The CC debuted for 2009 as Volkswagen’s latest 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 with either a turbocharged four-cylinder or a V-6. All-wheel drive is also available. The CC is available in several trim levels: 2.0T Sport, Luxury, VR6 Sport and VR6 4Motion.
Turbocharged four-cylinder models now come with Volkswagen’s Direct Shift Gearbox, a six-speed dual-clutch transmission with automatic manual shift operation that VW says changes gears faster than other transmissions.
The Passat CC features recent 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 thin, 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.
- Blacked-out B-pillar helps achieve coupe look
- Rear spoiler
- Optional large panoramic sunroof
To differentiate the Passat sedan from the CC, there are new chrome-finished 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 design reduces cargo capacity. There’s a center pass-through door between the two rear seats, and the seats can also fold down.
- Simulated leather upholstery standard
- Optional leather upholstery
- Metal or wood trim
- Optional navigation system
- Optional touch-screen audio system
- Optional iPod interface
The CC has a widened track and lowered ride height compared to the Passat. All CCs are equipped with a sport-tuned suspension and speed-sensitive steering.
- Standard 200-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four-cylinder
- Optional 280-hp, 3.6-liter V-6 engine
- Standard six-speed manual
- Optional six-speed automatic with manual-shift controls on V-6
- Optional six-speed dual-clutch transmission with the four-cylinder
Safety features include:
- Standard side-impact airbags
- Standard side curtain airbags
- Optional rear-seat side-impact airbags
- Standard active head restraints for front passengers
- Standard electronic stability system
- Optional backup camera
