What's all this about?

We knew it was going to be called the Arteon, but now Volkswagen has fully pulled the covers off its fastback gran turismo machine at the Geneva Motor Show. And isn't it a looker?

It is indeed. What's going on with that grille, for a start?

This is our favourite feature. The LED headlights and daytime running lamps blend seamlessly into the bold, horizontal slats of the radiator cover. The net result is a car that looks bloody lovely in its basic or Elegance trims, but which really comes into its own in the sporty R-Line specification that should be most popular in the UK. In that visual regard, it's like Volkswagen's Tiguan SUV - nice to look at normally, yet truly spectacular as an R-Line.

Can you tell me more about the Arteon's exterior?

It measures 4,862mm from front to back and has a lengthy 2,841mm wheelbase. It's also a fastback, with a top-hinged boot, so it's a five-door car with plenty of practicality - the boot measures 563- or 1,557 litres, while there are five seats on board and 'excellent rear legroom', according to Volkswagen.

And what else is there to say about the inside?

The full-width dashboard lines, as featured in the Passat and the Audi Q7, are seen again here, while a 9.3-inch glass touchscreen infotainment screen dominates the console. Ahead of the driver is a cluster that can be fully digital, if the Active Info Display is optioned up, while both Gesture Control and a Head-Up Display will be part of the kit list. As will a load of driver assist safety aids, natch.

Which engines has Volkswagen selected to power it?

The Arteon comes with four-cylinder turbocharged engines alone, three TSI petrol units and three TDI diesel motors. Lesser models can be had with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual gearbox, but a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch unit and Volkswagen's 4Motion all-wheel drive are both offered, either as options on mid-range cars or standard-fit on the two most powerful models - these are the 2.0-litre 280hp TSI and the 240hp BiTurbo TDI.

What about the lower powerplants?

The 1.5-litre TSI as recently introduced in the Golf MkVII is used here, delivering 150hp and featuring the Active Cylinder Technology that means it can switch to two pots when needs be, to save fuel. Above that is a 2.0-litre TSI rated at 190hp. Any TDI, including the BiTurbo, is a 2.0-litre unit and, like the two entry-level petrol engines, the derv-burners are rated at 150- and 190hp. Volkswagen hasn't given us a full run-down on all economy and CO₂ figures, but as yardsticks the two most powerful engines deliver 38.7mpg and 164g/km (TSI 280), or 47.9mpg and 152g/km (TDI 240).

When does it go on sale?

This swish new GT sits above the Passat in the range and it should be hitting our showrooms this summer. We can't wait to try it out, to see if it drives half as good as it looks.