The Volkswagen Arteon was probably the most elegant and distinctive huge fastbacks when it initially went on sale in 2017.
Just a few years on and it’s now additionally out there as a rakish property, besides the German automotive large’s determined to revive a label steeped in custom and historical past for this good-looking load-lugger.
The Arteon Taking pictures Brake’s many rivals embrace the Peugeot 508 SW, Skoda Excellent Property, Jaguar XF Sportbrake and Audi A4 Avant.
Oozing kerb attraction, the eye-catching new addition to the Arteon household sports activities an extended, low-slung physique, a superbly proportioned rear and a formidable chrome-accented broad entrance grille.
You’re in luck if you happen to’re after practicality in addition to fashion. The boot is a really helpful 565 litres, increasing to an enormous 1,632 litres with the rear seats flipped down.
It additionally trumps its fastback sibling for rear passenger headroom, including to the already spectacular legroom.
Costs from £34,765, there’s a alternative of petrol and diesel engines, with a plug-in hybrid and high-performance AWD Arteon R variant following later in 2021.
Petrol energy comes by way of a alternative of 1.5-litre (148bhp) or 2.0-litre (187bhp, 276bhp) engines, whereas the two.0-litre diesel is out there with two outputs (148bhp, 197bhp).
As ever, your alternative of petrol or diesel will rely upon many components, together with whether or not you drive lengthy distances on motorways. As an example, probably the most frugal engine is the 148bhp diesel which might return as a lot as 57.6mpg and CO2 emissions as little as 129g/km.
The least highly effective petrol engine is obtainable with a six-speed guide gearbox – all of the others include a seven-speed dual-clutch computerized.
Up entrance within the cabin, the Arteon Taking pictures Brake is way the identical as its fastback sibling, sharing the latter’s current updates which embrace a customisable 10.25-inch digital instrument panel in entrance of the motive force and an 8.0 or 9.2-inch infotainment touchscreen within the centre console.
Fortunately, VW hasn’t gone totally touchscreen (like the brand new Golf) – local weather management remains to be by way of conventional dials.
Tech goodies out there on the Arteon Taking pictures Brake embrace a voice management system and Journey Help (for semi-autonomous driving), plus autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise management and pace signal recognition.
A particular point out for “Space view and rear-view digital camera with Nook view and Trailer view” – an non-compulsory additional fitted to my take a look at automotive which makes parking and different tough manoeuvres a lot simpler.
Volkswagen reckons there shall be a 50/50 cut up between fastback and capturing brake gross sales and the preferred Arteon within the new vary is predicted to be the two.0 TSI 190 PS 7-speed DSG in R-Line trim, which coincidentally, is the very automotive I examined.
Low and smooth, it’s one of many best-looking property vehicles in the marketplace. Visibility is excellent due to slim A-pillars, whereas the cabin is bathed in mild due to the big glass space and panoramic sunroof.
At just below 4.9 metres lengthy, it’s no shrinking violet. Funnily sufficient, it wasn’t its size I used to be so conscious of (although parking is extra of a problem), it’s the Arteon’s width, particularly on narrower nation roads.
That apart, it’s a relaxed cruiser with the accent on consolation, although the engine isn’t fairly as refined as you may suppose beneath heavier acceleration.
In principle it’s able to sprinting from 0-62mph in 7.8 seconds and a prime pace of 145mph. In different phrases, it’s a very good all-rounder, whereas the DSG auto field is as clean and responsive as you’d count on.
Regardless of its dimensions, the Arteon Taking pictures Brake is deceptively agile and feels planted. Swap from Eco or Regular modes to Sport and it may be pushed tougher on tougher roads.
For me there are two points with this Arteon combo. First, the automotive itself nonetheless appears to have an identification drawback. After I first drove the fastback in 2018 a neighbour requested if it was a “new Passat”? Quick ahead three years and I used to be requested the identical query by a fellow shopper in a grocery store automotive park.
Second, the gasoline economic system of 35.6mpg. A good official determine for an enormous automotive, however not distinctive as a result of 30mpg is extra real looking in on a regular basis driving.
Having pushed the superb plug-in hybrid powertrain (mixed 215bhp, theoretical gasoline economic system of 245.8mpg and 33 pure electrical miles) within the carefully associated Skoda Excellent iV Property, I’d advise giving some critical thought to attempting the PHEV model of the Arteon earlier than making a closing determination – particularly if you happen to’re a enterprise consumer and may profit from the low tax benefits.
Verdict: Good-looking, snug, spacious and clean, the all-new Volkswagen Arteon Taking pictures Brake oozes kerb attraction and may positively be in your shortlist if you happen to’re in search of an aesthetic, competitively-priced load-lugger.
Volkswagen UK
