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    William Maley

    2021 Volkswagen Arteon Decides To Freshen Up

      Subtitle Changes Outside, Major Changes Inside 


    Volkswagen unveiled an updated 2021 Arteon tonight. Now you might be thinking this is a quick turn around as the Arteon has been on sale in the U.S. for only a year. But you need to keep in mind that Volkswagen has been selling the Arteon in Europe since 2018, so a refresh was in the cards.

    Changes for the exterior are subtile with a more prominent grille, new lighting, updated Volkswagen badging, and new choices for paint and wheels. The interior is a bit more dramatic with updated dash featuring revised air vents and climate control system with touch controls. A new steering wheel with touch controls, improved materials, and the 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit becoming standard on all Arteons finishes off the changes.

    Power for the U.S. will remain the turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder with 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This is paired with an eight-speed automatic that routes power to either the front or Volkswagen's 4Motion all-wheel drive system.

    There are some versions we'll be missing out on such as a new Shooting Brake (aka wagon), a 315 horsepower R model, and a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

    No word on pricing, but you'll be able to pick up a 2021 Arteon at your Volkswagen dealer sometime in November.

    Source: Volkswagen
    Press Release is on Page 2


    2021 Volkswagen Arteon world premiere

    Jun 23, 2020

    • Brand halo is updated inside and out—a new front end impresses with sharpened design elements and available illuminated grille, while inside, a new cockpit offers greater levels of refinement
    • Digital Cockpit standard across lineup
    • European offering includes new Arteon Shooting Brake, as well as plug-in hybrid (160 kW / 218 PS) and Volkswagen R-developed performance (235 kW / 320 PS) powertrains

    Herndon, VA — The Arteon is Volkswagen’s Gran Turismo—marrying the sleek design of a premium coupe to the space of a midsize sedan. For 2021, Volkswagen is introducing an extensive product line update to the brand halo, including sharpened design elements, interior refinements, and intelligent comfort systems. In Europe, Volkswagen is enhancing the product line with a second version—the new Arteon Shooting Brake—alongside new powertrain options including a plug-in hybrid drivetrain generating 160 kW (218 PS) and Arteon R versions with 235 kW (320 PS).

    For 2021, the U.S. market Volkswagen Arteon features a simplified trim lineup—SE, SEL R-Line, and SEL Premium R-Line.

    Exterior

    The refreshed Arteon features a refined front end with sharpened design elements. The long, wide hood stretches across the entire front profile to the wheelarches to form the shoulder section. At the front it reaches far down into the grille, emphasizing the ample width of the Arteon with its crossbars. It’s not just avant-garde, it’s also aerodynamic—with a drag coefficient of a mere 0.265.

    For the first time, the Arteon can also be configured with an illuminated grille. On midrange models, new LED daytime running lights (DRLs) connect to form a central light bar in the grille, surrounding the new Volkswagen logo and using light as the new chrome. Consequently, the Arteon has been given a new and unmistakable daytime and night-time lighting signature.

    The lower section of the front profile, the front apron, has also been modified. Up to now, this area featured four chrome bars. These have now been transformed into three significantly more striking chrome bars. The outer and bottom segments of the front apron are always the same color as the vehicle’s paintwork (except the lateral air intake grilles). How the equipment scopes differ: the SE trim now has two additional, separate air intake openings in front of the front wheels, as well as a chrome bar that has been integrated above the front spoiler. In contrast, the R-Line features one larger, continuous, bottom air intake above the front spoiler that is surrounded by a C-shaped section on the outside in front of the front wheels, which has been painted in the main vehicle color.

    As drawn, the character line runs around the entire car. It visually presses the body’s volume downward to the ground, giving it a dynamic appearance. The character line starts in the radiator grille at the front and runs smoothly across the silhouette up to the tail light clusters. At the rear it transforms into a sharp undercut that visually reduces the Arteon’s height and carries the strong shoulder section towards the rear. At the rear, the VW badge and Arteon lettering have been redesigned.

    Three new colors are added for model year 2021—Oryx White, Kings Red Metallic, and Lapiz Blue.

    Interior

    On the inside, Arteon has been equipped with a redesigned cockpit that has been refined to match the model’s exclusive nature. Volkswagen’s interior designers have redesigned the entire dash panel—consisting of surfaces, air outlets, and trims—the center console, including infotainment section and air-conditioning control, and the top sections of the door trims. The fabrics and leather in the vehicle interior have also been upgraded.

    At the dash panel’s top-most level, new leatherette surfaces stand out by having been refined are more pronounced with decorative seams to visually build a bridge to Volkswagen’s luxury-class SUV, the Touareg. On the second level, new aluminum décor graces base models, while midrange models offer translucent aluminum décor with 30-color ambient lighting The air outlets, stretching up to the third dash panel level, have been redesigned and also fully integrated here.

    A new generation of multifunction steering wheels featuring digital touch surfaces are used in the Arteon. In combination with the Travel Assist system (see below), the steering wheel rim additionally features touch-sensitive surfaces which, once Travel Assist has been activated, detect whether the driver has at least one hand on the steering wheel for safety reasons.

    The temperature can now be set intuitively via a touchslider for the optional three-zone Climatronic® automatic climate control. The same applies to the blower function in the manual mode. Seat heating, windscreen and window defrosting functions as well as other air conditioner regulations are also controlled using new touch-sensitive surfaces in the center console.

    The Arteon is equipped with the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, which allows the driver to configure the instrument display. The graphics of the 10.25-inch display are clear and of a high quality. The driver can quickly and easily switch between three basic layouts using a View button on the multifunction steering wheel.

    Arteon adopts the all-new MIB3 infotainment system, integrated in a clearly visible and easy-to-reach position above the new air-conditioning controls. All models come standard with the 8.0-inch Discover Media system with navigation. MIB3 offers natural voice control, multi-phone pairing that can easily switch between devices, and wireless App-Connect. Wireless charging is also new for 2021.

    Volkswagen is also offering a newly developed, high-end sound system made by audio specialists harman/kardon for the very first time. It has been specifically geared towards the Arteon product line. The system uses a 700-watt, 16-channel Ethernet amplifier to power a total of twelve high-performance loudspeakers. One loudspeaker acts as the center speaker in the newly designed dash panel while another operates as a subwoofer in the trunk. The remaining treble, mid-range, and bass loudspeakers have been arranged in the doors. The infotainment system coordinates the individual sound control of the harman/kardon sound system which also provides pre-configured settings, such as Pure, Chill out, Live and Energy.

    Powertrain

    The Arteon is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injection TSI® engine, making 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The power is taken to the front wheels via a standard eight-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic® shifting; 4Motion all-wheel drive is available on SEL R-Line models and standard on SEL Premium R-Line models.

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    Not impressed,

    I swear you could ALMOST swap the badge and it would be an Audi. YAWN....

    interior is weird and maybe it is the pictures, but there seem to be so many off set lines that should line up from dash to door but do not. It really seems cheap to me. Plus if your not going to offer performance and at least the Hybrid, then DOUBLE YAWN.

    High HP, weak Torque, another BLAH German Sedan.  Sad, you would think SOMEONE at VW would remember the marketing of Fahrvergnügen

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    37 minutes ago, smk4565 said:

    Problem is this car is Audi A4 money.  So either it needs to cost lest or just buy the Audi.

    Problem with Audi A4 money is Audi A4 repair bills are at least twice as high as a VW repair bill.  Pass on this sedan.

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    Its a good looking sedan. Stately.  The exterior is very elegant but also conservative somewhat, but that is what makes it good looking and stately.  In my eyes at least. 

    The interior is very very conservative. And boring. But it befits the exterior.  The Arteon looks to be  a nice, plush, posh sedan to drive in to and fro from work.  It has a nice air of elegance to it despite the "for the people" badge it wears.  

    For Audi A4 money, and the A4 being a smaller vehicle, I would choose the Arteon over the A4.  Its more stately and its bigger and therefore more comfortable.   And I think THAT is the Arteon's selling point... And if I was a VW/Audi fanboi, I wouldnt be looking to snub VW just because of the badge so I could 'upgrade' to the Audi.   I would be owning and driving the Arteon with pride...

     

     

    Edited by oldshurst442
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    1 hour ago, riviera74 said:

    Problem with Audi A4 money is Audi A4 repair bills are at least twice as high as a VW repair bill.  Pass on this sedan.

    How is it twice as high?  It is the same 2.0 TFSI engine, just turned a difference direction, the same ZF 8-speed, the same electronics, etc.  All this stuff comes from the same parts bin, the only big difference is Arteon is on the MQB platform, while the A4 is on the superior MLB platform.  

    Granted the A4 with the same horsepower is $5k more than the Arteon, but I can't see how they justify an Arteon starting at $36k, which means over $40k with any options.  Compare that to a Camry, Optima, Sonata, Accord, etc that start $10k cheaper.  And an upper level Sonata or Camry is just as nice as an Arteon.

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    1 hour ago, smk4565 said:

    How is it twice as high?  It is the same 2.0 TFSI engine, just turned a difference direction, the same ZF 8-speed, the same electronics, etc.  All this stuff comes from the same parts bin, the only big difference is Arteon is on the MQB platform, while the A4 is on the superior MLB platform.  

    Granted the A4 with the same horsepower is $5k more than the Arteon, but I can't see how they justify an Arteon starting at $36k, which means over $40k with any options.  Compare that to a Camry, Optima, Sonata, Accord, etc that start $10k cheaper.  And an upper level Sonata or Camry is just as nice as an Arteon.

    IOW, the Arteon is a poor value and should be easy to ignore. 

    As for how the A4 repairs would be twice as high?  Simple: when you take the A4 into a VW dealer, the service department will automatically charge more for parts to repair your A4 than they would any ordinary VW.  Sometimes twice as much.  All based on the VIN.

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    5 minutes ago, riviera74 said:

    IOW, the Arteon is a poor value and should be easy to ignore. 

    As for how the A4 repairs would be twice as high?  Simple: when you take the A4 into a VW dealer, the service department will automatically charge more for parts to repair your A4 than they would any ordinary VW.  Sometimes twice as much.  All based on the VIN.

    So parts on an Escalade cost more than double to parts on a Tahoe?  It’s the same parts!

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    This is just a damn good looking vehicle. 

    15 hours ago, smk4565 said:

    Problem is this car is Audi A4 money.  So either it needs to cost lest or just buy the Audi.

    Isn't this much larger than an A4? 

    Edit: It's 5 inches longer, 1 inch wider, and a quarter inch higher. 

    Edited by ccap41
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    4 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

    This is just a damn good looking vehicle. 

    Isn't this much larger than an A4? 

    Same wheelbase,  5 inches longer, only 3 inches shorter than the A6.    It's a sharp car..saw it at the auto show this year, haven't seen any in the wild.

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    13 hours ago, smk4565 said:

    So parts on an Escalade cost more than double to parts on a Tahoe?  It’s the same parts!

    Yes, Escalade parts are more expensive as they are NOT the same as a Suburban/Tahoe or Yukon / Yukon XL.

    Perfect example is in the bearing packs in the wheels. They use a higher quality pack that is actually smoother and glides better than what is put into the Chevrolet or GMC version.

    Yes the Platform basics are the same in regards to the frame and basic simple electronics like window switches, etc. But in regards to other areas especially in the power train / suspension / brakes area there are actual differences. Yes some is just electronic programming.

    This is no different than certain differences in your MB product line up where they use a number of identical parts but also do have specific parts that are different.

    This is one of the best I have seen so far showing the difference between the 2020 Escalade ESV and 2020 Suburban on Cargurus.

    image.png

    Realized that this does not open as big to be visually easy to read on smaller screens.

    Here is the Spec.

    image.png

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    They also appear to get a hybrid variant.

    "The 215bhp hybrid model is able to switch between full electric and hybrid modes, achieving up to 30 miles on a single charge of its 13kWh battery pack. The electric motor here is combined with the same 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and bespoke six-speed DSG ’box."

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    4 hours ago, Robert Hall said:

    But Europe LOVES station wagons.  Once the minivan came out in 1984, wagon sales here started to drop until they were less than half by 1990.

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    32 minutes ago, riviera74 said:

    But Europe LOVES station wagons.  Once the minivan came out in 1984, wagon sales here started to drop until they were less than half by 1990.

    It's too bad they aren't still popular here, I like 'em.. the Volvo V90 is a car I'd seriously consider owning.

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    I didn't know where to put this.  I started looking at the VW site to "build" something.

    In terms of sedans, there is the Jetta and there is the Arteon.  The Passat is now gone.  That's sad.  That was their best looking sedan.

    The Arteon's styling is very derivative and it costs too much.  One can spend a little more and get something more "prestigious."  As for the Jetta, it looks like they pumped it up with "steroids" over the years, looks wise, so they could eliminate the Passat.  Now it all makes sense.  It was planned.  In recent years, I've found them difficult to tell apart.  

    The problem is that the Jetta seems to have gotten a smaller engine over time, now at 1.5 L, but with a turbo.  Its saving grace might be that it keeps its geared automatic transmission.

    I had grown to like the very last rendition of the Passat.  It had road manners that were both refined and planted, with better road and tire noise control than the Jetta.

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