2018 – Volkswagen Arteon – Grey

Description

Overview

The 2018 Volkswagen Arteon is a premium four-door fastback that combines the practicality of a large hatchback with the sleek appearance of a coupe. It was introduced as the successor to the Volkswagen CC and positioned near the top of Volkswagen’s passenger-car range. Its design is particularly distinctive, with a wide front grille flowing into the LED headlights, a low roofline, frameless doors and strong character lines along the body.

Finished in Grey, the Arteon has a sophisticated and understated appearance. The colour works particularly well with the car’s chrome detailing, LED lighting and sculpted bodywork, giving it an executive look while retaining a sporty character. The Arteon is also relatively large, measuring around 191 inches (4.85 m) long in specifications reported for the early model.

Exterior Design

The Arteon’s exterior is one of its strongest characteristics. The front end features a broad grille integrated visually with the headlights, creating a distinctive horizontal appearance. LED headlights, sculpted bonnet lines and a low front profile give the car a modern and purposeful look.

From the side, the long wheelbase and frameless windows emphasize its coupe-like proportions. At the rear, the sloping roof flows into a practical liftback tailgate rather than a conventional boot, making the Arteon both stylish and useful. Depending on specification, features can include larger alloy wheels, R-Line exterior styling, LED lighting and a sportier bumper design.

Interior and Comfort

Inside, the 2018 Arteon provides a spacious and premium-feeling cabin. The dashboard follows Volkswagen’s clean, horizontal design philosophy, with quality materials, a digital instrument display and a centrally positioned infotainment system. Higher-specification versions can feature leather or Alcantara upholstery, ambient lighting, sports steering wheels and additional trim details.

Passenger space is a major advantage. The long wheelbase provides generous rear legroom, making the Arteon comfortable for longer journeys. The main compromise is rear headroom, because the attractive sloping roof reduces available space for particularly tall passengers.

Engine and Performance

Engine availability varied considerably depending on the market. Early Arteons were offered with turbocharged four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, including 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre petrol versions and several 2.0-litre TDI diesel outputs. Some markets received the powerful 2.0 TSI producing around 280 hp, paired with 4MOTION all-wheel drive and a seven-speed DSG transmission.

The 280-hp 2.0 TSI version is particularly quick, with contemporary tests reporting approximately 0–100 km/h in 5.6 seconds and a limited top speed around 250 km/h. The 190-hp 2.0 TSI provides a more balanced combination of performance and everyday usability.

Transmission and Driving

Depending on engine and market, the Arteon could be equipped with either a manual transmission or Volkswagen’s DSG dual-clutch automatic. Four-wheel-drive versions use Volkswagen’s 4MOTION system, while other versions are front-wheel drive.

On the road, the Arteon is designed more as a comfortable and refined grand tourer than an outright sports car. Its long body remains easy enough to drive around town, while the suspension and quiet cabin make it particularly well suited to highway journeys. More powerful R-Line versions add stronger acceleration and, where fitted, adaptive suspension and different driving modes.

Technology and Infotainment

Technology was an important part of the Arteon’s appeal. Depending on specification, features included a digital Active Info Display, touchscreen infotainment, navigation, smartphone connectivity, wireless phone charging and Volkswagen’s Discover Pro system. Volkswagen also offered a 9.2-inch Discover Pro display with gesture control on higher-specification versions.

The digital driver’s display can present information such as vehicle data and navigation directly in front of the driver, giving the cabin a more modern feel. Higher specifications can also include a head-up display.

Safety and Driver Assistance

The 2018 Arteon was equipped with a substantial selection of driver-assistance technology, although exact equipment depends on the market and trim level. Available systems included adaptive cruise control, lane assistance, blind-spot monitoring, parking assistance, cameras and sensors, along with other active safety systems. Volkswagen specifically highlighted the Arteon’s advanced driver-assistance systems when the model was launched.

Boot Space and Practicality

Despite its coupe-like appearance, the Arteon is highly practical. The large liftback tailgate opens to a 563-litre luggage compartment, while folding the rear seats increases capacity to approximately 1,557 litres. This gives it considerably more flexibility than a traditional sedan with a conventional boot.

The combination of five seats, generous rear legroom and a large opening tailgate makes the Arteon suitable for both family use and long-distance travel. The fastback design therefore provides much of the visual appeal of a coupe without sacrificing as much everyday practicality.

Key Features

• Grey exterior finish

• Four-door, five-seat fastback/liftback body

• Frameless doors

• Wide integrated front grille

• LED headlights and rear lighting

• Alloy wheels

• R-Line styling on higher-specification versions

• Turbocharged petrol and diesel engine options

• 7-speed DSG automatic available depending on engine/market

• 4MOTION all-wheel drive on selected versions

• Digital Active Info Display

• Touchscreen infotainment

• Navigation on higher specifications

• Smartphone connectivity

• Wireless phone charging on selected versions

• Adaptive cruise control

• Blind-spot monitoring

• Parking sensors/assistance

• Rear-view or 360-degree camera depending on specification

• Automatic climate control on higher trims

• Leather/Alcantara upholstery on selected versions

• Ambient interior lighting

• Large 563-litre boot

• Up to approximately 1,557 litres with rear seats folded.

Overall Description

The 2018 Volkswagen Arteon Grey is a distinctive executive fastback that successfully combines elegant styling, strong performance and everyday practicality. Its long, low body, frameless doors and wide front grille give it considerably more visual presence than a conventional Volkswagen, while the spacious cabin and large liftback boot make it practical for daily use.