Now known as the CC and no longer 'Passat CC', it also features an exterior that is both sleek and sophisticated

Photos: Low Fai Ming

 

When the Volkswagen CC made its debut four years ago (as the Passat CC then), it was the world's first four-door coupe in its price category. From this niche, a new segment quickly grew; to date, nearly 320,000 people around the world have chosen this saloon with the stylish lines of a sports car.

After all, customers enjoy the alternative to the classic saloon, and it has been equally well-received as 'business class' transportation.

A team, led by VW chief designer Klaus Bischoff, has launched the CC into the future with a completely redesigned front and rear sections, to give them more precision and adapt them to VW's design DNA. As a result, the car now has an even more sophisticated and dynamic overall appearance.

The extended range of standard equipment now includes such features as bi-xenon headlights, a new LED rear lamp cluster and fatigue detection. New to the CC, this system detects waning driver concentration and warns the driver with an acoustic signal lasting five seconds. A visual message also appears in the instrument cluster, recommending that the driver take a break from driving. If the driver does not take a break within the next 15 minutes, the warning is repeated once.

Optional items includes Park Assist (Generation Two) and Optical Parking System. The latest Park Assist now features perpendicular parking assistance - previously, it only helps the driver parallel park. The Optical Parking System (OPS) on the other hand offers a 360-degree bird's eye view, simplifying maneuvers. Acoustic warnings also ensures the driver is alerted before meeting the wall/object around him.

Easy Open is standard, allowing the car's boot to open simply by detecting a kick-like leg motion within the sensor's proximity under the rear bumper. Of course, the boot only opens for someone carrying the proper remote key for the CC.

XDS transverse differential lock, standard on both the 2.0 TSI and 3.6 V6 variants, is a functional extension of the electronic differential lock (EDS) that is integrated in the ESP system. This option is also available on the 1.8 TSI variant, for $600. Standard on the V6 is Volkswagen's 4MOTION permanent all-wheel drive; under normal driving, the power is split front/back 90:10.

Speaking of which, the CC is available with three different engine capacities: (1)160bhp, 250Nm 1.8-liter, (2) 210bhp, 280Nm 2.0-liter and (3) a 300bhp, 350Nm 3.6-liter V6. The smallest engine is mated to a 7-speed DSG, while both the 2.0-liter and 3.6-liter with a 6-speed DSG.

Price begins at $179,800 for the 1.8 TSI, $216,800 for the Sport 2.0 TSI and $239,300 for the 3.6 V6. All prices include COE.