Volkswagen Arteon 2.0 TDI 150PS UK 2017 first drive

The Volkswagen Arteon is considered the new face of the brand, with styling that will be carried over to other models in the range.

Bearing striking resemblance to the Sport Coupé GTE concept unveiled at the Geneva motor show in 2015, the new fastback is being positioned above the Volkswagen Passat as the new flagship model, rather than as a replacement for the CC.

We have already tried the Arteon on German roads with the range-topping 2.0 TSI and TDI engines. In addition, a 1.5 TSI (as found in the latest Volkswagen Golf), a 2.0 TSI 190 and 148bhp and 187bhp 2.0 TDIs will all be added to the range before the end of the year.

The 148bhp 2.0 TDI is the engine we are most interested in, because Volkswagen envisages that it will make up more than 60% of Arteon sales, with most opting for the seven-speed DSG auto, rather than the standard six-speed manual 'box.

So guess which configuration we chose?

Volkswagen's 2.0 TDI engine isn’t a new unit on us. We have seen it in everything from the Golf through to the Volkswagen Tiguan, and the headlines are as follows: it’s a smooth, refined and frugal unit.

That is why its strengths aren’t a surprise in the Volkswagen Arteon. The oilburner is at its happiest when at a constant motorway cruise with the engine barely audible. It makes eating up large distances easy.

Where the 2.0 TDI comes up short is from a standstill, where it feels slightly sluggish and doesn’t pick up speed as quickly as at any other time. It’s not an inconvenience, but it is more trying when attempting a quick getaway at roundabouts or junctions.

The seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox is a delight, quickly and swiftly changing ratios around you without any fuss, while the ability to hold onto first gear compensates for the engine’s lack of thrust.

The ride on the Arteon is very good, having previously being left unconvinced with the car on 20in wheels. The larger side walls on the 18in and 19in alloys found as standard on the respective Elegance and R-Line trimmed cars help improve the overall damping, although the larger wheels do make the car more fidgety over broken surfaces.

Volkswagen has clearly set up the Volkswagen Arteon with cruising in mind and it shows with the way it has tuned the steering rack. It's quick, making the Arteon agile when cornering, while it's also remote and light.