2021 Volkswagen Arteon 2.0T SEL R-Line 4Motion - Re-Driven in Racy
INEARITY APPRECIATED: The debut of Volkswagen Arteon in 2019 was an undisputed effort to steer a VW Passat CC Four Door coupe successor more directly into the prestige lane.
A GRANDER COMFORT COUPE: Namely, a reworked sportsback configuration penned with a lower, more flared shoulder stance, fitted with a potent turbocharged in-line four gas engine, a traditional automatic transaxle and softer variable electronic damping make Arteon a more mature and useful grand tourer than the VW Passat CC attempted. Fighting alone for survival of a dwindling niche in this market, Volkswagen supplied a mildly updated 2021 VW Arteon SEL R-Line 4Motion for a Roadblazing.com Re-Drive.
2021 Volkswagen Arteon 4Motion Driving Hits:
- 268 horsepower from detuned VW EA 888 Gen.3 TFSI Mk. 7 Golf R CXJE
- 258 pound-feet torque
- On demand viscous clutch differential all-wheel drive
- 8-speed automatic torque converter planetary transaxle (exclusive to North America)
- ample surface road & highway overtaking power
- XDS electronic front limited slip differential standard
- Drive modes x 3, include customization of throttle & transmission mapping, suspension damping
- 28 combined miles per gallon, 570 miles highway range
- Fully independent suspension w/ DCC variable electronic damping for a taut but isolated Audi type ride
- Exemplary rigid MQB platform
- Hand hammered fenders and rear quarter panels
- Prestige level of cabin sound isolation
2021 Volkswagen Arteon 4Motion Driving Misses:
- Some mass and body float felt in any less than Sport DCC setting
- Automatic planetary transmission is slow to kickdown and upshifts too soon
- Strained engine noise no match for CC's VR-6 sounds
- Premium unleaded gasoline recommended
2022 Volkswagen Arteon 4Motion - Re-Driven in Racie- R
POWER FINALLY CATCHES UP W/ PRESTIGE VDUB: In 2019, German automaker Volkswagen sent the stylish new Arteon executive sportback car in a renewed stab at an ultra competitive and snobbish American entry prestige vehicle venue. Appreciably more substantial, useful and flashes of Audi distinctive than its predecessor VW Passat CC
George Straton
What the 2021 VW Arteon Has Got:
- Pricing: from $38,190 (incl. destination) for an 8-speed automatic 2021 Volkwagen Arteon SE front-wheel drive.
- As tested top 2021 Volkswagen Arteon SEL R-Line 4Motion all-wheel drive trim priced at $44,985
- Sleek, muscular fastback adaptation of executive sedan with utility of a 5-door sportback
- Attractive straked demi-grille mates with thinner LED headlights reminiscent of an Audi R8
- Accommodates 4.75 grown adults in much better comfort than the preceding Passat CC
- Deeply low cargo bay holds 27.2 cubic feet worth of belongings
- 60/40% split folding 2nd Row seatbacks w/ center pass-through can swallow a couple of bicycles.
- Turned metal dash & door accents, tightly pebbled soft plastics, felt lined door pockets and glove-box, minimized premium acting switches while retaining traditional rotary dual flanking rotary infotainment knobs.
- Comprehensive standard feature set
- √ Keyless entry, push button ignition; √ 3-zone automatic climate control w/ haptics controls;
- √ LED headlights & taillights, rain sensing windshield wipers
- √ Auto dimming rear view mirror, √ Power folding side mirrors; √ Full express power windows x 4
- √ Two-tone leatherette 12-way heated power front seats; √ Leather steering wheel w/ haptic swipe motion controls; √ Stainless steel pedals
- √ 12.3" TFT variable Digital Cockpit w/ map projection;
- √ new 8.0" MIB 3 gesture, swipe and touch LCD media display w/ wireless voice control / alert navigation; √ wireless App-Connect; √ USB-C x 2; √ Bluetooth and smart phone messaging
- +1 Excellent 8-speaker, 320 W streaming audio with HD-radio
- Android Auto, AppleCar Play and MirrorLink phone projection, Sirius XM satellite radio (90 days trial);
- Car-Net concierge w/ Amazon Alexa by subscription with Verizon or T-Mobile
- Excellent safety features & ratings
- +1 IIHS Top Safety Pick
- Driver assist tech (standard)
- Pedestrian & vehicle collision avoidance braking, blind spot & rear cross traffic warning; post collision brake lock
- 4 year / 50,000 miles bumper to bumper warranty includes 2 years maintenance
What the 2021 VW Arteon Has Not (or Not Preferred):
- Adaptive cruise control, Lane Keep Assist w Travel Assist, Auto high beam lights, Road-sign display, Fore and Rear park warning included only on SEL and higher trims
- Power liftgate only on top trim
- Tilting front center armrest distant from console shift lever
- No heated steering wheel
- Plenty of dark grey hard plastic trim wouldn't cut it in prestige executive car
- Lack of front occupant knee padding on doors or center console
- MIB 3 infotainment display remains laggy, glare prone & finger print showcase
- No USB-A port, 12V port x 1 aft of front center console
- No subscription TravelLink satellite travel information apps available
Standout Feature(s) on 2021 VOLKSWAGEN ARTEON SEL R-LINE 4MOTION :
- 30 color customizable variable night cabin accent illumination with upper door panel multi-segment translucent lighting
- Nappa leather seating; 3-position driver's seat & mirror memory, w driver's seat comfort exit
- "R" grille + fender logos, exclusive 19" two tone alloy wheels, unique Sport steering wheel w/ dorsal mounted transmission paddle shifters.
- Illuminated white LED light bar links headlight DRLs across grille
Roadblazing.com Says: Flashes of Audi A7, priced downmarket, aims to earn some prestige grand touring respect.
Contributing Editor: S. Frissell
2019 Volkswagen Arteon SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion - Bottom Line Review
THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR MORE CABIN CCs in a premium grand touring car. Extravagantly priced, cabin compromised, four door, four place grand touring coupes are excused if luxury Teutonic and wearing either a “Three Point Star” [Mercedes CLS],“Blue and White Propeller” [BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe] or Four
George Straton
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