The facelifted Volkswagen Arteon is now officially on sale in Malaysia. As reported earlier, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) is offering its updated, locally-assembled four-door coupe in a sole R-Line 4Motion variant. And we can now confirm that the flagship Vee-Dub will cost RM247,671 on-the-road without insurance. 

For only RM26k more than the FWD pre-facelift launched last year, buyers get VW's third-generation EA888 two-litre TSI engine good for 280PS and 350Nm. The output goes to all four wheels via a seven-speed wet clutch DSG which facilitates a 5.6-second century sprint. These are substantially peppier figures than those of the old Arteon, which had to make do with only 190PS and 320Nm of twist.

The Arteon R Line is also endowed with dynamic chassis control (DCC), an electronic differential lock and progressive steering for better ride and handling. It also ticks the right boxes on the efficiency front, with a quoted fuel consumption average of 7.4 litres per 100km. That's enough to cover nearly 900km on a single 66-litre tank of gas. 

Going back to the surface, the facelifted Arteon is distinguishable by its redesigned bumpers, a new grille which the front DRLs now extend into, integrated front and rear cameras (they're now embedded in the VW logos) and 3D LED taillights. It is also the first Volkswagen model available in Malaysia to feature the brand's new VW and R emblems largely visible within the cabin. 

Also new inside are the 'ErgoComfort' sport seats in Nappa Carbon leather, haptic touch controls on the steering, three-zone climate control, 30-colour ambient lighting, a 700-watt, 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and a 9.2-inch Discover Pro infotainment system with voice and gesture control, plus wireless App Connect for seamless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

On the safety front, the new Arteon packs lane assist and side assist for safer lane changes, rear cross traffic alert, automatic post collision brake system and a driver alert system, on top of the usual fixings (ESC, seven airbags, Isofix, etc.). The lack of semi-autonomous tech at this price point in 2021 might be a concern to some, though.

Those who do not mind relying on good old human intuition can have the new 2021 Volkswagen Arteon R-Line 4Motion in five colour options: Lapiz Blue, Oryx White, Deep Black, Pyrite Silver or Manganese Grey. Prices also include five years of warranty coverage and roadside assistance plus three years of free maintenance for added peace of mind. 

So, it's a pretty comprehensive package from whichever angle you look at it: looks, performance, kit and aftersales support. Should premium staples like the Mercedes C-Class and BMW 3 Series be worried? 

We'd certainly think so.