In a nutshell:
- New plug-in hybrid Volkswagen Arteon revealed for first time
- Features 1.4 petrol engine married to 115 PS electric motor
- Electric powertrain available on both Saloon and Shooting Brake models
- Electric-only driving range of 39 miles and fuel consumption expected to be upwards of 250 mpg
The best looking car in the VW range just got a whole lot more attractive - because the Arteon is now available as a plug-in hybrid
From any angle, VW’s executive saloon is sumptuous.
The sculpted bodywork turns heads, the interior is right up there with anything being produced by BMW or Audi, and there’s acres of room for passengers, too.
Lease customers already have a decent choice of engines.
A 2.0 litre petrol creating 316bhp will soon be available in the upcoming, sporty ‘R’ version, while a frugal, mile-munching 200 PS diesel mill can return 51 miles to the gallon while also sprinting from 0-62mph in under 8 seconds.
Now fans are even more spoilt for choice, thanks to a newly-unveiled eHybrid variant which is available across both standard Saloon and ‘Shooting Brake’ estate body styles.
The new system comprises a 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine supported by an electric motor, working together to provide a peak power output of 218 PS and torque of 400 Nm.
Thanks to a 13 kWh battery there’s an electric-only range of up to 39 miles, while the 115 PS electric motor can power the Arteon along at speeds up to 80 mph on its own.
All that torque and grunt means the eHybrid can go from stationary to 62mph in 7.8 seconds - proving quicker than the diesel - and then on to a top speed of 138 mph.
So far VW is keeping its cards close to its chest when it comes to fuel efficiency. But you need only glance at the hybrid Passat GTE to see what might be on offer - with the GTE promising a very healthy 266 mpg.
And VW has revealed that the Arteon eHybrid will emit a low 27 g/km of CO2, which should prove extremely kind to your tax bill.
Two equipment lines remain available – Elegance and R-Line – with the latest hybrid drivetrain available on both
Elegance models get adaptive cruise control, a leather steering wheel, heated front seats with leather side bolsters, an 8 inch infotainment touchscreen alongside VW’s 10.25 inch ‘Digital Cockpit Pro’, which replaces the traditional dials.
Meanwhile R-Line cars get 19-inch ‘Montevideo’ alloys fitted as standard, an R-Line body kit and a sunroof.
And when it comes to charging, the battery in the new eHybrid can be replenished in five hours using a domestic 3-pin plug. This time reduces to 3hrs 33mins when using 3.6kW AC charger.
Lisa Hartley, Arteon Product Manager at Volkswagen UK, said: “We are really excited to be adding an electrified model to the Arteon range and these eHybrid models are ready to impress with their own distinctive styling and high levels of efficiency.
“With an electric-only range of up to 39 miles we expect many customers will be able to achieve zero-emissions driving for most day-to-day trips.”
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