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Every so often, a car is created that makes you look twice. You stare and smile. Years later, you look at the design and understand that it was one of a few designs that redefined what a car has become in the future. It is bold and most certainly beautiful.

VW has launched a revolutionary vehicle for the brand – in my option, a game changer for the brand. The Arteon is a large sedan with similar proportion to the Passat, but with sports car lines. The Arteon is a Gran Turismo with its sophisticated, coupe-like design.

The Arteon has been designed for those who love the motorcar. What you drive is a representation of who you are or aspire to be! The Arteon is unique and distinctive. The overall look is emotional and premium.

Horizontal lines dominate the overall design, creating elongation. From the front grille through to its bold side shoulder lines and finally, to the rear of the car, the Arteon is beautifully created. The five-seat Arteon is an ideal avant-garde alternative – a car for people who want a five-door fastback with an accomplished, elegant design and progressive technology.

Beautifully built, this VW is a collective of the best German engineering. Everything opens and closes with solid purpose to its function. Materials are soft to the touch with the scent of class emanating from them. No interior element is brash, rather the collective elements of the interior design are understated and elegant. Form and function meet in simple harmony. The Arteon center console is dominated by the new Discover Pro infotainment system with a 9.2-inch tablet-like glass screen that features nifty technology like gesture control. The system manages its tasks efficiently and entirely without analogue buttons.  Interesting features have been added that are typically reserved for high-end luxury vehicles. This unique combination makes the Arteon one of the most attractive products in its segment. Things like the new dynamic cornering lights with predictive beam control anticipate when a bend is approaching and illuminate it before the driver actively turns into the bend.

The choice is yours - the Gran Turismo is available in two exclusive equipment lines: the 'Elegance' and 'R-Line'. The name says it all. Although the name ‘R-Line’ is the more expensive and therefore better equipped of the two. Standard features include such niceties as a panoramic sunroof, Air Care Climatronic 3-zone climate control, front sport seats with massage functionality and Nappa leather/Carbon style interior.

So now that you’ve selected your favourite trim, you’ll need to select an engine. There are two to choose from – both 2.0-L turbocharged, one petrol and the other diesel. The diesel engine delivers 130kW/350 NM through its front wheels while the powerful TSI delivers 206kW/ 350 NM through VW’s smart 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system. Dynamic Chassis Control is standard across the range.

There is no need to select a gearbox as a dual clutch automatic is your only option. This isn’t a bad thing! The 6-speed in the diesel and the 7-speed in the petrol are both outstanding. This gearbox splice through each of the cars gears like a sushi chef though salmon – quickly and precisely.

Looks, quality and performance are this car’s strong points. So impressive is the entire package that I strongly recommend that you drive it yourself. It's arguably better than many other cars at the same or similar price points. Well done VW!

Plus +

• Gorgeous styling
• High quality
• Class-leading rear legroom

Minus –

• A hard segment to do well in – customers prefer SUVs

The competition

Audi A5 Sportback, BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé and the KIA Stinger

Pricing

2.0 TDI 130kW Elegance DSG  R599 900

2.0 TDI 130 kW R-Line DSG R649 900

2.0 TSI 206kW R-Line 4MOTION DSG R699 900

Service and Warranty

The new Arteon comes standard with a 5 year/90 000km Maintenance Plan, 3 year/120 000km warranty, 12-year anti-corrosion warranty and space saver spare wheel. Service Interval is 15 000km.

My choice

2.0 TSI 206kW R-Line 4MOTION DSG R699 900

www.vw.co.za