Why Did Volkswagen Just Upgrade The 2022 Arteon?
Volkswagen America has just released information on some updates to the sleek looking Arteon. This news comes after Volkswagen in Malaysia launched the Arteon R-Line a few weeks ago in July 2021.
This news will not confuse Malaysian Arteon buyers who might think it will be better to wait and get the latest version or not.
Debuting locally a year after the original Arteon made its Malaysian debut, the big news surrounding this facelifted flagship would be what lies under the hood.
That is because power for this updated VW fastback comes courtesy of an uprated EA888 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, that now outputs 90 PS and 30 Nm more than its pre-facelift predecessor at 280 PS and 350 Nm respectively.
PRESS RELEASE: For the 2022 model year, the Volkswagen Arteon will be available in three trims—SE R-Line, SEL R-Line and SEL Premium R-Line—with R-Line content now standard inside and out.
The Arteon also features a new 2.0-liter TSI engine that produces 300 hp and an impressive 400Nm of torque, up from 268 hp and 350Nm of torque in the previous models (the model on sale in Malaysia right now).
A seven-speed DSG transmission with Tiptronic replaces the eight-speed automatic.
The SE R-Line features a new 18-inch wheel design, adds front and rear Park Distance Control, and includes wireless charging for compatible phones. For the SEL R-Line, 4Motion all-wheel drive is now standard, and 20-inch dark graphite wheels are available. The SEL Premium R-Line retains the same level of premium content as the 2021 model year.
The Volkswagen Arteon first arrived in Malaysia in August 2020 which was almost two years after its global launch and its launch in neighbouring Singapore.
This local assembled Arteon was priced at RM221,000 and the recent Arteon 4MOTION was priced at launch at RM247,000.
The delayed arrival was due to local assembly in Pekan which takes time to organise and this means the above latest version that has just been announced with a 400Nm engine working with a seven-speed DSG transmission with Tiptronic will nit be arriving any time soon.
In fact, with the current slowdown in the Malaysian auto market and the time it will take to recover, we are sure that Malaysians will have to wait for the completely new 2nd generation Arteon to be launched in Europe in end of 2022 or early 2023.
Meanwhile, we are sure your nearest Volkswagen dealer will offer a generous discount for the current local assembled Arteon in this economic climate.