The avant-garde model for the business class: the Arteon. A design statement. In autumn 2020, the gran turismo underwent an extensive technological upgrade. At the same time, Volkswagen launched a second version with a different body: the new Arteon Shooting Brake. And now in spring 2021, the product line’s new flagship models are ready to go – the Arteon R and Arteon R Shooting Brake. Delivering an output of 235 kW (320 PS), they are now the most powerful Arteon models. Both sports and touring vehicles were designed by Volkswagen R, the brand’s performance specialists. The two new versions of the Arteon are the latest milestones in the R product campaign: In the space of six months, Volkswagen R launched not one but five new flagship models for their respective product lines: the Touareg R, Golf R, Tiguan R, Arteon R and Arteon R Shooting Brake. The T-Roc R has also been available since 2019. The first independent R model made its debut back in summer 2002 and has since become renowned as a classic: the Golf R32 – it was the first spark in a firework display of premium R models that has lasted to this day. Common denominators: permanent all-wheel drive, exclusive equipment and good every-day driving attributes without any compromises.
EA888 evo4 plus 4MOTION with R-Performance torque vectoring
High-tech drive. The heart of the new Arteon R models’ drive system is a 320 PS four-cylinder turbocharged direct injection (TSI) engine from the series EA888 evo4. From 2,000 rpm, the lively, cultivated and highly agile 2.0-litre engine delivers 420 Newton meters of torque towards the type-DQ500 7-speed DSG dual clutch gearbox designed especially for these high forces. If necessary, the automatic unit’s gears can be changed manually using the new, large shift paddles, whose upgraded design makes them easy to use on the race track. From the dual clutch gearbox, the drive power is transferred to the newly developed 4MOTION system with R-Performance torque vectoring. The permanent all-wheel drive is characterised by selective wheel torque control on the rear axle – a feature known as torque vectoring. Here, a new rear axle drive distributes the drive power not just between the front and rear axles, but also between the two rear wheels. And it does so seamlessly. Depending on the situation, 50 to 100 percent of the drive force flows to the front axle and between 0 and 50 percent to the rear axle. On the rear axle, however, up to 100 percent of the torque arriving there can be directed to the wheel on the outside of the curve. This significantly improves agility, particularly when cornering. The driver is able to use a standard driving profile selection function to adjust the way power is distributed to the rear wheels. The Arteon R and Arteon R Shooting Brake come equipped with four driving profiles: Comfort, Sport (standard profile in R models), Individual (can be configured) and Race. The Race profile is an exclusive feature in R models.
Adaptive sports running gear and 18-inch front axle brake
DCC and wheels with a diameter of up to 20 inches. The standard sports running gear has been carefully honed to form an alliance with the drive systems. The bodies of the Arteon R and Arteon R Shooting Brake are 20 mm lower as a result of this sports running gear; the lower centre of gravity and stiffer tuning help to boost the driving dynamics further. Another feature included as standard is the adaptive chassis control: DCC. The driver can use the driving profile selection to individually adjust this ongoing electronic regulation of the shock absorbers. Thanks to the DCC function, drivers can choose to almost seamlessly adjust the running gear between sporty and comfortable. The R models’ high power is delivered to the road via 18-inch alloy wheels (Sebring) with 245 tyres. The Adelaide (19-inch) or Estoril (20-inch) alloy wheels are available as options – and finished with a burnished look.
Top-quality brakes. The blue brake calipers (with a silver R logo on the front wheels) for the new brake system are clearly visible behind the large 20-inch wheels. The brake calipers are responsible for the response of a true sports car: the Arteon R models decelerate just as well as they accelerate. To be more specific, the 18-inch disc brakes in the front measure 357 x 34 mm, while on the rear axle, both gran turismos are decelerated by 17-inch disc brakes (disc dimension: 310 x 22 mm). The brakes themselves are built with pin discs and a brake pot made of aluminium, which reduces the weight by 600 grams on each side. A speed-dependent map in the electromechanical brake servo ensures precise brake control.
Up to 270 km/h and Race mode available at the touch of a button on the steering wheel
Fast and efficient. The performance figures reveal at a glance that the two Arteon R models accelerate just as well as they brake: in just 4.9 seconds, the Arteon R and Arteon R Shooting Brake complete the classic sprint from 0 to 100 km/h. The R models reach their standard maximum speed at 250 km/h. In conjunction with the 20-inch wheels and 245/35 tyres, Volkswagen also offers the option to increase the maximum speed to 270 km/h for the fastback and Shooting Brake. The combined NEDC consumption value for both models is between 7.9 and 7.7 l/100 km. According to the WLTP standard, the combined consumption is 9.3 to 8.9 l/100 km for the Arteon R and 9.3 to 9.0 l/100 km in the case of the Arteon R Shooting Brake.
Race driving profile can be activated from the steering wheel. The electronic adaptive chassis control (DCC), the electronic differential lock XDS, progressive steering, the new 4MOTION system and the agile four-cylinder turbocharged engine create incredible driving dynamics. Achieving the ultimate sporty driving style is a matter of mere seconds thanks to a small button with a blue light-up R activated from the multifunction steering wheel: with the Race driving profile. This profile switches features like the engine, running gear, steering system and gearbox to maximum dynamics, transforming both Arteon R models from a gran turismo into a sports car that is ready for the race track. To perfectly hone the driving dynamics when pushed to their limit, the chassis engineers worked with Pirelli to make sure even the tyres are tuned specifically to the Arteon R and Arteon R Shooting Brake. To make sure this careful tuning is maintained when the original tyres have to be replaced later down the line, Volkswagen will offer these tyres for the flagship Arteon models over the long term.
Premium all-rounder as the ideal companion for long distances
A comfortable touring car. All of Volkswagen’s R models are not only extremely sporty, but also practical all-rounders ideal for use all year round. And this is particularly true of the new Arteon R and Arteon R Shooting Brake: with their high standard of comfort, a generous vehicle interior that is larger than average (up to 1,016 mm of legroom in the rear, a best-in-class figure), and a digitalised environment of controls and communication, they are ideally suited to long-distance journeys. An extensive network of assist systems, including the standard ACC Adaptive Cruise Control or the optional Travel Assist (partly assisted driving up to 210 km/h), help to ensure the highest standard of safety.
Versatile and powerful. Two examples of their unlimited suitability for day-to-day driving are the size of their luggage compartments and their compatibility as towing vehicles. Both luggage compartments have a wide opening angle and are accessible via large boot lids. Behind the sharp-angled boot lid in the Arteon R Shooting Brake, the luggage compartment capacity reaches up to 565 litres if you load up to the rear seat backrest and the height of the luggage compartment cover. In the case of the fastback with its coupé-style boot lid, the capacity reaches 563 litres. Loaded up to the backrests for the front seats, the luggage compartment volume in the Shooting Brake reaches 1,632 litres, while the fastback version is 1,557 litres. Both Arteon R models are offered with an optional folding towing bracket, which is electrically unlocked and then folded out prior to use. Thanks to the powerful engine and standard 4MOTION system, the Arteon R and Arteon R Shooting Brake can tow trailers weighing up to 2,200 kg (braked, on inclines up to 12%).
R-specific customised exterior
Front section with an R design. Volkswagen R has customised both the design and the equipment in the Arteon R models. Take the front section, for example: with a bonnet that appears to blend into the radiator grille, LED dual headlights and LED daytime running light wings (below the outer headlights), it is as striking as all other Arteon models. Equipped as standard in the Arteon R and Arteon R Shooting Brake, the crossbar below the VW badge in the radiator grille forms part of the LED daytime running lights and enhances the models’ unique appearance. Furthermore, the 320 PS versions come equipped with a unique front apron that helps them to stand out from all other models in the product line: instead of featuring the chrome-look finish, the crossbars come in a high-gloss black to highlight the athletic nature of the R models. At the sides, two air intake openings with a colour-keyed surround for the high-performance engine’s extra radiator and brakes join forces with aerodynamically refined air flow elements in high-gloss black.
Rear section with four tailpipes and diffuser. The two R versions also stand out from the standard models at the rear: a four-piped exhaust system developed especially for the Arteon R with its four trapezoidal tailpipes is a visually dominant feature that has been embedded into the newly designed diffuser. The exhaust system generates a sporty sound, and its intensity can be varied using the driving profile selection function.
R-specific finish to the vehicle interior
ArtVelours and Nappa leather. The vehicle interior in the Arteon R models is shaped by features such as Black Carbon inserts, which adorn the top section of the dash panel and door panels. Other interior features created specifically for the new models include the blue stitching on the seats, multifunction sports steering wheel and DSG gear knob, a hallmark feature in any R model. The bottom steering wheel clip is also finished with a blue insert to complement the stitching. Furthermore, the models come with premium comfort seats as standard. The seats are covered in ArtVelours micro-fleece. A blue R badge is embroidered onto the top section of the front seat backrests. The optional sports seats in Nappa / Nappa Carbon Style are also specially tailored to the Arteon R and Arteon R Shooting Brake – in this case, the head restraints are integrated completely into the backrests, which is why this type of seat is known as an integrated seat. Chic: the top side sections of the backrests come in blue leather. And of course, a blue R badge is also stitched into the top of the backrest in this model. The blue used in the interior is similar to the typical metallic Lapiz Blue paintwork used in Volkswagen R models. The Nappa Carbon Style leather (used on the seat cushion bolsters and head restraints in the interior) picks up the visual line of the inserts in the instruments and door trims.
Arteon R and Arteon R Shooting Brake now available to order
Exclusive as standard. The Arteon R and Arteon R Shooting Brake are not only offered with customised equipment, but also with a broadly expanded standard equipment package. In addition to the R-specific details, their extra features include 3D LED tail light clusters with a dynamic turn signal, exterior mirror caps with a chrome-look finish (mirror on the driver side with automatic dimming function), Light Assist (automatic lighting control), a headliner in Titanium Black, brushed stainless steel pedals, boot lids with sensor-controlled opening and closing (Easy Open & Close), DCC adaptive chassis control including driving profile selection, and a background lighting system with 30 different colours in the vehicle interior. All Arteon models are equipped with the Digital Cockpit Pro (digital instruments with a 10.25-inch TFT colour display and customised R graphics including R logo) and the Discover Media navigation system including Streaming & Internet as standard.
Already available to order in Europe. Orders for the new Arteon R models are already open. Both Volkswagens can also be configured online. Taking Germany as an example: the Arteon R is on sale for EUR 63,095.00 while the Arteon R Shooting Brake is available from EUR 63,980.00. The first vehicles are due to arrive with Volkswagen dealerships in April.