mm long fastback model are short and concise.

The Arteon is 1,871 mm wide and 1,427 mm tall. These dimensional relationships deliver truly dynamic proportions – a visual starting point for Volkswagen designers.

Charismatic Arteon exhudes dynamism.

One of the most important design elements of the charismatic new Arteon is the front section. Stand-out features include a bonnet that extends a long way forward and partially over both wings and a radiator grille that encompasses the vehicle’s full width.

The LED headlights and daytime running lights, fitted as standard, combine with the chrome-plated cross-bars of the radiator grille and bonnet. The result is a front-end design that would be a match even for a high-calibre sports car.

Pure sporting doctrine. Designed in the style of a sports car are the striking and powerful shoulder sections at the rear, the muscular wings and the flared wheel arches above the up-to-20-inch alloy wheels.

Seen in silhouette between the axles is a waistline that also follows a pure sports car design doctrine.

Innovative, economical and perfectly suited to everyday use.

The Arteon is re-interpreting the ‘gran turismo’ concept with its combination of avant-garde design, sporty charisma, great flexibility and generous space.

Further aspects that would be considered plus points in any vehicle class include excellent rear legroom and luggage space.

On the technical front, the new Volkswagen impresses with two highly efficient engines, front-wheel or all-wheel drive, plus digitalised displays and controls.

Further features include an Active Info Display (fully digital and programmable instruments), a head-up display and the new Discover Pro infotainment system with a 9.2-inch glass screen and gesture control.

Interactive assistance systems.

The Arteon’s innovative driver assistance and convenience systems match its avant-garde concept.

Thanks to the navigation system’s GPS and road data, the new dynamic cornering lights with predictive beam control anticipate when a bend is approaching and illuminate it before the driver actively turns into the bend.

Two lines facilitate a high degree of personalisation.

Despite its progressive concept, the Arteon is a car available at an attractive price with a high degree of value. The gran turismo will be available in two exclusive equipment lines: the ‘Elegance’ and ‘R-Line’.

The name says it all. The standard configuration of the Arteon Elegance is focused primarily on the fusion of sophisticated styling and premium luxury.

The Arteon R-Line, meanwhile, puts sportiness and premium class equipment at the heart of the vehicle’s configuration – as is typical of all Volkswagen R-Line models.

Based on the different orientations of these two equipment lines, the fastback model presents two vastly different personas. The range of standard equipment on R-Line includes features such as a panoramic sunroof, Air Care Climatronic 3-zone climate control, front sport seats with massage functionality and Nappa leather/Carbon style interior.

Dynamic proportions as ideal foundation. The new Arteon sits on the Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB). Transverse stands here for engines that are transversely mounted in the front. This creates space. A long wheelbase of 2,841 mm spans between the two axles. Accordingly, the body overhangs of the 4,862 mm long fastback model are short and concise. The Arteon is 1,427 mm high and 1,871 mm wide. These dimensional interrelationships deliver truly dynamic proportions – a visual starting point for Volkswagen designers.

The design of the Arteon develops from the front end. Design overcomes class barriers. Viewing the Arteon’s front end without focusing on the details, the first impression is that of a dynamic gran turismo that borders on being both a sports model and a saloon – a gran turismo. But as soon as the details are considered it becomes clear how expressive and logical, harmonious and precise the design is. That is because good design is no accident. Rather, it is a symbiosis of creativity, precision and a high level of handcrafting art. In the case of a car, there is the added challenge that breathtaking ideas also need to be industrially viable. In the Arteon, these parameters merge into a gran turismo whose design overcomes class barriers.

Bonnet like that of a sports car. The overall car design develops from the active bonnet (with integrated safety mechanism for pedestrian protection) and the interconnected grille. The fact is that in the automotive world, a bonnet that extends over the entire front end up to the wheel arches is primarily a feature of classic sports cars. “It is one of the largest bonnets in the entire Volkswagen Group”, according to Tobias Sühlmann. The Volkswagen exterior designer explains further: “It is really like that of a sports car. When you open the bonnet you see the wheel housing shells.

That is unconventional for a car of this type.“

LEDs and radiator grille merge. All of the contoured lines of the bonnet are extended to the radiator grille – and vice versa. The grille, in turn, emphasises the significant width of the Arteon in its cross-slats. There is no Volkswagen radiator grille that is wider or deeper than the one on this gran turismo – it is the ‘face’ of a new Volkswagen generation. The upper cross-bars enclose the LED headlights, and they simultaneously use finely integrated LED light conductors to perform the functions of daytime running lights and position lights, and, in the R-Line version version, the indicator function. The lighting elements, radiator grille and bonnet now form one harmonious unit. The bonnet, which extends slightly over the LED headlights makes a tremendous contribution towards the superior qualities of the front-end design. The bonnet lip runs over the headlights while continuing the lines of the radiator grille further into the sides and to the rear of the Arteon. On the sides, the sharp bonnet lines over the wheel wells give the Arteon an extremely low and sporty look.

Side profile of a superior gran turismo. Elegant, low, coupé-like. “We have a line”, says Klaus Bischoff, Volkswagen Head of Design, “that runs through the entire car and brings the volume of the Arteon even closer to the ground. This line starts in the radiator grille at the front and runs cleanly over the side profile and into the tail lights.” On the car’s sides it creates what is known as the character line. At the rear, it develops into a sharp undercut, which visually reduces the Arteon’s height and carries the strong shoulder section upwards. Above this, there is the long line of windows (known as a DLO – daylight opening) that extends into the C pillar. The door windows themselves are frameless, while the DLO is surrounded by an elegant chrome frame. The DLO gives the Arteon an elegant, low and coupé-like look together with the character line that runs from the bonnet rearwards into the tail lights.

Rear section follows styling of a classic sports car.  The shoulder section is athletic and muscular. Viewed from the rear, it is easy to see just how dominant the shoulder sections of this fastback are. The muscular form stretches to the side and into the rear bodywork. From a slightly elevated perspective this produces a rear end design which, in its lines – a coupé-shaped glasshouse (roof and glass surfaces) on strong flanks – follows the example of a classic sports car and yet offers the volume of a business class gran turismo. Also creating a powerful image from this perspective is the striking width of the Arteon. Creating an unmistakable design at night are the concise LED tail lights with a dynamic indicator function.

Very expressive colours. The styling lines of the Arteon are as precise as they are dynamic, and they are accentuated by many new exterior body colours. These include the distinctive hues “Curcuma Yellow”, “Atlantic Blue” and “Chili Red”. Fitting in well with the progressive character of the Arteon is “Curcuma Yellow”, for instance – a colour inspired by a sense of lightness and sunshine, and which accentuates the sporty character of the new gran turismo.

INTERIOR DESIGN

Digital cockpit environment. The clean design, high level of ergonomic efficiency and numerous interactive interfaces between human and machine create a calm, elegant and progressive atmosphere in the new Arteon. The interactive and digitalised interfaces include optional
high-tech features such as the Active Info Display which is standard on the
R-Line (fully digitalised instruments) and a head-up display. Volkswagen has developed new infotainment systems (6.5 to 9.2 inch). The new top system, the Discover Pro, has a tablet-like glass surface. It manages its tasks efficiently, and entirely without analogue buttons. The 9.2-inch display is also equipped with intuitive gesture control.

Air vent band as a design statement. The way in which a line, designed as a single visual unit of the dashboard and door shoulders, appears to wrap around the five passengers like a cocoon is unconventional and unique.

The horizontally oriented dashboard transitions homogeneously into the front door trim panels.

The team, led by Volkswagen Head of Interior Design, Tomasz Bachorski, designed the dashboard with a simplified layout that runs in a straight line with a clean and iconic design.

The central design element of the dashboard is an innovative air vent – designed as a functional yet decorative element – that extends across the entire width of the interior like a band.

This impression is completed by fine chrome trim strips on the vent louvres, which create a visual link to the cross-bars of the newly developed Arteon radiator grille.

Elegant ambient lighting. Beneath the air vent and a decorative panel there is an extremely low-profile ambient lighting strip that continues into the doors. Its wrap-around lighting effect defines the space and creates a soothing and pleasant ambience. The centre console fits in well with the Arteon’s avant-garde and sporty character. It ascends steeply towards the dashboard, as in a sports car, where it meets the climate controls and the latest generation infotainment systems. Ambient lighting is standard on the R-Line model in blue, white and orange.

Best in class legroom. In front, the driver and front passenger benefit from the excellent package provided by the Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB); a lot of space is created by the transversely mounted engine and the front axle that is forward positioned.

The long wheelbase of 2,841 mm is therefore used to create very spacious premium class accommodation for rear passengers.

Consider legroom, for instance: the figure of 1,016 mm attained here is the best in the competitive set. Rear headroom is also excellent thanks to the long roof. The two outer seat positions have the visual and ergonomic character of individual seats.

Colour & Trim. Sportiness and elegance are the dominant aspects of the Arteon. The Colour & Trim design area has also co-ordinated its selection of materials and colours to these aspects in the interior of this gran turismo. Two interior colour themes (black, dark grey and a combination of dark and light grey) match the range of exterior colours. In the Elegance, you get Titanium Black seats, instrument panel and carpets with a Mistral Grey headliner. In the R-Line, you get Titanium Black seats, instrument panel, carpets and headliner.

Safety systems – interactive technologies. The Arteon’s innovative driver assistance and convenience systems match its progressive overall concept.

The new or further developed systems are:

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)  with Front Assist and City Emergency Braking; the latest generation now also integrates speed limits (camera based) and navigation data into its control.

Active Bonnet; In the event of a collision with a pedestrian or cyclist, the active bonnet of the new Arteon is raised in a matter of seconds. This occurs once a message from the relevant sensors has been sent to the airbag control unit. This initiates the ignition of the pyrotechnic actuators, which, in turn, raise the active hinges in a matter of seconds. By triggering this hinge, the end of the bonnet next to the windscreen lifts up by around 60 mm, which increases the deformation space across very hard parts of the cylinder block and provides a cushion in the event of a collision, particularly for the victim’s head – this is standard across the range.

Head-up Display; The head-up display brings important driving information into your field of vision: directly in front of the windscreen – this feature is optional across the range.

Park Pacakage with Area View; Area View makes use of cameras positioned around the vehicle to create a 360 degree birds-eye view on the infotainment system display.

DRIVETRAINS

Efficient TSI and TDI engines.  The new Arteon is launching with two turbocharged direct fuel injection engines. All of the engines have four cylinders. The diesel engine delivers 130kW while the powerful TSI delivers 206kW.

Dual clutch gearbox for all versions. All of the engines are only available with an automated dual clutch gearbox (DSG). The TSI engine also has 4MOTION all-wheel drive as standard. The diesel models have front-wheel drive. Dynamic Chassic Control is standard across the range.

Diesel engine. The four-cylinder diesel 2.0 TDI with 130kW power output has 350 Nm of torque that is available between 1 608and 3 500rpm. The combined fuel consumption is 5.6 litres per 100 kilometers. The engine is available with a 6-speed DSG transmission.

Petrol engine. The top of the range petrol engine is the 2.0 TSI with 206kW power output. It has 350 Nm of torque that is available from 1 700 up to
5 600 rpm. The 0-100km/h sprint is achieved in 5.6 seconds and has top speed of 250km/h. The combined fuel consumption is 7.3 litres per
100 kilometres. The 206kW engine is only available with a 7-speed DSG transmission.

Equipment lines of the Arteon – elegant and sporty. The gran turismo will be available in two exclusive equipment lines: the ‘Elegance’ and ‘R-Line’. The standard configuration of the Arteon Elegance is focused primarily on sophisticated and classic styling features. The Arteon R-Line, meanwhile, puts sportiness even more at the heart of the vehicle’s configuration – as is typical of all Volkswagen R-Line models.

The  Arteon Elegance has the standard specifications:

Exterior:

• Chrome wing mirror caps
• LED tail lights with dynamic indicator light function
• 18-inch ‘Muscat’ alloy wheels
• Continuous chrome trim strip on lower bodywork
• Heated windscreen washer jets
• Chrome strips on side windows
• LED tail lights
• LED headlights with LED daytime running lights
• Alloy wheels (from 18-inch)
• Keyless Go locking system

Interior:

• Aluminium pedals
• Instruments, dashboard and door panels with individualised look and trim in brushed alluminium
• Contrast stitching on seat covers and floor mats
• Seat covers in Nappa leather
• Stainless steel door tread plates, front and rear
• Composition Media infotainment system, including eight loudspeakers, AUX-IN and USB (Apple-compatible)
• 3-zone electronically controlled air conditioning system
• Multifunction steering wheel in leather (with shift paddles on DSG models)
• Driver Alert System
• Progressive steering

The Arteon R-Line, in addition, includes the following features:

Exterior

• ‘C’-signature of the front air intakes in high-gloss black
• 19-inch ‘Montevideo’ alloy wheels
• Heated windscreen washer jets
• Unique R-Line bumpers
• Continuous chrome trim strip on lower bodywork
• Chrome-plated exhaust system tailpipes
• Black boot lid spoiler
• Privacy glass
• Power folding mirrors

Interior

• Leather sports multi-function steering wheel in R-Line design
• Aluminium pedals
• Roof liner in ‘Titanium Black’
• Stainless steel door tread plates front and rear with R-Line logo on front plates
• Nappa Leather/Carbon Style seats with R-Line logo
• Front seat heating

New Arteon Prices (VAT and emissions tax included)

2.0 TDI 130kW Elegance DSG                                               R599 900

2.0 TDI 130 kW R-Line DSG                                                  R649 900

2.0 TSI 206kW R-Line 4MOTION DSG                                  R699 900

The new Arteon comes standard with a 5 year/90 000km Maintenance Plan, 3 year/120 000km warranty, 12-year anti-corrosion warranty and space saver spare wheel. Service Interval is 15 000km.