Volkswagen’s CC replacement, the Arteon, will make its debut at the 87th Geneva International Motor Show and it looks exactly like we predicted — right down to the color, no less.
Based on VW’s recent teaser shots, the new four-door fastback looks almost identical to the Sport Coupe Concept GTE. However, as fun as it is to gloat, most of the automotive community expected this. Germany’s biggest automaker isn’t exactly known for its flamboyant redesigns and bold styling choices. There are a few remaining unsolved mysteries surrounding the car, however.
While covertly shot images of camouflaged test cars suggest thin-pillar windows, big wheels, and a heavily sloping rear, we don’t know a lot about the sedan’s guts. Volkswagen says the Arteon will “combine avant-garde design with a high level of versatility,” which is really just a clever way of saying nothing at all.
More concrete promises include exceptional head and leg room, even in the back where the sexy roofline seems like it would probably make that promise difficult to keep. Obviously, it will be longer, more luxurious, and more powerful than the Passat. It’s also going to cost more. Leftover Volkswagen CCs came in at around $35,000 and the replacement car is rumored to be a bit dearer.
It’s not yet clear when the Volkswagen Arteon will show up in the United States, but it is expected to launch globally this summer. Of course, anyone visiting Geneva can see it early next month.
[Images: Volkswagen]
It’d be nice if they could put it on the MLB (longitude-FWD) platform, like the Audi models. The Passat has, at different times, been on an Audi platform.
And I’m amazed you can’t get good deals on the CC. The 2013 facelift was tastefully-executed, but as much as it costs, and as unpopular as it is, they should either give you significant money off or just stop importing it here.
Even though they didn’t sell well, they didn’t bring many over so there weren’t that many sitting on the lots. At one point I considered getting an AWD CC and there was maybe 1 within 50 miles (this in the Northeast Corridor). So the dealers didn’t really feel any pressure to move them.
The other problem with them is that the rear seat headroom/legroom was not worth a damn. Less than in a Passat despite costing considerably more. What kind of “luxury” is it to sit in a leather seat if you feel like you are sitting in Spirit economy class with your knees jammed against the next row?
My last (and I do mean last) Audi destroyed itself due to a plastic cam chain tensioner failure. Not just plastic but what looked like the kind of quality plastic that you find in a Happy Meal toy.
One person’s crowded is another person’s well-fitted. I may not want to be cramped, but I also have no more interest in something excessively large than I do wearing anything XXL.
You should do marketing for VW (and all the other makers with cramped back seats). “Buy our new CC – it comes with a well-fitted back seat at no extra charge! Our competitor’s back seats are too big, so you roll around back there like a bowling ball loose in the back of a cargo van, but in our well-fitted seats you’re snug as a bug in a rug!”
Forgive me, but isn’t the CC a “four door coupe”, which has a very sleek fastback-coupe style, but with four doors? Maybe that’s why it has less rear room than a Passat. Hmmmm.
What does cost have to do with interior room, anyway? A Mustang costs far more than a Focus, but it certainly isn’t as well suited to rear passengers.
I would be equally as dumbfounded if I heard someone complaining that they can’t carry rear passengers in comfort even though the Mustang costs more than a 4 or 5 door economy car.
Isn’t compromised rear headroom the price one pays for a 4-door coupe’s style? Isn’t that the whole point of the CC?
If you just want a VAG car that’s nicer than a Passat but isn’t a 4-door coupe with compromised rear headroom, go buy (or lease) an Audi.
There are two lines of VW. There is the cheap “for American” line, and then there is the “imported because we have to”, which would be this car, the R type, the Eos, the Beetle. I bought my TDi because it was the same one I’d get in Europe…not a watered down “US” version. We all know how well that turned out….
Yeah, there are some noticeable differences in both quality and content between my boss’s Golf R, which was imported from Germany, and my Mexican-built Golf SportWagen. I think it’s completely independent of the fact that it’s made in Mexico, but VW skimped on the US-market Golfs.
It’d also be nice if they built a real coupe out of it. You know, a coupe with only two doors.
:)
This is the first entry in a new game, “car or eeveelution”.
The product doesn’t matter; the name is a deal killer. VW is run by morons.
@SCE to AUX
They just overtook Toyota Globally for No1. Imagine where they would be if they were bright?
Yes, I can imagine they wouldn’t be in turmoil over their diesel engines.
@SCE to AUX
Well actually no. Diesel gate is behind them and guess what they are pumping out new ones
Behind them?! Are you serious? So is it hard to afford a 1500 dollar a day blow addiction?
@RobertRyan: Now I know for sure you’re a VW shill.
There are stories almost daily about the ongoing investigation and lawsuits, and how it’s creeping like Watergate right to the top of the VAG organization, and you try to claim the scandal is behind them?! That’s funny.
Oh he’s serious all right. All the investigations and recent accusations along with the infamous power point, its all just white noise as VW is surging along care-free without a whisper of trouble in the world.
There must be something in the water in Australia, or someone is very good at taking their stupid pill every morning.
@SCE to AUX
They are currently no 1 overtaking Toyota,, pumping out new cars, gas and diesel and have healthy profits. Problems ,Fake News? Read more than the sensationalist headlines
http://money.cnn.com/2016/07/20/news/companies/volkswagen-earnings-rebound/
Your concern should be about GM and what Mary. Barra is doing to it. Loss of Opel and Vauxhall is not good, shuts GM out of the very big EU market. Would not be surprised if it GM files for bankruptcy again.
Did they lose the trademark for Corrado or do they just like dumb names?
They’re not GM so they’re not going to dishonor an old name. A good dumb name would be Passado? Gets the idea across!
There is always Quantum.
@Adam Tonge
Dumb Names? People laughed at Amarok, but it means wolf in Inuit. Corrado is not bad.
At least they are not using such generic names as HellCat or the equally cringeworthy Demon
Guard that bridge, Troll. NONE SHALL PASS!!!
“People laughed at Amarok”
why did a Chevy commercial just start running through my brain?
“Like a rock….”
@jalop1991
Not a Chevy commercial, but the Rock part of Amarok stuck in my head too.
Anyone remember this song by Simon & Garfunkel?
I Amarok
I am an Aaaaarteeon!
:-)
@Ermel,
Very good
Get yer Arty ON!
So sedans are pretty much dead meat in America.
And yet VW is bringing a ~$40K (give or take) sedan to the market to replace a $35K sedan than didn’t sell well either?
This is a problem.
And let us not forget the other elephant in the Autohaus: If you can afford a $40K Farteon (VW likes to name cars after hot winds), why not step up to an A6 for only another ~$7K? Since most people buy based upon car payment/lease payment, the pricing difference between these two will be pretty minimal…
@BoogerROTN
VW has only 4 % of it’s global sales in the US,so not the market really for the Arteon
Maybe they’d have a bigger share in the U.S. if they hadn’t cheated, lied and tried to cover it up.
Running commercials comparing “Volksvvagen’s clean diesel technology”, as Hitler the Beetle would say, against the Prius, a car that built its reputation around being ultra environmentally friendly. If that isn’t a big F U to this country, I don’t know what is.
Lets build a car that emits 40x the allowed limits of a respiratory affecting toxins and then compare it to a car know for ultra low emissions. Zat vill show zee ignorant swine how ve Germans feel about zem!
@Tiny Troll, who cares. 4 % is tiny.
Sell it in the UK and call it the SIR ROCCO . . .!
@JEFFSHADOW
Arteon, would be sufficient
It will be interesting to see what engine they decide to use for Arteon. Although it is basically better damped and isolated Passat with frameless windows, it would be a shame to use the base engine from US Passat, and that V6 is long in tooth..
As long as we are on the 4 door coupe subject, who else likes that new Mercedes AMG GT4 concept? Good looks, and the drivetrain from the E63, that does sound like a fun car..
My guess: 2.0 turbo, 270 HP
Why aren’t they selling the Scirocco in the US?
Doesn’t make sense to sell it alongside the GTI here. Maybe if they made the Scirocco a CUV…
Behold, the VW Malibu!