Photo: SB-Medien
The Arteon R was supposed to debut at the 2020 Geneva Motor Show, according to earlier reports. However, these spyshots of it testing at the Nurburgring are the first to convince us Volkswagen really will sell the car.
Many performance projects have been delayed or canceled over the years by Volkswagen. But the Arteon R has so many changes over the regular model that it has to be real and nearly ready for launch.
The most obvious upgrade is the exhaust system with four tips. These are square in shape, unlike anything VW has offered before and looked quite similar to the new C8 Corvette, but also older AMG models.
They are probably doing this to differentiate the car from other Vdubs that wear the R badge. Obviously, it would be really nice to have a different engine too. The first reports said that mighty Arteon will boast a 3.0-liter bi-turbo V6 with over 400 horsepower while others hinted at a VR6 2.5-liter, currently offered exclusively in China.
This feels like uncharted territory, but there are precedents. Volkswagen once made a Passat powered by a W8 engine. There was also the Passat R36 and the Arteon's predecessor, the CC 3.6 FSI with about 300 ponies.
If it's not obvious at this point, we want a lot of power. The Arteon is a big boy, heavier than the Passat and longer than an Audi A5 Sportback. The massive air intakes give us hope.
In addition to a new set of bumpers, the Arteon R also sports side skirts and a small trunk spoiler. Ironically, a car that already looks like a Model 3 also boasts nearly identical wheels to Tesla's 20-inch $2,000 "Induction" wheels. Of course, Volkswagen has been offering this turbine-like style since before EVs were a thing.
The launch of the R is meant to coincide with a mid-life facelift. This will update the interior in a few ways, including seats, steering wheel and potentially the gearbox shifter.
The most obvious upgrade is the exhaust system with four tips. These are square in shape, unlike anything VW has offered before and looked quite similar to the new C8 Corvette, but also older AMG models.
They are probably doing this to differentiate the car from other Vdubs that wear the R badge. Obviously, it would be really nice to have a different engine too. The first reports said that mighty Arteon will boast a 3.0-liter bi-turbo V6 with over 400 horsepower while others hinted at a VR6 2.5-liter, currently offered exclusively in China.
This feels like uncharted territory, but there are precedents. Volkswagen once made a Passat powered by a W8 engine. There was also the Passat R36 and the Arteon's predecessor, the CC 3.6 FSI with about 300 ponies.
If it's not obvious at this point, we want a lot of power. The Arteon is a big boy, heavier than the Passat and longer than an Audi A5 Sportback. The massive air intakes give us hope.
In addition to a new set of bumpers, the Arteon R also sports side skirts and a small trunk spoiler. Ironically, a car that already looks like a Model 3 also boasts nearly identical wheels to Tesla's 20-inch $2,000 "Induction" wheels. Of course, Volkswagen has been offering this turbine-like style since before EVs were a thing.
The launch of the R is meant to coincide with a mid-life facelift. This will update the interior in a few ways, including seats, steering wheel and potentially the gearbox shifter.
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