Model Preview
The Volkswagen CC is dead, long live the Volkswagen Arteon! With its range-topping coupe breathing its last breath in 2017, it was only a matter of time before its replacement, the Arteon, hit the U.S. auto show circuit.
On the outside, the Arteon will be unlike any VW sedan before it, thanks to its unique styling. It will draw some of its design cues from the new Atlas SUV, like its headlights, long and thin taillights, and its abundance of sharp body lines. Like the CC that preceded it, the Arteon will boast a coupe roofline, but what sets it apart is its new MQB platform, which allows for a more cab-rearward setup, giving it a longer hood and shorter overhangs.
Standard exterior features are in abundance, as this sharp sedan will include standard LED headlights and taillights, a chrome grille, frameless side windows, dual exhaust exits, a rear wing, 18-inch wheels, and more.
The interior will take VW design to another new level with its premium materials, trapezoidal design, and loads of standard features This long list of goodies will include standard leatherette seats with heat, push-button start, three-zone automatic climate control, an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Buyers can opt for the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, too.
Under its hood, the Arteon will come with a single engine option: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This power will head to the front wheels, or all four wheels with the optional 4Motion all-wheel-drive system, via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Arteon will also boast a standard adaptive damping system.
Safety ratings will have to wait until we get closer to its release date, but we expect
Pricing & Release Date
VW expects to have the 2019 Arteon hit dealers sometime in the third quarter of 2018. Production is due to begin in late July.
Official pricing remains uncertain for now, but we expect it to be a tick higher than the last version of the CC. For reference, the 2017 CC ranged from $35,340 to $38,685 (destination fee included).
The VW Arteon will fall in a weird gap in the market, as it’s not quite a full luxury car, but it’s not a normal sedan. This leaves its competition pretty broad. Its competitors may include the higher-trimmed Honda Accord and Ford Fusion, as well as the lower-trimmed BMW 3-Series and Acura TLX.
Learn about the current VW lineup »
Pictured: 2019 Arteon
