ARTEON. AND ON: Volkswagen is finally getting round to replacing its CC coupe-saloon model, in the process distancing the car from its humbler Passat sibling.
The new car is named Arteon and VW describes it as a "five-door gran turismo". It is also clear that its striking design moves the brand's styling in a more modern direction.
VW says the Arteon is notably spacious for passengers and that its rear hatch opens to reveal a boot with a volume of between 563 litres and 1,557 litres.
Six petrol and diesel engines, with power outputs ranging from 148bhp to 276bhp, will be offered, with double-clutch gearboxes and four-wheel-drive offered on some models.
A version of Audi's digital dashboard will be offered and the Arteon's 9.2-inch infotainment system gains gesture control.
Volkswagen obviously hopes that the Arteon will turn the heads of buyers who might otherwise have considered a BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe or even an Audi A5 Sportback.
Klaus Bischoff, VW's head of design, said the Arteon "combines the design elements of a classic sports car with the elegance and space of a fastback".
"An avant-garde business-class gran turismo, it speaks to the heart and the head alike," he said.
Expect prices to start at around £30,000 - quite a hike from the outgoing CC - when it goes on sale later this year.
