Volkswagen has released prices and specs for its new five-door coupe, the Arteon.
The five-door fastback arrives in VW showrooms from September, priced from £34,305.
Sitting above the Passat in Volkswagen’s range, the Arteon promises five-seat hatchback practicality wrapped in a coupe-like shape.
It will go up against similar models from Audi, BMW and Mercedes.
If £34,000 seems a little steep for a Volkswagen fear not, cheaper models will follow in due course.
At launch the most affordable Arteon will come with a 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
For now, UK buyers will be offered two trim lines – Elegance and R-Line – while three engine options are available for now.
Later this year we’ll get entry-level cars using VW’s new 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine, tuned to 148bhp and available with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DSG. A mid-spec 187bhp 2.0-litre TSI petrol with a DSG gearbox will also be added.
Standard kit includes Discover Navigation system with eight-inch colour touchscreen, 12.3in Active Info Display, 18in alloys, leather upholstery, three zone climate control, Bluetooth audio and telephone connectivity, and Volkswagen Media Control, which enables passengers to control the infotainment system via a smartphone or tablet.
All models are front-wheel drive apart from the 276bhp 2.0 TSI and 237bhp 2.0 TDI engines, which come with all-wheel drive as standard.
VW intends the Arteon to appeal on practicality as well as style and its 563 litre boot is a lot bigger than the 480 litres of the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe and Audi A5 Sportback.
jmckeown@thecourier.co.uk