The Citizen (KZN)

VW’S NEW WORK OF ART

A FIVE-DOOR FASTBACK WITH AN ACCOMPLISH­ED DESIGN

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12 PAGES OF MOTORING PULL-OUT

Volkswagen have introduced an entirely new model to their range, the Arteon. 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.

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.

A long wheelbase of 2 841mm spans the two axles. Accordingl­y, the body overhangs of the 4 862mm long fastback model are short and concise. The Arteon is 1 871 mm wide and 1 427mm tall. These dimensiona­l relationsh­ips deliver truly dynamic proportion­s.

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 Arteon aims to re-interpret the gran turismo concept with its combinatio­n of avant-garde design, sporty charisma, great flexibilit­y and generous space.

On the technical front, the new Volkswagen impresses with two highly efficient engines, frontwheel or all-wheel drive, plus digitalise­d displays and controls. Further features include an Active Info Display (fully digital and programmab­le instrument­s), a headup display and the new Discover Pro infotainme­nt system with a 9.2-inch glass screen and gesture control.

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 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 three-zone climate control, front sport seats with massage functional­ity and nappa leather/carbon style interior.

Engines are transverse­ly mounted in the front. This creates space.

The interactiv­e and digitalise­d interfaces in the interior include optional high-tech features such as the Active Info Display which is standard on the range.

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.

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. Ambient lighting is standard on the R-Line model in blue, white and orange.

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.

It boasts 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.

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. By triggering this hinge, the bonnet lifts up by around 60mm, which increases the deformatio­n space across very hard parts of the cylinder block and provides a cushion in the event of a collision – this is standard across the range.

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

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.

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 Chassis Control is standard.

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

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 600rpm. 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.

The standard configurat­ion of the Arteon Elegance is focused primarily on sophistica­ted and classic styling features.

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