The Volkswagen Arteon is gaining a new entry-level SE specification and a new 148 bhp diesel which will make the mid-range model more affordable. The Arteon SE opens for order this week, with prices starting at £33,085 for petrol models; the new 148 bhp diesel will arrive later in the year.

The Arteon SE adds a third level to the Arteon’s trim line-up. With the existing Elegance and R-Line specifications designed to represent luxury and sportiness respectively, the SE now presents what Volkswagen describes as “an even more value-focused offering to the range as the new entry point into Arteon ownership”. Initially, the SE will be offered with a single engine option – a 2.0-litre TSI 187 bhp petrol unit fitted with a 7-speed DSG, priced at £33,085. The new diesel engine option will be introduced later this year and is expected to make Arteon ownership even more accessible.

The SE’s equipment roster includes 18-inch Almere alloy wheels, full LED lights, adaptive cruise control with Front Assist, a Discover Navigation system with 8.0-inch touch screen display and three-zone climate control all fitted as standard, as well as two USB ports and front and rear parking sensors. Volkswagen’s Wireless App Connect system also brings the convenience of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto without needing to plug in a device.

Three engine and gearbox configurations will come to make up the range on the Arteon SE in due course: the 2.0-litre 187 bhp TSI petrol unit fitted with a 7-speed DSG is available now, while Volkswagen’s new 2.0-litre TDI 148 bhp unit will be available in the coming months, with a choice of 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG transmissions. The petrol-engined Arteon SE returns a WLTP-confirmed 44.1 mpg on a combined cycle, and CO₂ emissions stand at 144 g/km.

As part of the 2020 model year updates to the Arteon, Elegance and R-Line trim levels will now come with Discover Navigation Pro with 9.2-inch touchscreen, the system gaining the third generation Modular Infotainment Matrix (MIB3) which made its debut recently on the new Passat. Meanwhile the new 2.0-litre TDI 148 bhp engine joining the Arteon range features Active Cylinder technology, which can shut down two of the four cylinders under certain low-load conditions in order to save fuel.

In addition to these updates, the revised model-year Arteon brings small revisions in CO₂ emissions for two variants. The 2.0-litre 268 bhp TSI DSG 4MOTION is now rated at 161 g/km with no change in VED. However, the 2.0-litre 187 bhp TDI DSG 4MOTION variant has decreased to 130 g/km CO₂, the effect of which is a VED reduction of £320, dropping the car’s on-the-road price to £39,025 in Elegance specification, and £39,825 for the sportier R-Line.

Joe Laurence, Arteon Product Manager at Volkswagen UK, said: “With luxurious Elegance and sporty R-Line, the current Arteon trim levels offer a choice to those in the market for a sleekly designed fastback. One is sporty, but not at the expense of comfort; the other offers affordable luxury without compromising driving pleasure. These trim levels represent even better value with the addition of new standard equipment for the new model year.

“Now, the new SE trim offers a third, value-driven option to the line-up – providing an Arteon to drivers who want the best of both worlds.”