Test of the Volkswagen Arteon R. This car will stir up real emotions
His name alone commands respect and sounds very tough. That's exactly what the Arteon R is like in person. It's a badass that's a joy to drive on city streets, county roads and even motorways on longer journeys. This stylish liftback is very versatile and won't leave you cold for a moment.
Volkswagens use the letter "R" to designate the sporty versions of their cars. What exactly does this mean for the Arteon? Under the hood, you'll find 320 horsepower, and in addition to this higher output, the "erk" model is distinguished by a few other features. For example, there's the transverse bar below the logo on the radiator grille, which is part of the LED headlights, and the whole front bumper is actually kind of redesigned and the sight of its curves is awe-inspiring. At the rear, you'll find four exhaust tips and a diffuser, as well as very interesting taillights in terms of design. In addition, the car I tested was shod with the optional 20-inch wheels (you get 18-inch wheels as standard). I dare say that at first glance you simply can't dislike this car.
Stylish interior
Inside, you'll also find a couple of "erk" decorative elements that are a bit reminiscent of carbon in their texture. The blue stitching and logos with the letter "R" all around were very pleasing to the eye. Of course there are the contoured ergoComfort sports seats. In our case, the driver's seat was electrically adjustable in 14 directions, and it didn't lack a massage function, which is a very useful feature, especially on longer journeys. However, I'll be honest and admit that the massage isn't even that necessary, as the seats are really comfortable to sit in, and even in sharp turns they keep your body firmly in place.
The large touchpad and climate control are also very comfortable. Although you have to concentrate and look at the touchpads when you start using them, after a few rides I was able to operate everything blindly without any problems. You'll also find touch controls on the steering wheel, where you also just need to try out the operation and in no time you'll be operating it like a pro. You shouldn't be when the steering wheel slips so perfectly into your hand. The digital instrument cluster works just as well, where you can choose what driving, vehicle or route information it shows you, and the premium harman kardon audio system is easy on the ears on every journey.
Plenty of space for passengers and luggage
From the outside, the Arteon liftback may not seem to offer much space. Quite the opposite. Even the rear passengers have plenty of room, although the roof slopes quite dramatically. This is thanks to the low bench seat. The boot is not behind with space either, which is very easy and comfortable to access thanks to the giant lid. You'll find a full-sized spare under the floor, but the side pockets for storing smaller items also come in handy. The boot has a capacity of 563 litres at the base, and you can load up to 1,557 litres with the rear seats folded down.
The engine, as it should be
Under the bonnet, you'll find a petrol two-litre four-cylinder engine, which in this version is mated exclusively to a seven-speed automatic gearbox. Maximum engine output is 235 kW and peak torque 420 Nm. I dare say it will offer plenty of excitement for any driver, although it's not a "racer" in the true sense of the word. At almost any time, all you have to do is step on the accelerator, let the gearbox downshift and shoot off towards your destination. Depending on your driving style, you can choose from three preset driving modes - Comfort, Sport and Race. If none of the preset modes suit you, you can set your own under the name Individual. On the sharpest setting, you'll even enjoy an interesting engine soundtrack and in some cases, you can't avoid a harsh crackle. In this case, it is not even necessary to activate the "artificial" engine sound amplifier, which can fortunately be deactivated.
You're probably wondering how the consumption is. Since I drove the vehicle a bit furiously, it hovered around 10 litres per 100 km, but I believe that if the driver tried to drive a bit more economically and didn't step on the gas so much, it would get to a more pleasant figure.
But the important thing is that the Arteon R drives really nicely. Not just the four-wheel drive, but the 20mm lower chassis feels and adds to the positive driving experience. Moreover, the engine works very well with the gearbox, the steering is very precise and the car moves exactly where you send it. The Volkswagen Arteon has confirmed, in my eyes at least, that it's a true sovereign, and I was quite surprised by how beautifully it can transition from a charged sports car to a very comfortable limousine-style ride. It's an all-rounder that performs all functions to a tee.
A few words in conclusion
What can I add to conclude this test? The Volkswagen Arteon R is a car that surprised me greatly and definitely exceeded my expectations. Design-wise, I rank it among the top cars of today, and once you have a chance to experience its driving characteristics, I believe you will fall in love with it like I did. The car I tested almost exceeded the price of two million crowns, but it really had the most exquisite equipment that you often don't even need. The best way to see the car is in your own configuration, which you can create on the manufacturer's website.
