Summarize

Volkswagen sets out to catch Jaguars

Volkswagen makes no bones that its latest premium class Arteon combines the design elements of a sports car with the elegance and space of a granturismo, which also brings several innovative technologies, driver assistance and convenience systems to its class on an extended wheelbase that delivers unexpected room in a quite spectacular cabin.

VW is no newcomer to luxury motoring – Touareg is just as impressive an answer to the yuppy SUV question without any ado, but Arteon is different.
It does not pretend to a throne, rather going its own way into a competitive marketplace – no easy task against 3 and C, but Volkswagen seems to have stolen a march on those mundane rivals through a more stylistic granturismo approach. It really looks the part – based on Volkswagen’s Modular Transverse Matrix platform, the long, wide Arteon brings exceptional space to a grand five-seat cabin set apart by a pretty breathtaking single air vent band spreading right across the dash. 

Arteon spoils its driver with a leather paddle-shifter multifunction steering wheel, programmable Active Info Display instruments, head-up display and that fully-stacked tablet-like glass 9.2-inch Discover Pro infotainment system. 

And its most impressive to drive too – that lusty turbo petrol lump is responsive and pliable, its AWD chassis confidence inspiring and its frugal and so driver friendly too. This 206kW 350Nm 2.0 TSI turning a 7-speed DSG transmission and 4Motion all-wheel drive with Dynamic Chassis Control, rushed to 100km/h in 5.2 seconds with a top speed of 250km/h while sipping 7.3 litres per 100 kilometres.

We enjoyed a significant number of happy miles aboard this quick, erudite and efficient 206kW R-Line and not only is Arteon a Volkswagen, but it is asking anyone interested in a 3, a C or something similar a most interesting question. 

QUICK TEST: Volkswagen Arteon 2.0TSI 4Motion R-Line
Engine:    206kW 350Nm 1984cc turbo petrol I4
Drive: 7-speed DC automatic AWD
TESTED: 
0-100km/h: 5.21 sec   
0-160km/h: 13.37 sec
400m: 13.6 sec @ 162km/h
80-120km/h: 3.83 sec
120-160km/h: 5.86 sec       
CLAIMED:       
VMax: 250km/h 
Fuel: 7.3 l/100km
CO2: 164 g/km
Warranty/Service 5y 120K/3y 100Kkm
LIST PRICE: R699K
RATED:    90%