All-New VW Arteon Fastback Breaks Cover

Volkswagen AG on Monday took the wraps off its Arteon midsize car ahead of this week’s Geneva auto show.

Replacing the aging CC, the Arteon will sit above the Passat in VW’s lineup. The fastback sedan features coupe-like styling based on the 2015 Sport Coupe Concept GTE.

The all-new model rides on VW's MQB front-wheel drive architecture. All-wheel drive is optional.

Measuring 191 inches from bumper to bumper, the Arteon is slightly shorter than the Passat but longer, wider and taller than the outgoing CC. Its 112-inch wheelbase is 1.5 inches longer than the Passat's to provide 55.0 cu-ft of interior space with the car's rear-seats down and 19.9 cu-ft with them up.

Described as “avant-garde” and the start of a new era of design for Volkswagen, the car’s low-slung, muscular styling is credited to brand design boss, Klaus Bischoff. Highlights include muscular rear haunches, contoured clamshell hood, a wide multi-slat grille, LED headlights and flared wheel arches. The rear gets a short deck lid, subtle spoiler, LED taillights and dual exhaust pipes.

The interior features VW’s Active Info Display (Digital Cockpit in the U.S.) and a new Discover Pro infotainment system with 9.2-inch glass screen and gesture control  Unlike the four-seat GTE concept, the Arteon can accommodate five occupants.

Powertrain options in Europe include six 4-cylinder engines (three gasoline and three diesel mills), ranging from 148 hp to 276 hp. They can be paired to either a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission or a 6-speed manual. In the American market, VW is expected to offer two versions of the 2.0-liter four-banger at 188 hp and 276 hp.

The Arteon will be launched this summer in Europe. U.S. sales are expected to begin sometime next year.