Spy shots: Volkswagen Passat CC "coupe"
With the imminent arrival of the new coupe-shaped Volkswagen Passat at the Geneva Motor Show and the recently launched teaser site for the budget CLS competitor, it was only a matter of time before more detailed spy shots found their way onto the Web.The artic white mule was caught undergoing testing in the chilly clime of Finland with its upmarket Mercedes rival. The front end struck us as particularly Lexus-like, aping the Japanese GS model with lights inset between the grille and the headlamps, and carrying a similar theme throughout the air dams. Whether all those elements will make it to production, or are merely camo to confound spy photogs, remains to be seen.
Unfortunately, the profile proves to be more last-gen Accord then Benz-beating chic, although judging from the awkwardly shaped rear window, we doubt that the back end will remain as staid when it graces the V-Dub show stand in March.
Click the pic above to check out several shots of the Passat "coupe" in action.
[Source: Auto Channel]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
seoultrain 3:35PM (12/14/2007)
wow, that is one awkward-looking car. Totally defeats the purpose of the 4-door "coupe."
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Ligor 3:35PM (12/14/2007)
that nose looks liek a lexus GS
so now VW has combine a CLS with a GS
i though that was hyundai's job, but I guess if VW wants to catch Toyota in 3 years they'll have to be somewhat copy cats
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futurama 3:39PM (12/14/2007)
HAHA...VW did a great job camouflaging their secret passat coupe!! the fellow reader at AutoBlog actually thinks IT actually is just a blunt copycat of Lexus GS. haha...that is so funny.
p.s plz. look through the obvious camo trying to hide its identity next time.
Chase 8:41AM (12/15/2007)
I don't think anyone has caught the drift that this model is designed for Europe. VW is considered a premium brand there, and I can tell you that this car is extremely well made for that market.
As an example, because of the massive amount of public transportation, getting a taxi is considered a luxury. That considered, taxi fleets generally either have MB E-series or Passats.
In Europe, the main distinction between Audi and VW where their lines overlap is that VW produces more functional cars, where Audi produces more beautiful cars. A lot of "old rich" in Europe enjoy the civility of the VW name over more ostentatious brands.
In Europe, also, VWs cost about double what they do here. Most of that is because of currency exchange rates, and VW essentially subsidizing its US arm to remain competitive, but at least a good chunk of it is because VW is considered an extremely desirable brand.
Ligor 3:23PM (12/15/2007)
@ futurama
i'm not talking heaglight dummy
check out the grill
then open a pic of a GS and see that it looks the same
then combine that with a CLS and there youhave it
but VW had done a poor job of trying to impersonate
Xcountryflyer 3:37PM (12/14/2007)
That car is so generic--why bother? And I'm sure they will premium price it. I see so many less Passats since the bloated it and moved it so far upscale. Porsche--hurry up and takeover VW. They need a lot of of help.
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Nico 3:39PM (12/14/2007)
Not only does the nose look exactly like a GS, but so does the rear, just check the tail-lights. Maybe it's wearing the GS bumpers to hide the final product?
And nothing about this car says coupe to me. VW's make such awkward cars save their hatchbacks.
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lovice 8:58AM (12/15/2007)
Why would you think VW needs to save their hatchbacks???
Hacthbacks are the best selling models in Vw's range! And Golf is one of the best selling cars in the world!
So what are you talking about???!!!
O, wait...you Americans always think the word "world" mean USA, right? And since the only VW hatchback selling in the states is Golf, which doesn't sell very well. So somehow you Americans think VW's hatchbacks don't sell very well overall.
Come on, the world we are living in is bigger than USA!
Nico 12:22PM (12/17/2007)
Whoa! Calm down lovice. I meant that hatchbacks are by far the best thing VW does.
Alex 3:39PM (12/14/2007)
..
Good to see VW continue the long-standing tradition of
making crap cars.
..
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Papi L-Gee 3:48PM (12/14/2007)
I don't mind this car so much, except... when it comes, what will be the point of the upcoming Audi A7?
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Val 5:11PM (12/14/2007)
It will be at least 2 times cheaper, wint have a V8, etc.
Papi L-Gee 7:51PM (12/14/2007)
Ok, that works... I guess I'll have to wait to see, then, what constitutes "premium pricing."
500 3:46PM (12/14/2007)
The overall shape looks nice, but it's not a coupe. Not even close.
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Jared 3:46PM (12/14/2007)
Ah yes. This is the type of car that Winterkorn thinks will help VW surpass Toyota in sales.
They must be putting something in the water at VW headquarters...
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futurama 3:55PM (12/14/2007)
Let's keep in mind that the next round of cars (this, scirocco, etc) from VW were in development before Winterkorn took the helm of VW. gosh...people are so ignorant
Jared 4:02PM (12/14/2007)
"people are so ignorant"
Yup, you are so right. Winterkorn IS completely ignorant (or on mind-altering substances). He claims VW will surpass Toyota by 2010.
Chase 8:53AM (12/15/2007)
I don't suppose you saw the article about the fact that Europe buys about as many cars as the US and Europe's favorite brand is VW?
Oh, and also that China, India, Indonesia, and more developing countries will buy more cars than the US soon, and that their favorite brand is often VW?
The US isn't the center of the world anymore, bud.
Jared 9:32AM (12/15/2007)
2006 global sales for Toyota: 8,808,000
2006 global sales for VW: 5,730,000
VW has zero chance of reaching Toyota by 2010.
SherbornSean 4:00PM (12/14/2007)
Attractive, except for the huge front overhang which gives away its obviously FWD roots.
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