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2009 Volkswagen CC 4 Door Coupe Review


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2009 Volkswagen CC

MORE: Volkswagen Specs, Prices and Comparisons-Volkswagen Buyers Guide

THE AUTO PAGE
By John Heilig
The Auto Channel

MODEL: Volkswagen CC VR6 4Motion
ENGINE: 3.6-liter V6
HORSEPOWER/TORQUE: 280 hp @ 6,200 rpm/265 lb.-ft. @ 2,750 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic with Tiptronic
WHEELBASE: 106.7 in.
LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT: 188.9 x 73.0 x 55.8 in.
TIRES: P235/40R18
CARGO VOLUME: 13.0 cubic feet.
FUEL ECONOMY: 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway/20.6 mpg test
FUEL CAPACITY: 18.5 gal
STICKER: $42,630 (includes $690 destination charge and $2,640 in options – Technology package)

THE BOTTOM LINE: Volkswagen has developed a simply beautiful car that’s a stylistic little brother to the Mercedes-Benz CLS. Both manufacturers call these machines “four-door coupes,” and they look as if they were designed by the same pen. Like the CLS, the CC is more than just a pretty face with a hot body; it offers very good performance from its 3.6-liter V6 engine, super handling and the benefit of 4Motion, VW’s version of all-wheel drive.

There are few cars that will inspire jaded auto journalists to sit up, take notice and actually say “Wow” when one passes by. That was our situation in San Francisco when a couple of us who hadn’t yet seen the Volkswagen CC saw one for the first time on the road. Actually, the first comment was, “What it that?” followed by “Wow” and us racking our brains to figure out what we saw. Exacerbating our problem is that fact that there is little identification on the car, other than the classic VW badge.

The CC is the best-looking Volkswagen since the demise of the Karmann Ghia – yes, it’s been that long. Like the adver tising claims, it’s a four-door coupe; retaining classic coupe styling with an extra pair of doors. The doors are ”frameless,” with no frames around the glass.

But the CC is more than just a pretty face with a great body. It has performance from its 3.6-liter V6, very good ride quality, and the added advantage of 4Motion, VW’s answer to all-wheel drive.

The 3.6-liter narrow-V engine delivers 280 horsepower to the rear wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission. This engine is quiet, except when provoked, so the driving experience is pleasant.

Handling is very good on Interstates as well as on back-country winding roads. You never lose the feeling that you’re driving a luxury car, even=2 0if it is a compact luxury car. The rear suspension is a multi-link independent sport setup.

The secret of the CC is in its styling, both exterior and interior. Inside, he buckets are black with tan (cornsilk beige) inserts. This theme follows for all four seats (there is no pretense of this being a five-seater). The black-and-beige theme is echoed throughout the interior with a tan lower half to the door panels and the dash. The front and rear seats offer excellent side and butt support to enhance the driving experience. In the rear there is a fold-down arm rest, which is just an armrest, with a pass through from the trunk for longer objects.

The CC has all of Volkswagen’s goodies, including ABS, ESP (Electronic Stability Program), ASR (Anti-Slip Regulation) and EDL (Electronic Differential Lock. All these, plus the six standard airbags contribute to the car’s safety.

Interior storage areas are interesting, with a pair of cupholders in the center console for front passengers with unique triangular “cell phone” cubbies next to them. There’s also a deep center console with an AUX input for the audio system. The rear seats have similar cup holder and cell phone holders. There are small, nearly useless, hanger holders on the B-pillars.

The instrument panel consists of white-on-black gauges with red pointers. There’s a digital Volkswagen Information readout between the speedometer and tachometer that consists of a compass, digital clock, fuel consumption readout, outside temperature readout, odometers, travel computer and cruise control settings. I liked the latter because the cruise control setting was always shown – in small numbers if disengaged, larger numbers when engaged.

The smart steering wheel has audio controls and switches for the VWIS. There are paddles behind the wheel for manual shifting of the Tiptronic side of the transmission.

The only option on our tester was the Technology Package, which included the navigation system and rear-view camera.

If all you want is a beautiful car, then you might want to look at the Volkswagen CC. If you want a little luxury and a vehicle that will turn heads everywhere it goes, take another look.

© 2009 The Auto Page Syndicate