There’s a new name and a facelift for Volkswagen’s four-door ‘coupe-a-like’. No longer the Passat CC, the new car shall henceforth be known as simply the CC.
However, there isn’t a huge amount of difference between the old model and the facelifted car. Since the outgoing car proved extremely popular, with worldwide sales of over 270,000 units, Volkswagen has decided this is a case of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’.
The minimal changes are mainly on the outside of the car. A new grille with revised bi-xenon headlights and a re-designed bonnet make up the refreshed front end.
The rear of the car has been subtly tweaked too. A chrome strip on the bumper and new set of LED tail lights are the major changes, along with LED lights for the number plate and a VW badge that can contain an optional rear-view camera.
Standard equipment has been upgraded and now includes features such as VW’s Driver Alert system and four-way adjustable head restraints for the front seats. New optional extras include High Beam Assist (which automatically dips the headlights when necessary), a blind spot warning system, Lane Assist (which makes sure the car stays within the lane it is travelling), adaptive cruise control with an emergency braking function for city driving, front ‘climate’ seats with massage function built-in and finally an electrically-deployed tow bar.
The engine range will comprise two petrol-powered units; a 1.8-litre with 158bhp and a 2.0-litre with 207bhp. There will also be one 2.0-litrediesel engine available with either 138bhp or 168bhp.
Due to go on sale in the UK in March, the CC will make its first public appearance at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 16.
There are no details on pricing, fuel economy or CO2 emissions at this time.
