Volkswagen CC 2012 review: snapshot

A premium new look won't necessarily attract a premium price when the Volkswagen CC four-door coupe goes on sale in June or July this year.  

VW previewed its repositioned CC in France this week and Australian spokeswoman Nina Willoughby says the standard equipment will improve but the price wont reflect the equipment upgrades as the Passat-based coupe is moved upmarket to chase sales from the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe and BMW 3 Series. 

VALUE 

The CC range will continue with two models in Australia - the 125kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbodiesel which delivers 125kW/350Nm via the front wheels and the all-wheel drive 3.6-litre V6.

The current vehicles are priced at $54,990 and $64,990 respectively. Carsguide expects VW to keep any price rises to a minimum - around $1500-$2000 - to maximise the value proposition over its prestige rivals. 

Using the C-Class coupe as a benchmark, technology such as adaptive cruise control is likely to be included in the standard car.

Satellite navigation and the adaptive headlight system - which dims sections of the high beam to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers or the vehicle in front - could also be on the default list. 

TECHNOLOGY 

There's a lot of bling on the European options list for VW Australia to choose from. The adaptive chassis control is already available, but the combined side and lane warning departure systems is a first for VW and one that makes sense in this car.

The system uses radars to monitor approaching vehicles and cameras to detect where the lane markings are and alerts the driver if there is a car in the rear three-quarters "blind spot" or if they try to change lanes without indicating. 

STYLING 

The horizontal grille and cut-off tops on the headlamps differentiate the new CC from the existing Passat CC range. Designers had no choice with the grille - its part of the VW corporate look - but embraced the three-bar grille to give the impression the new car is wider and lower than it actually is.

Dimensions are virtually unchanged from the existing model, with a 1mm trim in length the only difference. New LED taillights continue the flat and clean look at the rear. The result is a typically tidy VW style that lets the coupe silhouette define the car.

A three-seat rear pew is expected to be standard in Australia,though the scalloped side seats makes the centre pew suitable only for young children or anorexic adults. Buyers who want to keep the existing two-seat rear layout will find it is a no-cost option. 

SAFETY

Six airbags and a solid body structure makes the existing Passat CC a five-star car. The CC continues this approach and will be one of the safest VWs on the road. A fatigue detection system is standard and works by monitoring the steering inputs from the driver and alerting them via visual and audio cues if it determines the driver is tired, based on repeated minor corrections of the wheel. 

DRIVING 

The CC drives like a Passat CC, which is no bad thing. The improved sound deadening works on both models and there is only a muted grow from the base turbodiesel under heavy acceleration. the range-topping V6 snarls harder but is still subdued enough to give owners a sense of power without becoming intrusive.

The steering is light, but direct and the lack of feedback can be forgiven on the basis that this doesn't pretend to be a sports car. It feels more upmarket than the Passat, but doesn't have the tactile feedback to challenge a BMW or Mercedes-Benz. Then again, it doesn't cost as much either. 

VERDICT

The move away from the Passat nameplate makes the CC hard to pin down. It's not a true prestige car but it certainly is better than most vehicles on sale at the predicted price point.

And that will give the VW a unique slot in the market - it had the looks and style to be a premium model, but it will come down to pricing and specification of the Australian vehicles to determine whether it can find a real niche in the market. And we won't know those details until closer to the car's June/July launch date.