The apprentice has become the master with the release of Volkswagen’s second apprentice built special edition.
Dubbed the ART3on, it’s a track-ready customised Arteon Art Car, built by a team of Volkswagen apprentices and mentors from the Australian automotive aftermarket industry.
The car has been modified with the addition of a roll-cage, race seats and harnesses from Bond Roll Bars, custom suspension from Bilstein, race brakes from APR/VolksMuller, and engine and performance tuning from Harding Performance in collaboration with Racing Line UK, of Volkswagen Motorsport fame.
The result is a unique take on the art car genre, with a 360kW race-ready track car, complete with a one-of-a-kind artwork, created specifically for the car by renowned Sydney street artist Simon Murray, AKA KADE.
The car has been built as part of Volkswagen Australia’s second-ever Apprentice Build Challenge.
Last year’s team turned a 2.2-tonne Amarok ute into a race-going track car which has since gone on to set impressive lap times around Australia’s premier motor sport tracks.
The apprentices had one week to turn the newest luxury VeeDub into a fire-breathing race car worthy of a debut at the annual World Time Attack Challenge event at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Overseeing the build, and the apprentices, was a team of mentors from Volkswagen Australia’s own technical division, as well as innovators from the Australian automotive community.
At its official unveiling this weekend, the car will be driven by race driver, Renato Loberto, around Sydney Motorsport Park.
More than just a gun-for-hire, VW says Loberto has also volunteered his time and expertise, mentoring apprentices throughout the build and providing vital feedback from the driver’s seat.
Following a baseline performance test on a MAHA dynometer, the ART3on makes 360kW of power and 600Nm of torque.
On an uphill straight this power was put to the test where the ART3on consistently clocked an impressive 0-100km/h time of 3.9 seconds.
The Arteon’s standard 7-speed DSG and 4MOTION all-wheel drive system, complete with launch control, ensures this acceleration time is on tap all the time.
ART3on’s base chassis and driveline technology will be showcased over the coming months, as Volkswagen intends for this one-of-a-kind race car to appear at several motorsport fixtures around the country in varying calibrations.
The ART3on Facts and Figures:
| Donor Vehicle: | Arteon R-Line 7-speed DSG 4MOTION AWD |
| Performance: | 360kW/600Nm on 98 RON fuel |
| Acceleration 0-100km/h: | 3.9 seconds (uphill – Luddenham Raceway) |
| Engine: | 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 |
| Suspension: | Custom Bilstein Clubsport suspension set-up |
| Brakes: | APR Big Brake Package |
| Mandatory Safety: | Roll cage, racing seats with harness, fuel cut-off system, fire extinguisher |
| Tyres: | Pirelli P-Zero Trofeo semi slick track tyres |
| Diagnostics and testing: | MAHA Australia |
| Artwork | Custom design by Simon Murray AKA ‘KADE’, applied to vehicle wrap by Pivot Creative |
| Driver: | Renato Loberto |
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