Vehicle Overview The CC is Volkswagen’s newest luxury car. The CC stands for “comfort coupe,” which is an attempt to define the vehicle’s combination of a coupe-like body style and four doors. While the Passat and CC share a similar platform, the CC wears different sheet metal.
Unlike the Passat, which is only available with a four-cylinder engine, the CC comes equipped with either a turbocharged four-cylinder or a V-6. All-wheel drive is also available. The CC is available in several trim levels: Sport, Luxury, VR6 Sport and VR6 4Motion.
Exterior The Passat CC features new VW design elements also found on the Tiguan and Routan. Up front, the CC is defined by a pair of flared headlamps that flank a narrow, wide grille. Unlike the Passat, the CC does not have chrome grille surrounds.
The side profile arches upward along a well-defined center crease line, similar to the Mercedes C-Class. The B-pillar is blacked out, helping achieve the coupe look. In the rear, there’s a spoiler styled into the short but high trunklid opening.
Compared to the Passat, the CC’s body is longer and wider, but has a shortened roofline. Exterior features include a large panoramic sunroof (standard on all but the Sport model) and 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels available in four designs.
Interior To differentiate the Passat sedan from the CC, there are new chrome-finished instrument gauges, new door trim and radio/navigation buttons on the steering wheel. There are bucket-style seats in back, bringing total seating capacity to four.
The CC’s passenger volume is identical to the Passat’s, though the highly stylized trunk reduces cargo capacity. There’s a center pass-thru door between the two rear seats, and the seats can also fold down.
The interior comes in either simulated leather or leather upholstery with metal or wood trim. The optional navigation system has a 32GB hard disk for music or data storage.
Under the Hood The CC has a widened track and lowered ride height when compared with the Passat. All CCs are equipped with a sport-tuned suspension and speed-sensitive steering.
In addition to the 200-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four-cylinder engine, the CC is also available with a 280-hp, 3.6-liter V-6 engine in VR6 Sport and VR6 4Motion trims, and all-wheel drive on the VR6 4Motion. Available transmissions include a six-speed manual (available only on the base Sport model) and a six-speed automatic with manual shift controls.
The CC gets an estimated 21/31 mpg city/highway with the manual transmission.
Safety The Passat CC is equipped with six standard airbags, including side-impact airbags for the front seats and side curtain airbags. Rear-seat side-impact airbags are optional. All occupants have adjustable head restraints, and the ones in front are active. All-disc antilock brakes, brake assist and an electronic stability system are standard.
The Passat CC can come with an optional rear backup camera, which is hidden under the VW badge on the trunk.
