Volkswagen apprentices collaborate with Aussie auto industry to build super car
§ Volkswagen Arteon luxury sedan turned into a race car to debut at World Time Attack Challenge event in Sydney tomorrow and Saturday.
Chullora, Sydney: Volkswagen Australia has today unveiled an industry-wide collaboration project, dubbed the ART3on: a track-ready customised Arteon sedan built by a team of VW apprentices.
Volkswagen Australia’s Apprentice Build Challenge selects a team of high-achieving VW apprentices test their skills on a unique build design.
Last year’s team turned a 2.2-tonne Amarok V6 ute into a race-going track vehicle that became a viral superstar on social media and has set impressive lap times around Australia’s premier tracks.
This year Volkswagen has offered up another unlikely vehicle to customise: the Arteon luxury saloon. The apprentices had one week to turn the $70,000 sedan into a record breaking track car.
The apprentices were monitored by Volkswagen Australia’s technical division and innovators from the Australian automotive community.
Luka Popovac, national customer experience and capability manager, said that the program, now in its second year, is “unique in the Australian automotive sector”.
“Not only has the ART3on inspired our apprentices, we hope it will also inspire a new generation of technicians to pick up a trade in Australian automotive,” he said.
The result is also unique: 360 kilowatt race-ready car complete with a one-of artwork created for the car by renowned Sydney street artist Simon Murray, AKA KADE.
At its official unveiling at World Time Attack Challenge on Friday the car will be driven at Sydney Motorsport Park by in-demand driver Renato Loberto.
The ART3on makes 360kW of power and 600Nm of torque. Tested on an uphill straight at Luddenham Raceway in Sydney it reached 100km/h from standing in 3.9 seconds.
The ART3on Facts and Figures:
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Donor Vehicle: |
Arteon R-Line 7-speed DSG 4MOTION AWD |
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Performance: |
360kW/600Nm on 98 RON fuel |
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Acceleration 0-100km/h: |
3.9 seconds (uphill – Luddenham Raceway) |
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Engine:
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RacingLine Stage 3 turbocharger RacingLine Stage 3 Intake set including R600 airbox RacingLine oil management system RacingLine intercooler upgrade RacingLine high pressure fuel pump upgrade Milltek Sport Cast exhaust downpipe & high flow sports catalyst TVS / Harding DSG software - increased torque holding, 2 step launch control, manual over ride |
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Suspension: |
Custom Bilstein Clubsport suspension set-up |
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Brakes: |
APR Big Brake Package |
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Mandatory Safety: |
Roll cage, racing seats with harness, fuel cut-off system, fire extinguisher |
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Tyres: |
Pirelli P-Zero Trofeo semi slick track tyres |
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Diagnostics and testing: |
MAHA Australia |
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Artwork |
Custom design by Simon Murray AKA ‘KADE’, applied to vehicle wrap by Pivot Creative |
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Driver: |
Renato Loberto |