Three new VW R-Line additions debut locally

By thoriq, 12 August 2020

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) presented three new additions into its line up, all kitted out in its sporty R-Line trimline. Arriving with the brand’s sporty treatment are the Arteon four-door coupe, a peppy new Allspace variant of the Tiguan SUV, as well as a sportier offshoot of the recently refreshed Passat saloon.

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We’ll start with perhaps the most eagerly awaited new Vee-Dub to hit out shores, by which we mean the Arteon coupaloon thingy.

Unfortunately, the R-Line kitted car shown today isn’t based on the recently refreshed Arteon, but it is assembled locally (CKD), thus explaining its tempting RM221,065 price tag with the current tax-break in affect.

Sure, it costs over RM39k more than the refreshed and handsomely kitted Passat 2.0 TSI Elegance we tested earlier. However, we’re certain this sporty four-door fastback’s availability solely in R-Line trim ought to entice those seeking a sportier twist to VW’s elegant and posh saloon formula.

The Arteon’s peppy 2.0-litre TSI 4cyl turbo heart and 7-speed DSG (wet clutch) package (similar to the Passat’s) backs up the sporty looks, with the former delivering 187bhp and 320Nm to the front wheels. VPCM were coy on performance figures, but our guess is that it’ll be just as quick as its ‘regular’ saloon cousin.

Bolstering the Arteon R-Line’s sporty credentials are the presence of VW’s Dynamic Chassis Control (DSS) multi-mode adaptive damping suite, 19-inch two-tone turbine-styled alloy wheels, plus the addition of a sporty flat-bottomed steering wheel wrapped in Carbon Fibre-effect Nappa leather.

Other notable kit include a 360-degree parking monitor, tri-zone automatic climate control, 14-way power adjustable front seats with driver memory functions, three-colour ambient lighting, a sizeable 11.7-inch digital dash display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto-equipped 9.7-inch touchscreen infotainment unit, a crisp 700watt and 11-speaker Dynaudio hi-fi setup, as well as a powered rear hatch.

The only things absent here are autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and a blind-spot monitor (BSM). Nevertheless, the Arteon R-Line remains to be a rather safe car if the presence of 7 airbags, AND with EBD and BA, tyre pressure monitor, and ISOFIX childseat anchors are anything to go by.

Need something bigger and more practical? VPCM also introduced the new Tiguan Allspace today, which is available in both 1.4 TSI Highline and 2.0 TSI R-Line forms.

Effectively, this is a slightly stretched version of VW’s popular SUV offering that now offers seating for seven across three rows. Aptly, the 1.4 TSI Highline variant of the Allspace will sate the needs of those wanting the additional carrying capacity over the regular 5-seat version that we sampled not too long ago.

What’s really interesting here is the addition of racy-looking and much peppier 2.0 TSI R-Line variant that now serves as the Tiguan model line’s range-topper.

In this form, this 7-seat SUV shares the same peppy 2.0-litre TSI 4cyl turbo and 7-speed DSG (wet clutch) transmission package as found in the Arteon R-Line mentioned earlier. Crucially, said package gets beefed up further with the addition of VW’s signature 4Motion all-wheel-drive (AWD) suite to deliver the necessary traction.

Apart from its racier exterior and sporty 19-inch alloy wheels, the flagship SUV also gets a pair of R-Line-specific front seats, steering wheel, aluminium pedals, aluminium scuff plates, ‘Dark Grid’ inserts, as well as a black cabin headliner. It also benefits further with a ore advanced 9.2-inch infotainment touchscreen unit, as well as both a multi-mode DCC adaptive damping and Hill Descent Control suites.

With the added space and seats, the Tiguan Allspace 1.4 TSI Highline variant’s RM165,000 price tag (with SST exemption) sees a slight RM7,908 price bump over the five-seat Tiguan 1.4 TSI Highline JOIN variant on sale now. The flagship 2.0 TSI R-Line, on the other hand, now sits at the very top with its RM209,575 asking figure.

Lastly comes the new R-Line variant of the recently refreshed Passat saloon.

Previewed alongside the Arteon and Tiguan Allspace today, VPCM are now accepting orders for this sportier iteration of its venerable D-segment saloon at a tentative price between RM200,000 and RM210,000.

Mechanically, this offshoot of the Passat remains unchanged from the recently refreshed ‘Elegance’ model it underpins. It does get blessed with a sportier front bumper design and matched with deeper side skirting and rear bumper insert with faux quad-pipes. Completing its stance here are a set of sporty 19-inch alloy wheels set.

On board, this Passat also gets R-Line specific flat-bottomed steering wheel, Carbon Fibre-like Nappa leather upholstery, black headlining, aluminium pedals, as well as VW’s more advanced 9.7-inch touchscreen infotainment unit. Apart from this, there aren’t any other changes to report.

Want to size up all three new additions? You can do so by visiting the aforementioned Volkswagen Tour that’s happening in 1Utama this week. Take note, the event will practice strict entry SOPs, so don’t forget to bring your face masks and practice social distancing whilst there.

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