VOLKSWAGEN dealers have opened the order books for the German brand's latest high performance R models - and these new potent performers come with more than a touch of luxury.

Joining VW's growing stable of potent R models, the new Arteon R saloon and shooting brake come with the company's acclaimed 320PS, two-litre turbo engine and boast performance befitting the R badge - sprinting from standstill to 60mph in less than 4.9 seconds, before topping out at an electronically limited 155 mph.

And they have the handling to match with all-wheel drive augmented for optimum handling and dynamism by the company's R-Performance torque vectoring system.

The system, first seen on the new Golf R, shares power not only between the front and rear axles, but between each rear wheel too. Up to 50 per cent of drive force can be sent to the rear axle and can then be directed entirely to the outside rear wheel when cornering, virtually eliminating understeer, according to VW.

To further enhance the dynamism of these premium luxury models, they also come as standard with an electronic differential lock and adaptive damping system while stopping power is provided by an 18-inch performance braking system.

With prices of £51,615 for the saloon and £52,435 for the shooting brake - for which read estate - you'd be right to expect luxurious interior trim and a lavish list of standard kit and the Arteon R doesn't disappoint.

The newcomers are fitting with premium Nappa leather sports seats with 14-way electric adjustment and even a massage function. A heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel with extended DSG shift paddles features touch sensitive capacitive buttons and an R button for quick access to the car's drive modes.

A multitude of high-tech driver assistance systems include a lane-changing assistant which monitors blind spots to help prevent side-swipe accidents, rear cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise control which allows assisted driving at speeds of up to 130 mph.

The standard equipment package also includes LED headlights with self-adjusting dynamic range control function, digital cockpit with a 10.25-inch dashboard display, three-zone climate control, sunroof and 30-colour ambient interior lighting.