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The Volkswagen Arteon has been awarded the overall prize at the Tow Car Awards, claiming the top trophy for its extensive towing talents, in addition to winning its 1,550-1,699 kg weight class.
Judging everything from the Arteon’s stability when towing at speed, to the layout of the dashboard, to the room in the rear seats, the panel described the Arteon as “resolute and unperturbable” when towing under any conditions, even under high winds, or when undertaking emergency manoeuvres.
The judging panel also praised the Arteon’s low weight, a great benefit to drivers with a B category driving licence (limited to 3,500 kg total vehicle and trailer weight). They noted that its 2,170 kg gross weight left capacity to legally tow a 1,330 kg caravan.
David Motton, Tow Car Editor of Practical Caravan, said: “A coupé-style fastback isn't the most obvious tow car, but that doesn't mean a good one isn't up to the job. And the Volkswagen Arteon is better than merely 'good'. It does all the sensible, important things we ask of a tow car brilliantly.
"You'd think that choosing such a striking car would mean compromising on practicality, hardly a sensible trade off in a tow car. But the Arteon is roomier than it looks. If anything, boot space is even more surprising than the room in the cabin. Our practicality judges found space for every last item of holiday luggage, something that can't be said of some of the bigger estate cars tested this year.”
The Arteon starts at £34,025 RRP OTR for the comfort-focused Elegance model, fitted with Volkswagen’s efficient 150 PS 1.5-litre TSI EVO petrol engine. The 2.0-litre TDI SCR 150 PS is the engine that powers the overall Tow Car Awards winner, which was praised for its excellent fuel economy – 50.4 mpg on the combined cycle (WLTP), achieving 29.1 mpg in the panel’s efficiency test while towing a caravan weighing 85% of the Arteon’s 1,643 kg unladen weight – and ample 251 Nm torque for towing.
It is the fourth time since 2007 that Volkswagen has taken the overall award, with the Passat Estate having taken home the trophy in 2007, 2011 and 2015. The Polo won its Ultralight category last year, and the Amarok picked up the Pick-up category award in 2017.
Joe Laurence, Arteon Product Manager at Volkswagen UK, said: “The Arteon may be a crisp, sleekly-designed fastback with a coupé-like roof-line and sharp looks, but it’s still a Volkswagen, meaning it carries all of the quality, practicality and versatility with which the entire range has become synonymous – it’s not a case of style over substance.
“The Arteon’s new status as Tow Car’s overall winner proves that Volkswagen quality doesn’t just end at the rear bumper; you can count on the Arteon to deliver you and your trailer – whatever it may be – safely and comfortably to your destination.“
