A facelifted version of the Volkswagen CC has been unveiled at the Los Angeles motor show. Volkswagen wants the revised CC to take a significant step upmarket. The car features new front and rear styling and an extended range of standard equipment.
The new version will be known in Europe as the VW CC, dropping the Passat monicker. In making that move, VW in Europe has followed the lead of its US marketing department in a bid to raise the car’s appeal.
A choice of three direct-injection petrol engines will be offered, producing 158bhp, 208bhp and 295bhp. The first two will have an option of a dual clutch gearbox and the most powerful variant will have the dual clutch ‘box as standard, and all-wheel drive. All petrol engines have battery regeneration functionality. Diesel options include 138bhp and 168bhp units, both of which are equipped with stop-start and battery regeneration. The 138bhp variant will return 60.1mpg and 125 g/km when mated to a manual six-speed gearbox, with the DSG-equipped car will offer 53.3mpg.
On the inside, the car comes with a fatigue detection system, stainless steel door sill plates, front head restraints and chrome surrounds on switches and air vents. Other kit offered as standard includes ESP electronic stabilization, sport chassis and hill start assist. Most variants also feature dynamic chassis control and a XDS transverse differential lock.
Key technical features on the options list include a lane assist system, fatigue detection, a dynamic light assist (which automatically selects dipped or main bean headlamps according to driving speed but has a filter so oncoming cars aren’t dazzled), park assist and a boot that can be operated via a motion sensor. Customers can also spec the Passat CC with a range of comfort-oriented options include a transparent panoramic sunroof, a range of alloy wheel sizes, hands-free kit, adaptive cruise control and active climate seats.
The car will go on sale in Germany in January 2012, with other European markets following a few months later. UK pricing hasn’t been announced, but the current range starts at £23,630.
