VW Teases Upcoming Four-door 'Coupe', But We Already Know What It Will Look Like

Volkswagen has only revealed one entirely new model since the emissions scandal began, and with CC sales tanking hard, now seems a good time to start on a second.

Planned to be revealed in full at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, VW is teasing the public with some specs on its upcoming range-topper.

Following Volkswagen’s recent tradition of giving new models terrible names, the CC replacement is called the Arteon. The automaker says that the name is a portmanteau of the words “art” and “eon.” The former refers to the car’s sleek look and the latter, according to VW, denotes the premium nature of the vehicle — even though that isn’t what eon/aeon means.

The sweeping roofline means that Volkswagen will likely consider this a four-door “sports coupe.” While irksome to North Americans, it is at least more deserving of the title than the CC and its almost three-box styling. Of course, this all depends on VW’s adherence to this early concept sketch.

Early spy shots suggest that the Arteon will be a sizable, upscale sedan. Sexier and more imposing than the CC, but not nearly so dramatic as the drawings would suggest. It should also be more 5 Series and less Panamera in the rear.

Based on the above doodle and Volkswagen’s own description on how, “The bars of the radiator grille extend here into the three-dimensional front headlights,” expect the Arteon to look a lot like the Sport Coupe Concept GTE that appeared at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show.

Since VW isn’t big on wild redesigns, just close your eyes and imagine a more attractive and meaner-looking Passat with a sloped roofline. Whatever image ended up in your head is already 99 percent accurate.

Technical specifications are spartan at the moment, but Volkswagen did let go that the new car will have a more practical top-hinged tailgate and plenty of storage space in the rear. Interior niceties should abound, and some drivetrain components will likely be sourced from the Passat. A hybrid variant is likely, but diesel models will most definitely remain in Europe.

Like the CC, the Arteon will slot above the Passat in VW’s lineup and isn’t likely to have much company while the company gears itself up for its upcoming SUV offensive. The top-tier coupe-sedan is set to launch in the summer of 2017.

[Images: Volkswagen]