Geneva show: VW reveals CC-replacing Arteon

VOLKSWAGEN has used the Geneva motor show to take the covers off its new Arteon liftback sedan, which will replace the retired CC and become the halo model of the Volkswagen Passenger range when it arrives Down Under in October.

Based on the Passat sedan, the Arteon will be offered in a single variant sporting the 206kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine from the top-spec Passat, with power being sent to all four wheels via a six-speed DSG automatic transmission.

It will be available in R-Line and Elegance levels of trim, but it is unknown at this stage if one or both of these versions will make it to Australian.

Visually, the Arteon has undergone significant changes over the CC, which was last updated in 2012 before eventually being dropped from the German brand's local line-up late last year.

Much of the liftback's styling is borrowed from the Sport Coupe Concept GTE shown at the 2015 Geneva show, retaining its sweeping headlights, overhanging bonnet and broad grille.

The headlight cluster, which includes LED headlights and daytime running lights, incorporates a two-part design that flows into the long, horizontal bar grille and extends almost to the front wheel arches.

The bonnet on the Arteon is one of the largest in the Volkswagen stable, extending from the side to near the wheel arches, before hanging forwards into the grille and headlight cluster – with the look further accentuated by the rounded ‘V’ shape of the grille.

Muscular lower air intakes on the R-Line help give it a more sporty look, while the Elegance sticks with a more conventional singular lower air intake.

The Arteon’s profile gives it the look of a four-door coupe, with a sloping roofline that extends from the B-pillar down to the boot, which is finished with a lip spoiler.

Wheel options are likely to be a choice between either 19- or 20-inch alloys.

Tail-light design is similar to the Passat but with a longer, more swooping look that wraps around the rear of the car towards its wheels.

A pair of long, flat exhaust pipes are also carried over from the Passat.

Opening the tailgate reveals a boot with 563 litres of luggage space, which can be extended to 1557L when the rear seats are folded.

Inside the cabin, the interior layout is typically Volkswagen – the steering wheel, centre console and dashboard are very similar to the platform-sharing Passat.

Highlights include an optional Active Info digital instrument cluster display, a 9.2-inch touchscreen infotainment display with gesture control, a dashboard-encompassing air vent, and lower trim that is offered in wood for the Elegance or aluminium in the R-Line.

There are three colour combinations for the interior – black, dark grey and dark/light grey – and given the Australia-bound Arteon will be top-spec only, it will likely eschew the cloth interior of lower-spec models and instead be clad exclusively in leather and Alcantara.

Driver assistance systems include adaptive cruise control, emergency assist, lane departure warning, cornering LED headlights, front and rear sensors, side assist and traffic sign recognition that alerts the driver if they are travelling faster than the speed limit.

Given its position at the top of the Volkswagen passenger range, the Arteon is likely to be priced above the Passat 206TSI R-Line wagon which retails from $59,990 before on-roads.

More information on exact Australian pricing and specification will be released closer to its arrival in October.