Volkswagen's Answer to the Kia Stinger

[Kia Stinger]

Meet the Volkswagen Arteon... Phonetically, Volkswagen’s new flagship is AR-tee-on; philosophically, it’s ART plus three letters tagging along for the ride. Think of it as the arty one and you’ll mispronounce it but nail the idea.

Does a market crazy for crossovers and pickups need a high-style hatchback sedan on a rescue mission? No, but this Passat-plus storm trooper should be an effective means of shifting the brand from defense to offense. Even though the camouflage won’t be stripped off until next spring’s Geneva auto show, Arteon prototypes we drove in South Africa convince us that VW is resuming a fruitful path.

Read Car and Driver's article here:
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2018-volkswagen-arteon-prototype-drive-review

 

[app_master]

Nice effort but VW has never appealed (to me), let alone the Passat model, whether GTi, Rline or whatever. I would have never considered this as a true RWD sport performance car either. It might be avail in AWD (allmotion?) but in Australia, this would also be far more expensive than a Stinger GT. Definitely not a "Gran Turismo". I see no fun here. Next.

 

[ballistic]

it looks good but more laid back of a design than i want right now. i like the stinger's aggressiveness. i wonder if this is what our next passat will look like here in the states. prices for vw models have dropped here in recent years but quality has dropped as well.

 

[Bamm1]

it looks good but more laid back of a design than i want right now. i like the stinger's aggressiveness. i wonder if this is what our next passat will look like here in the states. prices for vw models have dropped here in recent years but quality has dropped as well.

I believe this is the VW CC replacement (but I am sure it will share features with the new Passat as well).

Looks like 2018 will be the year of the Gran Turismo! VAG already has the A5/S5 Sportback in its line up. Of note, VW was given permission to have the Arteon out power the A5 Sportback (2017 = 252 hp).

Interesting specs/features:

• 2.0T EA888 Gen 3 HO Motor (detuned version of the engine in the S3/Golf R) rated at 276 hp*
• 7-Speed DSG (dual clutch transmission)
• Adaptive Suspension
• 4Motion AWD
• Intelligent Headlights with curve sensing
• Emergency Assist, a system that will stop the car and pull itself over autonomously if a driver becomes incapacitated
• 9.2 inch infotainment screen with gesture control
• Virtual Cockpit and HUD
• Cargo Capacity: 19.9 ft^3 seats up; 55 ft^3 seats down (I am starting to think that there something "off" with the Stinger spec that was released)

Similar size:

• Arteon
• 191.1 x 73.0 x 55.8 in
• WB: 111.9 in

• Stinger
• 190.1 x 73.6 x 55.1 in
• WB: 114.4 in

Lastly, I recently posted CR’s “Brand Rankings for 2017”. Here is how Kia and VW compare:

• Kia # 6
• VW # 23

Rumors: The US may get the 8-speed auto instead of the 7-speed DSG. VW is testing a V6 version and they may be using the 2.5L, single-turbo, 300 hp, V6 that is currently "China Only".

*A Stage 1 tune alone (with no other modifications) has taken this engine to 370 hp / 383 tq. This puts the S3’s/R’s 0-60 times into the high 3’s and the ¼ mile into the low 12’s. The Arteon will be 100’s of pounds heavier than the MQB C-segment siblings but still likely hall a** with the 100+ hp and tq increases.

 

[Brian Keenan]

Yeah, there are so many VAG tuners out there and that makes it really easy, in such a competitive environment, to tune these cars inexpensively and easily. I hear stories about how Audi is watching very closely to see who's tuning their products and people are concerned about having their warranties voided. I haven't been paying much attention to the forums though so I don't know if that's actually happening. But if Audi is doing it then I'm sure Volkswagen is too.

It makes sense that this would be the new Passat CC. It's nice but not my cup of tea.

 

[Bamm1]

Yeah, there are so many VAG tuners out there and that makes it really easy, in such a competitive environment, to tune these cars inexpensively and easily. I hear stories about how Audi is watching very closely to see who's tuning their products and people are concerned about having their warranties voided. I haven't been paying much attention to the forums though so I don't know if that's actually happening. But if Audi is doing it then I'm sure Volkswagen is too.

It makes sense that this would be the new Passat CC. It's nice but not my cup of tea.

VAG (VW, AUDI, LAMBO, etc.) has a TSB for tuning. They place a TD1 tag on your VIN in their system if they detect a tune. (or see visual modifications). Then any future warranty claims are vetted with that in mind. Your seat breaks they will likely just fix it. Your transmission starts clunking you are likely out of luck without taking them to court. There is LOTS of debate about flashing it back to stock before service, etc.

If people go the tuning route with their Kia the same concerns will be out there. Tuning is almost ubiquitous in the VAG community at this point so there is more reason for VAG to push back (need to get the emissions pay out money back somehow )

 

[hej]

I'd echo app_master; If it's not a RWD based car with a nice even front/rear weight split, it's not in the same class IMO.

 

[ballistic]

I believe this is the VW CC replacement (but I am sure it will share features with the new Passat as well).

yeah, i did some more reading and lots of people are thinking this is the new passat cc. it's nice. i always liked the cc.

 

[Jenny Wang]

I think it looks pretty slick from the side and rear. Not loving the wheels or front so much. The glass top is pretty cool as well.

 

[Jim McIntosh]

Looks slick but VW has an unfortunate reputation for quality issues.

 

[Jenny Wang]

Looks slick but VW has an unfortunate reputation for quality issues.

That's true. The cars coming from Germany are usually pretty good but the cars coming from Mexico have had problems. Maybe they cut corners or maybe the Germans just have better engineering.