We got our first look at Arteon back in 2017, but at this year’s Chicago Auto Show, Volkswagen is revealing the US-market version of the car that will soon replace the dated Passat CC. It’s essentially an Audi in slightly more common clothing.
Powering the Arteon will be a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder churning out 268 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The power goes to either the front wheels or all four via an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Overall, that sounds like the recipe for a decently engaging driving experience, though we won’t know for sure until we get some behind-the-wheel time.
The car does at least leave quite the impression when you see it in person — it follows suit with other sedans in its segment, offering up a fastback, “four-door coupe” silhouette. But unlike some competitors (looking at you, Honda Accord), the Arteon unquestionably pulls off the look while offering genuine hatchback practicality. In profile the Arteon is sleek, and by borrowing from Audi’s playbook (most notably the clamshell hood), the car has unfussy design mostly free of unnecessary creases, folds and facets. The interior is similarly minimal, is spacious both in the front and back and has a cavernous trunk that should easily swallow up all of your things.
While pricing has yet to be announced, the Arteon will purportedly start around $37,000, with additional high-end options like a panoramic sunroof and “Virtual Cockpit” (another thing ripped from Audi) available. Given that, this will likely be a tempting buy for owners looking for something akin to the Audi S5 but want a lower price of entry.
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