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DRIVEN: VW CC Boasts Style, Agility, Refinement
Written by: Bob Golfen   
06/14/2009
Phoenix, AZ
 
“What a beautiful car!”

I heard those word so many times while driving Volkswagen’s new CC, not to mention all the fellow motorists who almost rammed into each other while straining for a better look.

VW's new flagship, CC, takes the German automaker up a notch in style and sophistication. (Photo: Volkswagen) » More Photos
That’s the first impression of VW’s new “Comfort Coupe,” whose sloping fastback roofline and blacked-out B pillar disguise the fact that it’s actually a four-door sedan. Not an original styling tweak, since several other automakers including high-end Mercedes-Benz have been running with the concept.

But for Volkswagen, it’s quite a statement. Based on the platform of the more-utilitarian Passat, CC is a long and low expression of styling confidence, stretching the boundaries of a modestly priced car into the realm of artistic endeavor.

CC's sleek roofline and blacked-out B pillars gives the four-door sedan the look of a sporty coupe. (Photo: Volkswagen) » More Photos
CC also allows regular folk to enjoy the style and amenities of the unreachable luxury rides. Even the well-equipped bottom-rung Sport model that I drove has the aura of something costing much more than its under-$30,000 price tag.

The “leatherette” seats in the Sport’s four-passenger interior have the tailored look and feel of something from an exotic Italian car, and the dashboard is downright sculptural.

CC’s interior earns a personal-best award from this gangly, 6-foot-6-inch driver: amazing legroom. I could actually stretch out behind the fully adjustable steering wheel, with roomy comfort that I usually only experience in large trucks.

But CC
sits low and sporty, well-connected to the road with precise steering and balanced handling. A fun car to drive.

The 2-liter turbocharged inline-four felt surprisingly smooth and powerful. On one of my favorite road-test runs – the steep and winding grade on Interstate 17 north of Phoenix where it climbs 1,500 feet in about four miles – CC sprinted up the hill with ease, passing slower vehicles as it wound through the curves at fast highway speed. Nice.

CC is offered in four versions: the basic front-wheel-drive Sport version that I drove, which starts around $27,000; the Luxury version of that car, at $32,350; a front-drive model powered by a 280-horsepower VR6 engine, $38,700; and the top model, an all-wheel-drive VR6 version at $39,800.


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