VW Teases Upcoming Four-door 'Coupe', But We Already Know What It Will Look Like

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky

Volkswagen has only revealed one entirely new model since the emissions scandal began, and with CC sales tanking hard, now seems a good time to start on a second.

Planned to be revealed in full at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, VW is teasing the public with some specs on its upcoming range-topper.

Following Volkswagen’s recent tradition of giving new models terrible names, the CC replacement is called the Arteon. The automaker says that the name is a portmanteau of the words “art” and “eon.” The former refers to the car’s sleek look and the latter, according to VW, denotes the premium nature of the vehicle — even though that isn’t what eon/aeon means.

The sweeping roofline means that Volkswagen will likely consider this a four-door “sports coupe.” While irksome to North Americans, it is at least more deserving of the title than the CC and its almost three-box styling. Of course, this all depends on VW’s adherence to this early concept sketch.

Early spy shots suggest that the Arteon will be a sizable, upscale sedan. Sexier and more imposing than the CC, but not nearly so dramatic as the drawings would suggest. It should also be more 5 Series and less Panamera in the rear.

Based on the above doodle and Volkswagen’s own description on how, “The bars of the radiator grille extend here into the three-dimensional front headlights,” expect the Arteon to look a lot like the Sport Coupe Concept GTE that appeared at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show.

Since VW isn’t big on wild redesigns, just close your eyes and imagine a more attractive and meaner-looking Passat with a sloped roofline. Whatever image ended up in your head is already 99 percent accurate.

Technical specifications are spartan at the moment, but Volkswagen did let go that the new car will have a more practical top-hinged tailgate and plenty of storage space in the rear. Interior niceties should abound, and some drivetrain components will likely be sourced from the Passat. A hybrid variant is likely, but diesel models will most definitely remain in Europe.

Like the CC, the Arteon will slot above the Passat in VW’s lineup and isn’t likely to have much company while the company gears itself up for its upcoming SUV offensive. The top-tier coupe-sedan is set to launch in the summer of 2017.

[Images: Volkswagen]

Matt Posky
Matt Posky

A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.

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  • Master Baiter "That said, the Inflation Reduction Act apparently does run afoul of WTO rules..."Pfft. The Biden administration doesn't care about rules. The Supreme Court said they couldn't forgive student load debt; they did it anyway. Decorum and tradition says you don't prosecute former presidents; they are doing it anyway. They made the CDC suspend evictions though they had no constitutional authority to do so.
  • 1995 SC Good. To misquote Sheryl Crow "If it makes them unhappy, it can't be that bad"
  • 1995 SC The letters on the hatch aren't big enough. hard pass
  • Ajla Those letters look like they are from AutoZone.
  • Analoggrotto Kia EV9 was voted the best vehicle in the world and this is the best TOYOTA can do? Nice try, next.
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