After years of speculation, the Volkswagen CC gained a successor after almost ten years on the market. But while the four-door coupe configuration carried on, Volkswagen decided to retire the CC nameplate. Fearing that the CC might not rebound from its slow-selling final years, the Germans gave the four-door coupe a massive makeover and renamed it the Arteon. Significantly more appealing thanks to its sporty design, premium interior, and more powerful drivetrain, the Arteon could finally establish VW as a powerful player on the premium market. With the Arteon set to go on sale by the end of 2018, Volkswagen expanded the lineup with an R-Line model.
Slightly sportier on the outside and fitted with a few extra features on the inside, the R-Line become the range-topping model of the Arteon family. That's pretty much available for every VW model out there that doesn't have a GTi or R version, so the move is far from surprising. Unfortunately, the "R-Line" badge comes with no drivetrain upgrades whatsoever, so you'll have to wait a while longer for that performance-oriented sedan with a V-6 engine. Until that happens, let's take a closer look at the Arteon R-Line, which breaks cover at the 2018 New York Auto Show.
Continue reading to learn more about the Volkswagen Arteon R-Line.
2019 Volkswagen Arteon R-Line
- Make: Array
- Model: 2019 Volkswagen Arteon R-Line
- Engine/Motor: inline-4
- Horsepower: 276
- Torque: 258
- [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
What makes the Volkswagen Arteon R-Line special
Just like on any other R-Line model, the visual package is rather subtle. Up front, only the bumper sports noticeable changes. While the standard model features simple side intakes with chrome trim, the R-Line gets C-shaped ornaments in gloss black. The body panels around the vents were also modified and now make contact with the grille surround, thus separating the side intakes from the center vent. A small "R-Line" badge near the right-side headlamps signals that this is a special model.
Onto the sides, we can spot new multi-spoke rims. Available in either 19- or 20-inch sizes, the aluminum-alloy rims are finished in dark, matte grey. Rear end upgrades are again subtle, with only a gloss black spoiler atop the trunk lid to change the Arteon's appearance.
Inside the cabin, customers will be treated to contrast stitching on the steering wheel and the gearshift knob, as well as metallic trim on the dashboard and door panels. The headliner is black no matter the exterior color and the upholstery. Both the pedal covers and the door sills with "R-Line" logos are made from stainless steel for a sporty look. The paddle shifters behind the steering wheel are standard on this model. Finally, there's an "R-Line" logo on the start screen of the MIB-II infotainment system.
Under the hood, the R-Line is a standard Arteon, which is far from surprising. However, while the standard model is also available with a diesel, the R-Line is restricted to a gasoline engine. The new 2.0-liter four-cylinder cranks out 276 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, which travel to the wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The 4Motion all-wheel-drive system is available as an option. With this drivetrain, the Arteon needs 5.6 seconds to hit 60 mph from a standing start, on its way to a top speed of 155 mph.
The R-Line package will be available as soon as the Arteon goes on sale in the fall of 2018.
References
Volkswagen Arteon
Read our full review on the 2018 Volkswagen Arteon.
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