A couple of weeks after teaser sketches were released, Volkswagen has officially revealed the facelifted Arteon which now comes in either ‘Fastback’ saloon or Shooting Brake forms.
More importantly, they’ve finally added a properly quick Arteon R to the range which, and I think we can all agree on this, looks absolutely sensational.
I’ll get the bad news out of the way before you get too excited… No, it’s not powered by a big, powerful VR6 as many had hoped it would be. There were prototypes so VW had obviously considered it, but cleaner, greener engines are the goal so that was quickly ruled out.
Instead, they’ve opted for the standard ‘R’ engine which is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol. Here, it’s producing 316bhp and 310lb ft of torque and putting it down through a seven-speed DSG. It should be quick enough then, shouldn’t it? 0-62mph will presumably take around 5 seconds and I’d expect a 155mph limited top speed.
Like all Volkswagen ‘R’ models, the Arteon R uses a 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. In a first for VW, however, it gets what is called ‘R Performance Torque Vectoring’.
Unlike standard 4Motion systems which simply control the torque split between the front and rear axles, this new setup can also split torque between the two rear wheels. Volkswagen claim this technology creates a new level of “dynamic performance for the business class”.
In order to improve its handling further, the all-new Arteon R sits 20mm lower than the non-performance models and sits on standard-fit adaptive dampers. It gets 20-inch sports alloys which house R performance brakes with the calipers painted blue.
It gets the usual Volkswagen R cosmetic upgrades, too. Bigger, sportier, blacked-out bumpers and side skirts accompany a bespoke quad-exhaust system and tinted taillights at the back. The lovely blue paint it’s pictured in will be exclusive to the R as well.
Inside, the Arteon R benefits from carbon trims and sports seats. It gets a new and improved steering wheel with bigger sporty paddles in place of the crappy old plastic paddles we’ve had to deal with until now. It also features a little blue ‘R’ button which puts the car straight into ‘Race’ mode.
So what’s new across the rest of the range?
The Arteon R isn’t the only positive thing to come from the model’s mid-life updates. Volkswagen has made improvements which stretch across the whole range, notably the addition of the Shooting Brake variant.
The interior has been improved substantially which is important as I’ve always felt like that’s what has let it down until now. It always had the looks but once you stepped inside, you knew you were in a Passat with a prettier exterior.
That shouldn’t be the case anymore, though, as Volkswagen say the new interior “lends the Arteon an even greater feeling of exclusivity”. That was apparently the goal all along, but better late than never, I suppose.
The newly designed cockpit environment gets a better finish with vastly improved materials. Hopefully, that means no more cheap plastic bits. The new Arteon gets an updated infotainment unit which, if you so wish, can be paired with a 700 watt Harman/Kardon sound system.
The new infotainment system supposedly makes operation of the A/C “easier” thanks to its touch-screen sliders. We’re all thinking the same thing – there’s no way that’s going to be easy when trying to concentrate on the road ahead. Bad move, VW.
Finishing touches are added to the interior by illuminated trims in the dashboard and doors which replaces the need for chrome according to the Germans. Previously, the Arteon’s ambient light could be switched between white, yellow and blue. There are now 30 colour choices which will seem pointless or excessive to some but will excite many more.
Externally, the improvements are pretty standard for a facelift. The Arteon gets bigger wheels, more chrome and updated front and rear bumpers with new (and still fake) exhaust tips. It also gets the rather smart LED light-bar running across the grille between the front headlights.
Changes have been made under the bonnet, too. The standard engine choices remain the same. There are 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol options. Diesel options come in the form of a 2.0-litre TDI or an excellent, more powerful 2.0-litre Bi-TDI. The diesel engines are now much cleaner thanks to ‘twin-dosing’ technology in the SCR system which can cut NOx emissions by up to 80%.
The main addition, other than the new R, is the Arteon eHybrid which uses the powertrain from the new Golf GTE. It’s the first time PHEV tech has been adopted by the Arteon and I imagine this will make it a popular choice for those with company cars needing to keep their emissions down.
All things considered, it was already an impressive car but Volkswagen will be hoping their changes really take it to the next level. I have a feeling they might.
So which new Arteon will you be taking? Will you go for the R or the more eco-friendly eHybrid? Shooting Brake or ‘Fastback’ saloon. Be warned, there’s only one right answer for the last question. Let us know what you think of the new Arteon R and its other variants in the comments sectin below or via our Facebook and Twitter pages.
That shooting brake is a BEAUT.