By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(March 13, 2017) Volkswagen’s CC was designed to sit between the Passat sedan and Phaeton, but when VW’s luxury liner left the U.S. market, it became the brand’s top offering. The Arteon, which is built on the same MQB structure that underpins the Golf, Euro-spec Passat, and the Tiguan and Atlas SUVs, replaces the aging CC with a new range topper that swaps the old car’s “fastback with trunk” for a true hatchback. Think of it as VW’s answer to the Audi A7.

The Arteon’s short overhang design drapes a 191.4-in. long body over a 111.9-inch wheelbase. Width is 73.7 inches while height is 56.2 inches. In comparison, a U.S. Passat  is 191.9-inches long, 58.5-inches high, 72.2-inches wide, and sits on a 110.0-inch wheelbase.

Though VW engineers have played with a V6-powered Arteon, the car will launch with six turbocharged four-cylinder engines, not all of which will be available in the U.S. More than likely U.S. buyers will be spared the 148 hp, 1.5-liter gasoline engine, and all three of the diesels.  Until the V6 version arrives, that leaves U.S. buyers with a choice of either a 188 hp or 276 hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four, each mated to a seven-speed DSG gearbox. The lower power engine is available with front-drive only, while the higher output motor comes standard with 4Motion all-wheel drive.

Three trim levels with be offered, Base, Elegance and R-Line. Standard features include a chrome strip around the side window aperture, LED headlamps with LED daytime running lights, LED taillights, alloy wheels, Keyless Go access, stainless steel front and rear door kick plates, an eight loudspeaker Composition Media infotainment system, six-way power adjustable front seats, leather multifunction steering wheel, electronic climate control, Driver Alert System and Progressive Steering.

To this the Elegance trim level adds: chrome door mirror caps, LED taillights with dynamic indicator light function, 18-in. “Muscat” alloy wheels, a continuous lower body work chrome trim strip, heated washer jets, contrast stitching on the seat covers and floor mats, aluminum-look pedal covers, Alcantara/“Vienna” leather seating surfaces, and heated front seats.

Moving up to the R-Line adds: a high-gloss black finish to the front air intakes, multifunction leather R-Line steering wheel, 18-inch “Sebring” alloy wheels, R-Line bumpers, chrome-plated exhaust tips, a “Titan Black” headliner, R-Line logo front door kick plates, and the R-Line logo on the Alcantara/“Vienna” seating surfaces.

Other available features include VW’s Digital Cockpit that replaces analog gauges with a large full-color video screen, the Discover Pro infotainment system with its 9.2-in. glass screen and gesture control, an adaptive cruise control system that adjusts vehicle speed to speed limits and/or route information, a dynamic cornering light system that responds to GPS and road data to begin lighting a corner before the driver alters the vehicle’s course, and a second generation Emergency Assist system that can slow the car down and, when traffic permits, steer to the shoulder should the driver becomes incapacitated.

Production of the Arteon begins in Germany in June. Its American on-sale date and pricing will be set closer to the model’s U.S. launch.

The Virtual Driver