Volkswagen describes the Arteon as a 'gran turismo with svelte fastback styling'. Launched in 2017, this coupe-cum-hatchback competes with the likes of the Audi A5 Sportback, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C Class. Continuing just-auto/QUBE's review of interior design and technology trends, we take a closer look inside this upmarket, roomy model to see how it measures up.
The Arteon is manufactured at VW's Emden plant in northwest East Frisia, Germany. This facility also builds the Passat saloon and estate. Despite the negative press around diesel-powered cars, demand for such vehicles remains high amongst fleet drivers. The UK sales split is 85% fleet/15% retail. Last year, 52% of Arteons sold were diesel-powered.
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Classy interior
A team, led by VW head of interior design Tomasz Bachorski, designed the dash with a simple layout that runs in a straight line and with a clean form. The central design element of the dash is a decorative air vent that appears to extend across the width of the interior although it has a central break. This illusion is achieved by fine chrome trim strips on the vent louvres, which create a visual link to the cross-bars of the Arteon radiator grille.
Beneath the air vent and analogue clock is a low-profile ambient lighting strip that wraps around into the door panels. VW's Colour & Trim designers have coordinated their selection of materials and colours to match these aspects. Three interior colour themes (black, dark grey and a combination of dark and light grey) match the range of exterior colours.
The rest of the cabin is cloaked with high grade, tactile materials. Offered in two trim levels – the entry-level Elegance and top-drawer R-Line – standard equipment on both includes a sat-nav with eight-inch colour touchscreen positioned centre stage and eight speakers dotted around the cabin. It also comes with Bluetooth audio and phone connectivity, and Volkswagen Media Control allowing remote control of the infotainment system via a smartphone or tablet.
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By GlobalDataOn either side of the tablet-style touchscreen are two rotary/push-button controls and eight function buttons. The usual USB and power sockets are tucked away in the centre console and under the armrest. Three chunky, no-nonsense dials to operate the HVAC are positioned in a piano-black panel set beneath the touchscreen.
Other standard-fit pieces of interior kit include a reconfigurable digital instrument display and multi-zone air-con system. Our press review R-Line interior featured nappa leather with carbon style side bolsters and an R-Line logo embroidered in the back rest of the front seats.
The sense of space in the front and back seats is noticeable with loads of leg room. The outer rear seating positions take the form of contoured individual seats, while the third (centre) seat is reasonably comfy all things considered. The middle seat position also features an armrest which can be folded down, and behind it is a large pass-through opening which comes in handy when loading long bits and pieces bought from IKEA. The boot itself is surprisingly large. Luggage space is 563 litres with the rear seats in place, rising to a cavernous 1,557 litres of available carrying capacity when the 60/40 rear seats are folded. Forward visibility is quite good for a coupe-like car while rear visibility is restricted somewhat by the narrow rear window. Rear parking sensors and a camera display help in this department though.
Head-up display
While head-up displays (HUDs) have been in cars for more than 20 years, OE fitment rates have been slow and gradual. But the HUD market is predicted to flourish as more cars are being equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and drivers are demanding graphically rich data, visual alerts and greater levels of connectivity.
HUD technologies fall into two camps: Combiner and Windscreen. A combiner HUD uses a screen to reflect an image to the driver, while a windscreen HUD has images projected directly off the windscreen.
The Arteon incorporates a pop-up combiner that displays information on speed, adaptive cruise control, navigation and other ADAS critical data.
Gesture control
If you like the idea of talking to your car to operate various functions, the Arteon allows you to wave and take a swipe at it.
For those with deeper pockets, optional equipment includes a 'panoramic' roof (that stretches to the B-pillars and sheds very little light on those sitting in the back), front massaging seats, steering wheel heating, a sound pack featuring a 16-channel digital amplifier, 700-watt output and top-notch 11 speakers, plus subwoofer. Although the sunroof allows natural light to flood the cabin, it is not exactly large. Consequently, the dark headliner still makes the rear cabin feel a little claustrophobic.
Acoustically speaking
Every car has a laminated windscreen, of course. For some time, however, Europe has led with the adoption of laminated side glass for increased vehicle comfort and security. The first North American vehicle with laminated side windows was launched in 2002 with market demand catching up in Europe. Today, from just-auto's research database QUBE on glazing technologies, we are seeing a clear upward trend for laminated side glass, especially for front door applications due to the acoustical benefit that comes with that value-added product. The Arteon R-Line that we took out for a spin last week came fitted with optional front side laminated windows, supplied by Fuyao. Laminated glass provides a three-to-six decibel noise reduction over tempered glass.
Laminated side glazing has other benefits that go beyond cabin noise. The use of laminate greatly reduces penetration of UV rays into the vehicle. Other benefits such as safety and security are also considerations for carmakers.
Connectivity
On the connectivity front, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can be used to mirror your smartphone. VW also offers the Security & Service (Plus and Basic) package as standard on the Arteon. It gives the driver access to real-time help in a wide range of situations. Highlights include features such as emergency service, automatic accident reporting, roadside service and service scheduling. In addition, the Car-Net app can be used to access various vehicle status data such as fuel level and parking position, as well as activate certain functions such as switching on the auxiliary heater remotely.
Various online services can be accessed using Guide & Inform. It includes a range of services for the Discover Navigation system and an extended range for the Discover Navigation Pro system.
Services available for Discover Navigation include Online POI Search, Online Destination Import, Route Import, Fuel Info (location and price), News, Parking Info (location, availability and price), Weather, Charging Stations (for electric and plug-in hybrid models) and Online Traffic Information.
The Discover Navigation Pro system also includes voice-activated Online POI Search, Online Map Update and Online Grace Note which can be used to load album cover information into the vehicle.
Predictive cruise control
The Arteon is fitted with an array of ADAS technologies, including adaptive cruise control (ACC) with predictive cruise control; city emergency braking; front assist; speed assist; traffic jam assist; lane assist and driver alert fatigue warning system.
Notably, the Arteon is the first VW that can react to changing parameters along the route – operating within system limits. The car's ACC uses a radar sensor (for distance monitoring), a camera in the windscreen and the route information from the navigation system. Using the camera and the interconnected dynamic road sign display, the Arteon is able to observe speed limits as well as city limits. At the same time, the car determines its position and predictively adjusts vehicle speed prior to bends, islands and junctions using the front camera and route information from the sat-nav.
Driver alert system
The Arteon includes the automaker's second generation of emergency assist. If the driver becomes incapacitated for health reasons, the system slows the car down within system limits but also steers it into the slow lane to perform an emergency stop, traffic behind permitting.
The new emergency assist combines ACC (adaptive cruise control), side assist (lane change system), lane assist (lane departure warning) and park assist (park assist steering) into a single system. Once the sensors determine that the driver has not operated the accelerator, brake pedal or steering wheel over a specified period of time, the system network implements specifically targeted countermeasures.
The driver is initially warned and 'woken' by means of acoustic, optical and haptic signals (braking jolt). If the driver still does not respond, the emergency assist system kicks in with an emergency stop.
On the road
Once seated with the engine purring, you immediately feel engaged with a sense of anticipation. Its uncomplicated cockpit swathed with soft-touch trim and supportive leather seats make this an undeniably comfortable place to sit for a few hours. This five-seat, long-distance cruiser with a practical and flexible luggage compartment compares well to its premium-badged rivals.
Fully loaded up with passengers and headed for the coast, the 2.0-litre diesel engine delivered more than enough power when needed. It is mated to a seven-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox. Painted Turmeric Yellow to accentuate its chiselled good looks, the swanky model brightened up every car park on our tour. The pillarless doors add a touch of class and make the rear limo-like cabin area feel light and airy.
On balance, the well thought-out cockpit has the wraparound feel of a coupé with soft-touch surfaces, stitched lines and brushed chrome accents to give a plusher feel. It also feels practical, spacious and robust with intuitive controls and decent-sized cubby holes and glovebox. And during a week in which temperatures in Britain tipped 38-degrees C, the multi-zone air-con made it the perfect haven.
