VOLKSWAGEN

VOLKSWAGEN ARTEON SHOOTING BRAKE 2.0 TSI R 5dr 4MOTION DSG

Fuel

FuelPetrol

Transmission

TransmissionAutomatic

Acceleration

0 - 62 mph4.9s

WLTP - CO2 (g/km)

WLTP - CO2209 g/km

Volkswagen's sleek Arteon was launched as a Gran Turismo-style five-door hatch model in 2017 to head up the brand's range but it's remained a rare sight on our roads. Now it's been revised, there's the option of a 'Shooting Brake'-style estate and plug-in hybrid tech is available too, plus there's a top performance Arteon R variant.

COUPE DE GRACE

Volkswagen's Arteon continues to have lofty aspirations. Jonathan Crouch looks at the revised version

Ten Second Review

Volkswagen's sleek Arteon was launched as a Gran Turismo-style five-door hatch model in 2017 to head up the brand's range but it's remained a rare sight on our roads. Now it's been revised, there's the option of a 'Shooting Brake'-style estate and plug-in hybrid tech is available too, plus there's a top performance Arteon R variant.

Background

Uniqueness is a quality you usually have to pay royally for, especially when it comes to cars affordable enough for you and I to consider. Once upon a time, drivers seeking it in the Mondeo medium range market would pay a premium for a prestigious badge and feel themselves special with an Audi, a BMW or a Mercedes on the driveway. But in an age where so many now do just that, you begin to wonder these days just how special that would be. So what if uniqueness - specialness - in a car of this kind were to be not in the badge on your keyfob but in the design of the car itself? Something very different from anything else you could buy for the money. Something like this, the Volkswagen Arteon, now much improved. Quite a few of the underpinnings used in this model are borrowed from humbler members of the Volkswagen line-up - but then that's also the case with obvious rivals. It's the dressing that counts, which in this case is very smart indeed and built around a whole raft of efficient high technology. Let's check it out.

Driving Experience

The engine range kicks off with a 150PS 1.5 TSI petrol unit with 6-speed manual transmission, but most will want the 2.0 TDI diesel, which in base form comes with 7-speed DSG auto gearboxes and a 150PS output. There's also a high power biturbo 2.0 TDI 200PS diesel option. Alternatively, there's a 190PS 2.0 TSI petrol unit, also with a DSG auto 'box. There are no mild hybrid powertrains because they won't work with this car's MQB platform. Beyond the mainstream powerplants, there are also a couple of engines new to Arteon buyers. The Arteon eHybrid uses the plug-in hybrid powertrain from the Passat GTE, a 160PS 1.4 litre four-cylinder turbo petrol powerplant mated to a 115PS electric motor giving a combined output of 215PS via a DSG auto gearbox. This plug-in model offers an electric driving range of 33 miles and can run in all electric form at up to 87mph. At the top of the range is the Arteon R, which uses a 2.0-litre TSI turbo petrol engine with 320PS, a 7-speed DSG auto gearbox and an updated 4MOTION four-wheel-drive system. Refinement is excellent, as is ride quality thanks to a specially developed four-link independent rear suspension set-up that can be embellished with a sophisticated 'DCC' 'Dynamic Chassis Control' adaptive damping system. You won't really want to go throwing this Volkswagen about: it isn't really that kind of car. But what it lacks when it comes to driving on its door handles it more than makes up for with exemplary trans-continental-style cruising ability.

Design and Build

The Arteon now comes in either Fastback or Shooting Brake estate forms. The look of the Fastback has been enhanced with a restyled grille, revised LED headlights and new alloy wheel designs. The Shooting Brake version gets a completely separate design from the B-pillar back, with a lengthier roof line, a sleeker glasshouse and pronounced haunches over the rear wheels, plus an angled tailgate. As before, Arteon buyers get frameless doors and a plunging rear roofline, the aesthetics based on the 'Sport Coupe Concept' prototype that Volkswagen showed in Geneva back in 2015. The long bonnet is certainly eye-catching, dipping into the wheelarches and meeting the smartly stylish LED headlights with seamlessly integrate into the wide, horizontal grille, creating a look that Volkswagen says will be seen in many of its next generation models. The five-door coupe roofline of the Fastback is paired with a prominent character line running from the headlights to the tail-lights, creating distinctive shoulder haunches towards the rear. At the wheel, it all looks much classier than a Passat. There's a re-designed dashboard with a smarter upper section, a standard 10.25 inch digital instrument display, a revised steering wheel and Volkswagen's most up-to-date infotainment system, offered either with 8-inch or 9.2-inch touchscreens. In the rear, there's much more passenger space than the current Passat can provide. At first glance, there's not much difference between the body styles when it comes to boot space - 563-litres in the Fastback and 565-litres in the Shooting Brake. Push the rear bench forward and it's 1,557-litres in the Fastback and 1,632-litres in the Shooting Brake. But Volkswagen points out that space above the beltline isn't included in these figures, so the Shooting Brake's load area is actually quite a lot larger.

Market and Model

Prices start at around £32,000 and, for the 2.0 TDI diesel variants most will want, range from around £34,000 up to around £43,000. There's a premium of around £1,100 for the Shooting Brake estate body style that Volkswagen expects will account for the majority of sales. Across the range, there are three trim levels - 'SE Nav' (for the hatch model only), then 'Elegance' and 'R-Line' for both body styles. 'Elegance'-trim models are marked out by their 18-inch 'Almere' alloy wheels and gain keyless entry across both body styles, a rear-view camera and Travel Assist - Volkswagen's adaptive cruise control and lane keeping system. On the inside, the Arteon 'Elegance' benefits from luxuries such as a leather-wrapped capacitive steering wheel with touch controls, heated seats, and voice control, while drivers can also choose between driving profiles for a customisable driving experience. The Arteon 'R-Line' offers distinctive, 19-inch 'Montevideo' alloys, while dual trapezoidal exhaust tips on each side of the bumper are moulded into a standard R-Line body kit, for an assertive, sporting appearance. A sunroof is standard on all 'R-Line' cars, while the Shooting Brake gains a standard-fit panoramic sunroof. Both cars also receive rear tinted glass and interior ambient lighting with 30 colour options. Across the entire range, all Arteon models feature Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), 3Zone climate control, Digital Cockpit, LED headlights, Wireless App Connect and Volkswagen's 'We Connect Plus' package, which adds live data services to the standard 8-inch Discover Navigation system.

Cost of Ownership

As you'd expect, the Arteon is extremely class-competitive in terms of WLTP running costs. The 2.0 TDI 150PS variant that most will choose manages up to 57.6mpg on the WLTP combined cycle and 128g/km of WLTP-rated CO2 in DSG auto form - not bad for a 148mph luxury conveyance. For the 190PS 2.0 TSI petrol variant, the figures are 38.2mpg and 168g/km. As for servicing, well as usual with Volkswagen models, there's a choice of either 'Fixed' or 'Flexible' maintenance packages. You'll choose the 'Fixed' approach if you cover less than 10,000 miles a year and with this, the car will typically be looked at every twelve months. If your daily commute is more than 25 miles and your Arteon will regularly be driven on longer distance journeys, you'll be able to work with a 'Flexible' regime that can see you travelling up to 18,000 miles between garage visits - or every two years, whichever is sooner. And warranties? Well the standard package is three years and 60,000 miles. Plus your car will come with three years of pan-European Roadside Assistance that has no mileage restriction. The paintwork warranty lasts for three years and, as you'd expect, this model is protected by a 12-year anti-corrosion package.

Summary

So, can this improved Arteon really justify its premium pricing? If you can afford it, then I'm guessing you'll think so. The idea of a practically-sized four-door coupe or stylised estate might still sound like a contradiction in terms but it's been interpreted here in a form that's created one of the classiest models that Volkswagen makes. Style, it seems, is not about the badge on your bootlid. But if you're a potential Arteon buyer, then you probably already knew that anyway......

  • Rain sensor
  • Front and rear electric windows
  • Heated windscreen washer jets
  • Heated rear windscreen
  • Rear windscreen washer and wiper with interval delay
  • Front windscreen washers and wipers with 4x interval delay
  • Heat insulating side and rear windows

  • Electronic stability control (ESC) and Electromechanical brake booster
  • Hill start assist
  • Electronic parking brake
  • Front disc brakes
  • Anti-lock Brake System + Electronic Brakeforce Distribution + Brake assist
  • Rear disc brakes
  • R specific blue brake calipers
  • 18" performance brakes
  • R performance torque vectoring

  • R specific floor mats with R-logo and stitching

  • App connect including wireless CarPlay
  • Voice activation for telephone and navigation

  • Progressive steering
  • Dynamic road sign display
  • Driver alert system with fatigue detection
  • Adaptive cruise control (ACC) with speed limiter, front assist (reacting vehicles pedestrian and cyclists) and follow to stop
  • Travel assist - Lane keeping assist and traffic jam assist
  • Side scan lane change assist including rear cross traffic alert
  • Camera for warning system
  • Driver profile selection including ECO function
  • R driving mode button on steering wheel

  • Hands free boot opening
  • Press and drive key

  • Emergency assist
  • Speedo and rev counter, electronic odometer, trip, service interval display and exterior temperature gauge
  • eCall - Emergency call service for SOS calls to emergency response
  • Digital cockpit with 10.25" high resolution TFT display screen with customisable menus and information

  • Body coloured top and matt black lower door mirrors with integrated indicators
  • Electric folding door mirror, adjustable, heated with front passenger exterior mirror lowering function
  • Auto dimming interior rear view mirror

  • Aluminium decorative inserts
  • Chrome trim on lower doors in front and rear
  • Leatherette insert on door and side trim panel in foam film
  • Piano black decorative inserts in centre console
  • R specific decor inlay aluminium black carbon

  • Start/stop function with battery regeneration

  • Premium USB cable in choice of either Apple or Android smartphone compatibility

  • Front and rear stainless steel door sill protection
  • Chrome side window surrounds
  • Body colour door handles
  • Body colour side skirt
  • R specific radiator grille
  • R logo on radiator grille, side panels and rear
  • Left and right chrome effect twin trapezoid exhaust tailpipe surrounds
  • R specific rear bumper and R specific diffusor in black
  • Panoramic sunroof with tilting and sliding including integrated roller blind
  • R Line design body coloured bumpers

  • LED rear combination lamp with dynamic indicators
  • Rear fog lamp on one side and reversing lamp on both sides
  • R logo light projection
  • LED rear number plate lights
  • High level 3rd brake light
  • Dynamic headlight range control

  • Air care climatronic 3 Zone electronic air conditioning with automatic air recirculation

  • Chrome trim on upper and lower air vents extending across cockpit
  • R performance leather wrapped heated multi-function sports steering wheel with touch controls and larger shifting paddles, blue stitching and R-logo
  • Pedals and footrest in stainless steel
  • 12V socket on rear of front centre armrest
  • 12V socket in front centre console
  • Removable luggage compartment cover
  • Nappa leather upholstery with side bolster and headrest
  • Black roof lining
  • Front cupholders x 2
  • Glovebox
  • Height/reach adjust steering wheel

  • Front footwell illumination
  • Luggage compartment lighting
  • 30 colours interior ambient light
  • Two LED front reading light

  • Warning buzzer for seatbelts if unfastened
  • Driver airbag and front passenger airbags with deactivation switch including driver knee airbags
  • Pro active occupant protection to detect critical situations with elevated accident potential from the front
  • Rear precrash preventive occupant protection
  • Three point height adjust front seatbelts + pretensioners
  • Warning triangle
  • Two tone horn
  • Front side airbags with curtain airbags
  • Tyre pressure monitor
  • Tyre pressure loss indicator
  • 3 rear three point seatbelts

  • 3 rear head restraints
  • Heated front seats
  • Isofix child seat preparation easy fit for two outer rear seats
  • 14way electric adj front seats with lumbar + ergoComfort driver seat with memory/massage, comfort entry,integrated front headrest + door mirror memory
  • 60:40 split folding rear seat backrests with centre armrest
  • Split folding front seat backrest with front centre armrest
  • Premium sports seats with R-logo

  • Alarm with interior protection with deactivation via infotainment system
  • Keyless entry system including start/stop button on centre console
  • Electronic engine immobiliser

  • XDS electronic differential lock
  • All wheel drive - 4Motion

  • Driver and front passenger sunvisor with vanity mirror

  • CO2 (g/km): 181
  • Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 209
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - Max: 211
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - Min: 209

  • CC: 1984
  • Cylinders: 4
  • Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE
  • Number of Valves: 16
  • Camshaft: DOHC
  • Fuel Delivery: TURBO DIRECT INJECTION
  • Catalytic Convertor: True
  • Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE
  • Transmission: SEMI-AUTO
  • Gears: 7 SPEED

  • EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: False
  • WLTP - MPG - Low - Min: 20.6
  • WLTP - MPG - Low - Max: 20.5
  • WLTP - MPG - Medium - Min: 30.1
  • WLTP - MPG - Medium - Max: 29.7
  • WLTP - MPG - High - Min: 35.8
  • WLTP - MPG - High - Max: 35.3
  • WLTP - MPG - Extra High - Min: 32.5
  • WLTP - MPG - Extra High - Max: 32.1
  • WLTP - MPG - Comb - Min: 30.7
  • WLTP - MPG - Comb - Max: 30.4
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - Min: 13.7
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - Max: 13.8
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - Min: 9.4
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - Max: 9.5
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - Min: 7.9
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - Max: 8
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - Min: 8.7
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - Max: 8.8
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - Min: 9.2
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - Max: 9.3

  • Generation Mark: 1
  • Alternative Fuel Qualifying: False
  • Coin Series: R
  • Coin Description: TSI
  • Special Edition: False
  • Special Order: False
  • Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 27E
  • Service Interval Mileage: 10000
  • Service Interval Frequency - Months: 12
  • NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N
  • NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N
  • NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N
  • NCAP Safety Assist %: N
  • NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N
  • Badge Power: 320
  • Badge Engine CC: 2.0
  • Vehicle Homologation Class: M1
  • Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3
  • Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000
  • Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3
  • Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12
  • Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: False

  • Engine Power - BHP: 320
  • Engine Power - PS: True
  • 0 to 60 mph (secs): False
  • 0 to 62 mph (secs): 4.9
  • Top Speed: 155
  • Engine Power - KW: 235
  • Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 310
  • Engine Torque - NM: 420
  • Engine Torque - RPM: 2100
  • Engine Torque - MKG: 42.8

  • Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP
  • RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

  • Tyre Size Front: 245/40 R19
  • Wheel Style: ADELAIDE
  • Tyre Size Rear: 245/40 R19
  • Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT
  • Wheel Type: 19" ALLOY
  • Alloys?: True
  • Space Saver?: False

  • Width (including mirrors): N
  • Height: N
  • Height (including roof rails): 1462
  • Length: 4866
  • Width: 1871
  • Wheelbase: 2835

  • Minimum Kerbweight: 1718
  • Gross Vehicle Weight: 2290
  • Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 66
  • Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 2200
  • Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750
  • Max. Loading Weight: 572
  • Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 590
  • No. of Seats: 5
  • Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.9

  • Rear tinted glass from B pillar backwards, approx 65% tinted: Included
  • Heat insulating glass windscreen: Included
  • Heated infrared reflecting front climate windscreen: £360

  • Luggage compartment mat: £60

  • Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) - Adjustable dampers lowered by 15mm: Included
  • Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) - Adjustable dampers lowered by 20mm: £0

  • Rear view camera: Included
  • Area view including rear view camera: £815
  • Front and rear parking sensor with ultrasonic, audible with audio volume reduction when activated, optical parking display via vehicle infotain system: Included
  • Park assist system with front and rear parking sensor: £305

  • Discover navigation pro with 9.2'" colour touchscreen including streaming and internet, 3D map view, DAB and Traffic sign recognition: £1,400
  • Discover nav with 8" colour screen + streaming and internet, FM/DAB, USB-C socket, title/cover art disp, bluetooth,8 speakers and we connect plus prep: Included
  • Head up Display: £530

  • Harman Kardon surround sound system plus subwoofer and 11 speakers including centre speaker, 700watt output and digital 16-channel amplifier: £1,235

  • Metallic paint: £650
  • Pearlescent paint: £650
  • Solid paint: Included
  • Special solid paint: £395
  • Signature metallic paint: £785
  • Special signature metallic paint: £1,075

  • Automatic coming/leaving home lighting function and daytime running lights: Included
  • High beam assist with automatic sensing for switching between dipped and main beam: Included
  • LED headlamps: Included
  • IQ.LED headlight with LED daytime running + illuminated grille, dynamic cornering and advanced high beam control, poor weather light on rain/fog/snow: £1,270

  • Jack and tool kit: £15

  • Acoustics pack - Arteon: £305
  • Smoking pack - Arteon: £35
  • Assistance plus pack - Arteon: £320

  • Metallic - Manganese grey: £650
  • Metallic - Pyrite Silver: £650

  • Pearl - Deep black: £650

  • Solid - Moonstone grey: £0

  • Special solid - Pure white: £395
  • Signature metallic - Lapiz blue: £785
  • Signature metallic - Oryx white: £1,075

  • Outer rear seat side airbags with curtain airbag system: £370

  • Heated outer rear seats with air conditioning controls, 2 USB interfaces and 230v socket: £805

  • Towbar swivelling with electric release: £865

  • Nappa leather - Carbon style with side bolster and headrest: £0

  • 19" Montevideo alloy wheels with Airstop tyres + anti-theft wheel bolts: £0
  • 19" Adelaide black surface high sheen alloy wheels with AirStop tyres + anti-theft wheel bolts: Included
  • 20" Estoril black diamond turned alloy wheels with AirStop tyres + anti-theft wheel bolts: £565

  • Space and weight saving spare wheel: £100
  • Alloy spare wheel with original equipment tyre: £450
  • Tyre mobility kit: Included

Whilst every effort is made to verify and ensure the accuracy of the data, the information should only be used as a guide and no purchasing decision should be made without verification of the data from either the manufacturer or franchised dealer. Our offers may be on a different model year to that represented by this data and so specification may differ accordingly.

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