[Asia Economy Reporter Suyeon Woo] The Volkswagen Arteon (pictured) is leading the popularization of the domestic imported sedan market based on its design competitiveness and practicality. The Arteon boldly abandons the traditional design with a neat appearance adopted by existing sedans and implements a stylish look by introducing the sharp fastback style of a sports car.
Not only in design but also in solid fundamentals, ride comfort, driving feel, and safety, it has gained more recognition compared to models in the same class, recording sales close to 2,000 units in the domestic market alone this year.
In the domestic market, the Arteon is sold as the front-wheel-drive models 2.0 TDI Premium and 2.0 TDI Prestige, and the all-wheel-drive model 2.0 Prestige 4Motion. All three models harmonize a 2.0 TDI engine with a 7-speed transmission, delivering a maximum output of 190 horsepower and a maximum torque of 40.8 kg·m.
The official fuel efficiency of the Arteon is 15.2 km/ℓ for the front-wheel-drive model and 13.4 km/ℓ for the all-wheel-drive model based on combined mileage. The actual mileage running in urban and highway conditions ranges between 20 to 25 km, boasting high fuel efficiency.
Additionally, the Arteon is equipped with the 'Adaptive Chassis Control' feature, which is usually applied only to sports cars or high-performance premium models. This function monitors road conditions and the driver's driving habits to adjust the shock absorbers and body suspension accordingly.
The Arteon is also recognized for its safety. In the Euro NCAP 'Adult Occupant Protection' category, the Arteon's proactive occupant protection system received a high score of 95%. If a collision risk is anticipated from the front or rear due to abnormal vehicle operation, the system automatically tightens the front seat belts and closes the sunroof to maximize occupant safety.
The biggest reason the Arteon is recognized in the imported sedan market is its price competitiveness, which is not inferior even compared to domestic cars. The domestic sales prices of the Arteon are 53.9 million KRW for the front-wheel-drive 2.0 TDI Premium, 58.9 million KRW for the Prestige, and 61.9 million KRW for the all-wheel-drive 2.0 TDI Prestige 4Motion.
Moreover, as of last November, with Volkswagen Financial Services promotion benefits and individual consumption tax reduction benefits, it is possible to purchase from the mid-40 million KRW range, which is similar to the price range of fully equipped premium sedans in Korea.
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