INTERNATIONAL LAUNCH
VW’s Arteon coupe gets its lift back
If the Passat is too dull and the Passat CC too old, Volkswagen has a new answer, writes Michael Taylor
What makes a premium car? The car itself? The badge and company behind it? The looks? Volkswagen is about to find out with its Arteon, which is a stretched, redressed Passat shot upmarket to chase 3 Series, A4 and C-Class buyers. If looks were the deciding factor, the Arteon might already have won. But it’s not. You can probably expect to see more of this from VW. One model does well, so its engineers figure out how to make another one like it, but seemingly different. The Arteon replaces the Passat CC, even if VW insists it doesn’t because it is repositioned quite a bit higher. To be fair, it’s not quite the same as the Passat, even if many interior design points prove the link. It is due in SA later in 2017 and its interior layout and feeling of space are helped by adding 50mm to the Passat’s generous wheelbase, but that’s the end of the core hardware differences. Its engine array includes two versions of the 2.0l TSI petrol-powered four-cylinder and a 2.0l biturbo diesel, plus th...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.