The much-anticipated new Volkswagen Arteon R is now accelerating into showrooms.
And with an abundance of power and what VW calls ‘next-level handling and dynamics’, you can expect the hot executive head-turner to be popular.
Whichever way you look at it, the VW Arteon is a looker, and sees VW really trying to take the ‘prestige’ fight to the likes of BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz.
In ‘R’ form, it’s an even more tempting package.
An Arteon R lease can be had as either a fastback model or the Shooting Brake estate, and both are powered by Volkswagen’s acclaimed 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, providing 320 PS and 420 Nm of torque.
You also get VW’s 4MOTION all-wheel drive system as standard, as well as the firm’s ‘R-Performance’ torque vectoring, applying force to the wheels that need it most while you’re driving in order to maximise grip and handling.
Up to 50% of the Arteon R’s drive force can be sent to the rear axle, and this rear-axle power can be directed entirely to the outside rear wheel when cornering, virtually eliminating understeer.
And a VW spokesperson boasts:
“This, in addition to the standard fitment of both the XDS electronic differential lock and Volkswagen’s Dynamic Chassis Control adaptive damping system, crystallises the Arteon R’s handling prowess to a level truly fitting a thoroughbred German sports saloon and Shooting Brake, the first of their type from Volkswagen since the Passat R36 of 2008.”
For both body styles the 0-62 mph sprint passes in just 4.9 seconds, before topping out at an electronically limited 155 mph.
And as well as chunky 19 inch alloys, the R model enjoys sportier body styling compared with the normal Arteon, which includes an uprated radiator grille, a rear bumper and diffuser, and quad chrome tailpipes.
Inside the cabin you get premium sports seats incorporating integrated head restraints upholstered in Nappa leather with Nappa carbon style bolsters and finished with contrasting blue stitching. They also come with a 14-way electric adjustment with a massage function.
The leather steering wheel is heated and features touch-sensitive buttons and an ‘R’ button for quick access to the car’s drive modes.
The Arteon R also features a sunroof - the Shooting Brake gets a full panoramic one - as well as 30-colour ambient interior lighting.
While ‘Black Carbon’ inlays also bring some additional attitude to the interior.
When it comes to driver assistance systems, the Arteon R gets Side Assist lane-changing assistant, which monitors blind spots to help prevent side-swipe accidents, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, which warns the driver of traffic approaching from either direction when reversing, and a rear-view camera.
David Randall, Arteon Product Manager at Volkswagen UK, said:
“The Arteon and Arteon Shooting Brake already provide the business-class ambience of luxury transport, with striking looks. Now, with the addition of these new R models, the Arteon combines peak Volkswagen performance with arguably the most beautiful design in the whole model range.
“With the added performance these R versions provide, the Arteon and Arteon Shooting Brake’s innate practicality and everyday usability ensure this is a car that is every bit as fun to drive as it is easy to live with.”
Fastback and Shooting Brake models are priced from £51,615 and £52,435 respectively.
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