The reconceived grille of the Volkswagen Arteon, which forms the basis of a revolution involving the entire formal grammar of the car, is perhaps destined to influence other members of the German brand’s family. Interleaved with the LED DRL light strips of the headlamps and extending down to the bottom edge of the lower air intake, the six chromed strakes, with a sense of dynamism created by the V shaped profile of the grille, constitute, to some extent, the origin of the entire design.
“This car represents the start of a new chapter which redefines the canons of the style of the brand” explains Volkswagen brand design director Klaus Bischoff. “Because of this, it is inspired by a radically revised concept with a lower, wider architecture, which offers a precise interpretation of what we mean by elegance and sportiness.” The identity of the face is redefined by a bold geometry of positive and negative volumes and by the surprising role played by the headlamps, which are visually connected with chromed elements of the grille, lending continuity to the design, adding to and blending into the perception of the design itself. The iconic outline of the grille itself also determines the shape of the front lid – a single large panel visually occupying the full width of the front volume which emphasises the road presence of the car and dialogues directly with the windscreen and A-pillars.
Also originating at the upper margin of the headlamps is the line marking the divide between the front lid and the fender, which continues to encircle the entire car and form a particularly expressive beltline. The overall effect conveys coherence and extraordinary precision. “This perfect seamlessness was also made possible by effective collaboration between the designers and the engineers”, specifies Bischoff.
