Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has launched the new VW Arteon in Malaysia at the Volkswagen Tour today at 1 Utama. Locally assembled (CKD) in Pekan, Pahang, the Malaysian market Arteon gets the 2.0 TSI R-Line, priced at RM 221,065. 

Performance 

The Arteon shares the same front-wheel drive powertrain as the VW Passat Elegance 2.0 TSI and has 190 PS and 320 Nm from the 2.0-litre TSI mill that is paired to a 7-speed wet-type dual-clutch automatic transmission (DSG).

It does a claimed 0-100 km/h in 7.7 seconds and has a top speed of 239 km/h. Quoted fuel efficiency figures are 6 litres/100 km. 

Features

For the price, the Arteon gets these as standard:

• R-Line visual package
• 19-inch ‘Montevideo’ wheels
• Adaptive LED head lights with LED DRL
• LED tail lights
• Dynamic Chassis Control adaptive chassis system
• Electronic Differential Lock (XDS)
• 11.7-inch 'Digital Cockpit' (digital instrument cluster)
• 9.2-inch Discovery Navigation Pro touchscreen infotainment display
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support
• 14-way ‘ErgoComfort’ power-adjustable front seats
• Massage function for driver seat
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Powered tailgate
• 563 litres boot space
• 7 airbags
• ABS, EBD, EBA, ASR, DSC, ESP & Hill Start Assist

Five colours are available. Metallic colours are Manganese Grey, Turmeric Yellow and Pyrite Silver; and two pearl-effect colours are Deep Black and Oryx White Pearl. 

Noteworthy highlights

Right off the bat, the most striking element is the fastback shape - a smoothly sloping roofline that merges seamlessly with the rear end. Other nifty design touches around the Arteon are frameless windows and a wide-opening hatchback to access the boot.

As its name suggests, the Arteon comes with the R-Line exterior and interior accessories package. Outside, there are body-coloured top and matte black lower door mirrors, R-Line design front bumper with gloss black front air intakes and a boot lid spoiler. Obligatory R-Line badges completes the look.

Inside, the leather-trimmed, multi-function steering wheel comes with paddle shifters. Interior upholstery and seats are made out of Nappa leather with contrast stitching. In-car entertainment is handled by the 'Dynaudio Confidence' system that blares music through a 700-watts, 16-channel digital amplifier and 11 speakers. 

Other than that, the interior gets aluminium details, Titanium Black-coloured headliner and 3-colour ambient lighting.

Sitting on the brand’s Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) platform, this is how the Arteon stacks up against the Passat Elegance, size-wise:

As the table shows, the Arteon is slightly bigger compared to its stablemate. 

Pricing and promotions

The sleek sedan starts at RM 221,043 (in line with the current sales tax exemption until 31st December) and comes with 5 years unlimited mileage warranty and 3 years free maintenance.  

Speaking of which, this event has also seen the launch of the 2020 Passat R-Line and the seven-seater 2020 Tiguan Allspace Highline and R-Line.