NICE, France – Volkswagen has positioned the CC as a four-door Euro coupe, so what better place than Nice, France, to launch the 2013 version, which projects revised front and rear styling along with engines that have gained further efficiency.
No longer a “Passat”
Volkswagen has dropped the Passat nomenclature and now simply refers to the car as the CC. And that makes sense, given the vast distinction between the CC and the 2012 Volkswagen Passat, the latter of which is far more North-Americanized than the Euro-themed CC.
While the 2013 Volkswagen CC loses its Passat nameplate, it gains a fifth seating position. Up to now, the CC has been a 4-seater thanks to the placement of two beautifully contoured rear seating positions separated by a centre console. This arrangement looked great, but limited the vehicle’s practicality and that may have affected sales.
Beginning with the 2013 model year, only 5-seat CCs will be imported into Canada. The new bench arrangement adds even greater versatility thanks to 60/40-split folding seatbacks, enabling much greater cargo capacity.
There are other gains for 2013 as well.
More content delivered as standard fare
Volkswagen has simplified the CC lineup by adding more content as standard equipment while minimizing option packages. The gains in standard fare include adaptive bi-xenon headlights, LED taillights, dual-zone climate control, and a rearview camera.
The CC is available in three different trim levels: Sportline, Highline and Highline 3.6L 4Motion. The Sportline and base Highline are both powered by a 200-horsepower 2.0L TSI turbocharged 4-cylinder engine connected to the CC’s front wheels.
While this engine is a carry-over, it has received tweaking to improve its fuel efficiency, which has not yet been officially rated. The spry little mill is backed by a six-speed manual gearbox or an optional six-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission.
The Highline 3.6L is the acme of the CC hierarchy. This vehicle includes VW’s sophisticated 4MOTION all-wheel drive technology and is only available with a six-speed automatic transmission.
No longer a “Passat”
Volkswagen has dropped the Passat nomenclature and now simply refers to the car as the CC. And that makes sense, given the vast distinction between the CC and the 2012 Volkswagen Passat, the latter of which is far more North-Americanized than the Euro-themed CC.
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| Volkswagen has dropped the Passat nomenclature and now simply refers to the car as the CC. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |
While the 2013 Volkswagen CC loses its Passat nameplate, it gains a fifth seating position. Up to now, the CC has been a 4-seater thanks to the placement of two beautifully contoured rear seating positions separated by a centre console. This arrangement looked great, but limited the vehicle’s practicality and that may have affected sales.
Beginning with the 2013 model year, only 5-seat CCs will be imported into Canada. The new bench arrangement adds even greater versatility thanks to 60/40-split folding seatbacks, enabling much greater cargo capacity.
There are other gains for 2013 as well.
More content delivered as standard fare
Volkswagen has simplified the CC lineup by adding more content as standard equipment while minimizing option packages. The gains in standard fare include adaptive bi-xenon headlights, LED taillights, dual-zone climate control, and a rearview camera.
The CC is available in three different trim levels: Sportline, Highline and Highline 3.6L 4Motion. The Sportline and base Highline are both powered by a 200-horsepower 2.0L TSI turbocharged 4-cylinder engine connected to the CC’s front wheels.
While this engine is a carry-over, it has received tweaking to improve its fuel efficiency, which has not yet been officially rated. The spry little mill is backed by a six-speed manual gearbox or an optional six-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission.
The Highline 3.6L is the acme of the CC hierarchy. This vehicle includes VW’s sophisticated 4MOTION all-wheel drive technology and is only available with a six-speed automatic transmission.
 |
| The Highline 3.6L includes VW’s sophisticated 4MOTION all-wheel drive technology. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |