Some modding ideas could perhaps be gained from this rather stunning one-off Arteon.
It is probably common consensus that the Arteon is one of the best looking VWs on sale today. Though it has to be said too that a just little bit of aesthetic modifications does indeed turn this good looking four-door fastback into something positively stunning, such as what is seen here with this one-off Big Sur concept.
The latest addition to VW America’s 2021 Enthusiast Fleet, this strikingly green Arteon that is named after the scenic Californian coastal area was the brainchild of Motorsport Marketing Specialist Sean Maynard, Rory Stramer and Gil Plasencia of FMS Automotive, and Jason Whipple at Rotiform. Starting off with a plain Jane 2021 Urano Gray SEL Premium R-Line example, the ultimate goal with this concept was to draw more attention to this sleek fastback within the German automaker’s lineup.
And it certainly does that, as it is hard to not just stop and stare at this four-door coupe’s striking forest green exterior wrap. Done to also showcase the Arteon’s strong and stylish body lines, this bold yet stylish exterior hue was inspired by a Golf R of a similar colour that Rotiform debut at SEMA in 2019.
On the topic of Rotiform, the Big Sur also comes fitted with 20-inch gloss black TUF-R cast monoblocks from the Californian wheel manufacturer that are wrapped in low-profile Continental tyres and sits 1.5-inches closer to the body courtesy of a coilover suspension setup. The other aesthetic enhancements on this Arteon meanwhile include the addition of a Voomeran Lower Valence bodykit, with custom-designed black front splitters, side skirts and rear spoiler.
“We brought it down an inch and a half, but it can actually go as far down as two and a half inches,” said Plasencia of the lowering kit. “However, because of the car’s body kit, it gives an illusion that the car is actually lower than it is.”
All the aforementioned modifications made to create the Big Sur took place in just under a month, with the wrapping process taking between 50 to 60 hours of that time. Significantly longer than a traditional wrap job, the extra time taken was due to taking the doors, bonnet and hatch out so that the green hue can be applied on the interior door jambs and side body pieces.
Discussing further about the Arteon Big Sur, Stramer said that this particular project was more of an aesthetic design makeover than a performance upgrade. “We wanted to keep it in the boundaries of something someone could feasibly achieve and ensure that someone who had the means and interest in achieving this vehicle could,” he added.
So to any Arteon owner out there then who wants to tart up their car, this is a rather good example as to what can be done. As for those who simply want to see the Big Sur in the metal on the other hand, this strikingly green one-off is set to be displayed alongside the rest of the 2021 Volkswagen Enthusiast Fleet at upcoming enthusiast events across the US.
PRESS RELEASE: Volkswagen unveiled its latest addition to the 2021 Enthusiast Fleet family — a striking, green-wrapped 2021 Arteon named after the scenic coastal area, Big Sur. Inspired by the unforgettable stretch of California coastline, the team wanted to create a head-turner that would capture the Arteon’s adventurous spirit and aerodynamic sleekness.
Since arriving in 2019, the stylish fastback offers drivers the best of both worlds: the sportiness of a coupe with the space and flexibility of a midsize sedan. To draw attention to the flagship sedan, Volkswagen Enthusiast and Motorsport Marketing Specialist Sean Maynard, Rory Stramer and Gil Plasencia of FMS Automotive, and Jason Whipple at Rotiform designed this concept car.
“The Arteon is a hidden gem in the Volkswagen line-up,” Plasencia says. “It’s a top-of-the-line sedan that offers the elegance of a sports car, plus it includes all the features Volkswagen drivers have come to know and love—like Lane Assist, Car-Net [and] fantastic braking and handling.”
The goal was to incorporate an eye-catching forest green wrap throughout the vehicle to showcase the Arteon’s strong and stylish body lines. Paired with gloss-black, 20-inch Rotiform TUF-R cast monoblock wheels and Continental Tire Extreme Contact DWS 06 Plus 245/45 R20 tires, the look is both attractive and aggressive.
“We wanted the car to stop people in their tracks, and announce, ‘I’m here!’” says Plasencia.
The California-based teams started out with a 2021 Urano Gray Arteon SEL Premium R-Line and changed the color using a custom vinyl wrap. The bold shade was inspired by an all-green Golf R that Rotiform debuted at SEMA, the world’s leading auto aftermarket exhibition, in 2019.
“It was more of an aesthetic design makeover than a performance upgrade,” Stramer says. “We wanted to keep it in the boundaries of something someone could feasibly achieve and ensure that someone who had the means and interest in achieving this vehicle could.”
The wrap was installed throughout the entire car – including its interior door jambs and side body pieces – so when the doors open, the color change is still visible.
“I’m really proud of the amount of detail and attention we put into it,” Plasencia says. “We took all the doors off the vehicle – the hatch, the hood – and spent a good 50 to 60 hours to ensure it was all perfect. Looking at a distance, it looks like it’s a paint job.”
The team executed the modifications in just under a month. Using a Voomeran Lower Valence body kit as a foundation, Plasencia and Stramer designed custom front splitters, side pieces and a spoiler to perfectly fit the vehicle. A coilover suspension was also added to give the vehicle a stronger, lower stance.
“We brought it down an inch and a half, but it can actually go as far down as two and a half inches,” Plasencia says. “However, because of the car’s body kit, it gives an illusion that the car is actually lower than it is.”
You can catch this one-of-a-kind green machine, along with the rest of the 2021 Volkswagen Enthusiast Fleet, at enthusiast events across the country.
