This is the new 2012 Volkswagen Passat CC. The facelifted four-door coupe will make its public debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 18th.
But it won’t be known at the Passat CC any more. The Passat name has been dropped. Instead it will be called the Volkswagen CC.
Volkswagen has also taken the opportunity to update the styling to match the new family look and provide it with the equipment befitting of its luxury pretentions.
The Styling
Both the front and back of the car has been substantially redesigned. At the front the new grille has a stronger horizontal theme.
There are new bi-xenon headlights, a re-profiled bonnet and a new bumper which features a new air intake and silver highlights to accentuate the fog lights.
Both the headlamps and tail-lamps now feature LEDs. And while the headlights look more like the Phaeton, the rounded-rectangle shape of the new tail-lights looks like the BMW 6-Series Coupe.
Along the side the frameless doors remain, albeit with more heavily sculpted sills.
At the back, the rear bumper is also new with the horizontal theme making another appearance.
The number plate lights are also LED while the VW badge, which is used to open the boot, can also contain an optional rear-view camera.
Inside, the trim level has also been revised upwards to bolster the car’s premium aspirations.
The Equipment
Expect a long list of standard fit equipment including;
- Bi-Xenon Headlights
- Static Cornering Lights
- Fatigue Detection System
- RCD 310 Radio-CD System
- Safety Head Restraints Whiplash Protection
- Stainless Steel Door Plates
Advanced Optional Equipment Includes;
- High Beam Assist – Auto Headlamp Dimming
- Side Assist – Blind Spot Monitoring
- Lane Assist
- Adaptive Cruise Control with City Emergency Braking Function
- Front Climate Seats With Massage Function
- Electrically Deployed Towbar
- Camera-Based Traffic Sign Detection System
The Engines
The range of petrol engines is carried over from the existing model.
That means a 1.8-litre four-cylinder with 158bhp, a 2.0-litre turbo with 207bhp and the flagship 3.6-litre V6 which belts out 297bhp and 258 lb ft of torque.
That shifts the current CC to 62mph in 5.5 seconds and a limited 155mph.
All petrol engines get battery regeneration technology for even greater efficiency.
The diesel line-up is also the same. So expect a 2.0-litre TDI which puffs out 138bhp and 168bhp.
Both diesels get stop-start and battery regeneration technology. As a result the 138bhp diesel with six-speed manual emits just 125 g/km of co2.
And finally, all engines of 168bhp or more get an XDS differential as standard and electronic cross-axle traction control for better traction and handling.
The new 2012 Volkswagen CC can be ordered in the UK from early 2012 with first deliveries due in March.
Prices will be announced nearer to the launch date.
So what do you think? Premium four-door coupe of poor man’s Merc CLS?
I like the look of this very much. I am due to order my new company car soon and was about to go for the current GT 2.0 diesel 160bhp. I am now thinking of waiting for the new one to arrive, but could really do with understanding what the cost is for the above model, as if its gone up too much I will need to look at other options?
Paul.
Hi Paul, there’s still no news on the pricing of the new Volkswagen CC.
Given the slight move upmarket be the model, prices are likely to rise compared with the current Passat CC, but the size of the increase is still unknown.
We’ll publish prices as soon as they are available.
Is there any update on prices as I very much like the look of the new vehicle and I am in a position to wait for the new deliveries but do not want to wait if there is a significant increase in price and will have to look at alternatives
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for your enquiry. We posted a new article about the Volkswagen CC when prices for the UK range were announced few days ago.
Prices for the entry level model are up by around £600, while the price of the flagship diesel rises about almost £3,000.
Here’s the full article; 2012 Volkswagen CC Prices Announced
Enjoy your new car.
There is a marginal improvement in looks but the front grille does not raise the spirits. In fact VW has much work to do on that respect. It doesn’t exude style or opulence like a Merc CLS. I really don’t understand how with a plethora of possibilities, VW come out with such an awful grill!
Yes, the look of the grille is rather, ahem challenging.
And I’m not sure whether dropping the name and pushing the CC up-market will help to distinguish it from the standard Passat. Only time will tell.
I think that Volkswagen have a serious problem in grille designs. The CC is unpalatable and also the new Touareg. The two horizontal chrome lines either side of the VW emblem on the SUV cheapen the grille and totally turn me off! Luckily I’ve seen ABT’s version of the grille on the Touareg and hey, what a difference! The SUV looks incredibly sporty. The lesson: VW have to concentrate on evocative grille designs.
.
Can we keep the front from the old CC ? This just looks so dull and boring.
Hi Adam, the new horizontal grille seems to be the main bone of contention with the new CC.
And I have to agree it looks rather anonymous.
Unfortunately, VW seems rather keen on it judging by the similar grille on the new Cross Coupe SUV concept.
If the comments we’ve received about the grille are representative of the general market, VW have made a major blunder with the design.