Autoblog

Volkswagen Passat CC R-Line now on sale - in Europe

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Sedan, Europe, Volkswagen, Design/Style

2010 Volkswagen Passat CC R-Line - Click above for high-res image gallery

Volkswagen just opened the order book on the Passat CC with the R-Line package in Europe. We saw this car at the Frankfurt Motor Show and were completely smitten with it. Taking the regular CC's swoopy coupedan shape and adding the R-Line package makes it just about perfect. What stops it from being perfect is the fact that the R-Line package doesn't add any oomph. Just like Audi's S-Line, its alterations are mainly cosmetic.

The R-Line package adds an aero kit, surprisingly modest "Mallory" pattern 17-inch wheels, R-Line emblems, smoked taillights, R-Line aluminum sill plates, a unique three-spoke multifunction leather-wrapped steering wheel, front foglamps, and the Park Pilot system.

It becomes the eighth R-Line model in Volkswagen's lineup and will add 2,200 euro to the price of your CC - about $3,200 in Yankee bucks. Full press release after the jump and plenty of live and press pics below.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: 2010 Volkswagen CC R

Gallery: 2010 Volkswagen Passat CC R-Line

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Volkswagen Passat CC R-Line now on sale - in Europe

Volkswagen Passat CC R-Line now on sale - in Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt 2009: the 2010 Volkswagen CC R is better looking than your midsize sedan

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 09:31:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Sedan, Europe, Volkswagen

2010 Volkswagen CC R - Click above for high-res image gallery

Oh Volkswagen. How is it that the automaker of the people makes what just might be the sleekest, sexiest sedan in the world? No offense to A-M's Rapide, but the Volkswagen CC is not a two-door coupe with a stretch and some rear-doors grafted on. The CC is clean sheet, or at least as clean sheet as the Passat's hard points allow for. And now with the CC R, it's even better looking. And no, we're still not buying the four-door coupe marketing nonsense, no matter how many times someone quotes Wikipedia at us. The CC R is dreamboat sedan.

Let's get the obvious out of the way: CC R - tee hee hee. We can't imagine the "there's a bad moon on the right" jokes ever ceasing. That's mindless naming conventions for you. Aside from that, the R badge (or R-line as they call it here in the land of yummy sausage, pickled everything and friendly, frisky fräuleins) is very identical to Audi's S-line. So all show and no go. But if you're going to do it...

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: 2010 Volkswagen CC R

Frankfurt 2009: the 2010 Volkswagen CC R is better looking than your midsize sedan originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: Volkswagen preparing Golf CC for Frankfurt?

Noah Joseph — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:34:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Hatchback, Volkswagen, Rumormill

Think the German auto industry is packed enough with segment-busting five-door whatchamacallits? Apparently the Germans don't, because they keep on rolling 'em out. With BMW showing its 5 Series GT and Audi unveiling the new A5 Sportback, Volkswagen may be joining the fray as well with a baby brother to the slick Passat CC based on the Golf.

Although some reports suggest that Wolfsburg could be preparing to unveil the new Golf CC at the Frankfurt Motor Show, we'd be surprised if it were ready so soon. The five-door coupe/sedan/hatchback is expected to be based on the next-generation Golf VII, which isn't due until 2012 at the earliest.

[Source: L'Automobile via eurocarblog]

Rendered Speculation: Volkswagen preparing Golf CC for Frankfurt? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2009 Volkswagen CC Sport is a mid-size segment buster

Jonny Lieberman — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Europe, Volkswagen, Reviews

2009 Volkswagen CC Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery

We still cringe upon hearing marketing types utter the phrase "four-door coupe." It's inherently a lie, a scam. Who are they trying to fool? It's not a four-door coupe, it's a sedan with a sloping roof - generally one that's missing a middle rear-seat. And there's nothing wrong with that. But, just like automakers the world 'round bend over backwards corrupting the language to avoid calling a station wagon anything but a station wagon (Sportback, Avant, Sportcombi, etc.), the oxymoronic four-door coupe appears to be here to stay. Where's George Carlin when you need him? With that rant out of the way, the 2009 Volkswagen CC is the best four-door coupe we've ever driven - at least this side of a Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG, which is three times the price.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Volkswagen CC Sport

Continue reading Review: 2009 Volkswagen CC Sport is a mid-size segment buster

Review: 2009 Volkswagen CC Sport is a mid-size segment buster originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Aug 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyundai trumps BMW and Jaguar in J.D. Power 2009 APEAL study

Michael Harley — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Marketing/Advertising, BMW, Dodge, Ford, Hyundai, Nissan, Volkswagen, Luxury

Click above for a gallery of the graphics from J.D. Power and Associates

Porsche grabs the top spot for the fifth year in a row in the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout (APEAL) Study. For this year's study, the team at JDPA gathered information from more than 80,900 purchasers and lessees of new 2009 model-year cars and questioned them on more than 90 vehicle attributes. Their studies examined "how gratifying a new vehicle is to own and drive," based on those evaluations.

While the APEAL nameplate ranking is significant (Porsche, Jaguar, and Cadillac round out the top-three), the segment winners offer more insight into what today's buyers are seeking. This year, it appears to be the newly launched models including the Volkswagen CC, Nissan Maxima, Dodge Challenger, and Ford Flex... each took top honors in their respective category. This year's biggest upset comes in the "Midsize Premium Car" segment as the all-new Hyundai Genesis (sedan) knocks the BMW 5 Series from the podium. Check out the gallery for the graphics, and read the full press release after the break.

Gallery: 2009 J.D. Power APEAL Results

[Source: JDPower.com]

Continue reading Hyundai trumps BMW and Jaguar in J.D. Power 2009 APEAL study

Hyundai trumps BMW and Jaguar in J.D. Power 2009 APEAL study originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen CC racks up the design awards

Noah Joseph — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:01:00 EST

Filed under: Volkswagen

2009 Volkswagen (Passat) CC - Click above for high-res image gallery

Volkswagen is usually known for its simple, basic, iconic styling; the classic Beetle and the previous-generation Jetta are perfect case studies. Which is why the svelte and streamlined CC - known overseas as the Passat CC - has come as a refreshing change of pace for the German automaker. We're not the only ones who think so, either, as the four-door coupe from Wolfsburg has been accumulating design awards the world over.

Adding to the list that already includes the coveted iF Product Design Award and the Australian International Design Award, the Volkswagen CC has now been awarded the prestigious Red Dot Design Award. The prize has bestowed annually since 1955 by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen, the legendary design museum housed in the reclaimed Zollverein coal mine. The Best of the Best award was accepted by designer Martin Kropp on behalf of VW's Exterior Design Studio 1 and you can get all the details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2009 Volkswagen Passat CC

Continue reading Volkswagen CC racks up the design awards

Volkswagen CC racks up the design awards originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: VW recalls all 5,000 2008 R32 hot hatches, some CC sedans

Dan Roth — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Recalls, Safety, Volkswagen

Volkswagen has two unrelated recalls underway, both for issues that pose safety risks. All 5,000 2008 R32s are being called home to replace a valve in the evaporative system. Left unchanged, the fuel tank vent valve may creep open when ambient temperatures are high, and driving conditions are just right. The misbehaving valve could lead to fuel winding up in the evaporative emissions system, possibly even getting into the charcoal canister, which could lead to driveability issues. The fix is a new valve, available at the VW dealer, free of charge.

The other recall involves nearly 6,000 CC models. A misrouted wiring harness related to the right front seat's seatbelt buckle could lead to wire damage. If the harness suffers damage, it will disable the passenger's airbag, while also lighting a warning lamp in the dash cluster. With a disabled airbag, crashes are potentially more injurious, so buyers are encouraged to head to the dealer, where they'll look for the problem and replace whatever parts are needed. Thanks for the tip, Oliver.

[Source: usrecallnews]

Gallery: Review: 2008 VW R32

REPORT: VW recalls all 5,000 2008 R32 hot hatches, some CC sedans originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sunday Poll: Choose your coupe-ish four-door

Alex Nunez — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 19:32:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Etc.

Click above for a hi-res gallery of tonight's poll entrants

This weekend's Porsche Panamera photos have everyone talking, and it had us thinking it's time for a Sunday Poll. Sportier, coupe-like four-doors are no longer a novelty; everyone's doing (or plans to do) it. So, given the choice, which one would you pick. Our candidates are a mix of cars already here, cars on the way, and one concept that seems like a lock to come to fruition. Are you beguiled or bewildered by Stuttgart's new four-door? Maybe you like Fisker's green-but-beautiful approach. How about the Mercedes CLS, which basically started this trend? VW's now in the game with the CC, and Aston's busy cooking up the production Rapide. Let's not forget Jaguar's wide-eyed kitty, the XF. And we'd be remiss if we left out the Lamborghini Estoque, a concept that has cash cow written all over it for Sant'Agata. So, throw all those pesky restrictions like budget and availability out the window. In your opinion, who's got the best take on the coupe-sedan look so far?

Gallery: Sunday Poll: Choose Your Coupe-ish Four-Door

View Poll

Sunday Poll: Choose your coupe-ish four-door originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 23 Nov 2008 19:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009 Volkswagen CC, Passat recalled for steering malfunction

Chris Tutor — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 02:00:00 EST

Filed under: Recalls, Volkswagen

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Volkswagen CC

While sporting around the Southeast in Volkswagen's new CC recently, failure of the steering system was not something we worried about. Apparently, though, it should have been. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced a recall of all 2009 Volkswaken Passats, Passat Wagons and CCs sold for steering problems. According to the recall description, a damaged capacitor could mean the driver's "steering input is not properly addressed." Which, of course, is hardly ever a good thing.

Luckily, the recall affects only 130 cars and has resulted in no accidents.

[Source: NHTSA via Edmunds Inside Line]

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Volkswagen CC

2009 Volkswagen CC, Passat recalled for steering malfunction originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2009 Volkswagen CC

Chris Tutor — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 11:56:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Volkswagen, First Drive

2009 Volkswagen CC - Click above for high-res image gallery

Is "four-door coupe" an oxymoron or a clever twist on automotive design rules? That was a popular question among the 50 or so journalists invited to drive Volkswagen's new CC from Atlanta to Nashville last week.

The seemingly contradictory term was apparently first used to describe the Rover P5 Mark II in 1962, but was revived more recently when Mercedes introduced its CLS in 2004. In both cases the cars' low rooflines defied conventional saloon styling and needed a unique descriptor for marketing pizazz.

When rumors of the VW CC began to leak out, some speculated the CLS would be its main target. But Volkswagen learned from the disappointing U.S. acceptance of the Phaeton: Luxury buyers pay for brand cache as much as they do for supple leather and high-tech gadgets. This time around, says Brett Scott, VW's product planning manager, they expect many of their customers to be Camry and Accord shoppers attracted to the CC's stand-out styling.

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Volkswagen CC

Continue reading First Drive: 2009 Volkswagen CC

First Drive: 2009 Volkswagen CC originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Sep 2008 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pebble Beach 2008: VW shows off CC Gold Coast in Monterey

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Volkswagen, Misc. Auto Shows

Click above for high-res gallery of the VW CC Gold Coast

Volkswagen has used the occasion of this year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance to unveil its new CC Gold Coast edition. The most obvious change that sets the CC GC apart from more plebian CCs is the tri-coat paint - DuPont's light brown 'Pepe Pepper' to be specific, which reportedly has gold, brown and silver tones all mixed in for your ocular pleasure. Of course, such a high-end exterior color must be paired with an equally special interior hue, in this case it's leather done up Starbucks-style in 'Latte Macchiatto Cornsilk' with Bronze Piping on the seats and matching accents on the dash and door trim. Also on the docket are 19-inch propeller style wheels that fill the wheel arches rather nicely. A unique ground effects package rounds out the visual mods. Underhood is the familiar 3.6-liter TFSI engine with 280 horsepower and 265 lbs.-ft of torque mated to the automaker's stellar DSG double-clutch 6-speed automatic transmission. We know the regular CC is arriving this fall with a starting price tag around $27,000, but no details on the availability or pricing of the Gold Coast edition have been released yet.

Gallery: VW CC Gold Coast

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Pebble Beach 2008: VW shows off CC Gold Coast in Monterey

Pebble Beach 2008: VW shows off CC Gold Coast in Monterey originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics & Details Aplenty: 2009 Volkswagen Passat CC

Noah Joseph — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 10:33:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Volkswagen

Click the images to view the VW Passat CC in hi-res

Volkswagen has long since emerged from its standing as a no-frills straightforward automaker with a handful of products to offer a full range of vehicles, including hatchbacks, sedans of all sizes, wagons, vans, convertibles, sport coupes, SUVs, a four-door coupe and even an upcoming pickup truck. The German automaker is banking on that diversity to reach an ambitious sales goal of 6.6 million units per annum within ten years from now.

The svelte new Passat CC unveiled in Detroit will form a big part of the company's push, targeted to sell some 300,000 units around the world over the next six years...pretty ambitious for a niche vehicle, to be sure. Although reports suggest that Volkswagen could be dropping the Passat name from this vehicle (at least in the U.S.) in favor of the "CC" moniker alone, the latest information from the automaker itself (it's a European press release) continues to employ the well-established name, which is the third most popular nameplate in Volkswagen's history behind the Golf and Beetle. (Not to mention that the term CC could be confused with the coupe-convertible lexicon used overseas, like Volkswagen's own Eos.) Whatever it will be called, the new four-door coupe will launch in the Fall in markets across Europe, the Far East and North America, and to soften the ground for its landing, VW has laid on us a whole mess of information and new pictures. We're particularly intrigued by the range-topping Passat CC V6 4Motion, packed with all-wheel-drive, DSG and adaptive chassis control. Phaeton who now?

Gallery: 2009 Volkswagen Passat CC

[Source: Volkswagen and Edmunds Auto Observer]

Continue reading Pics & Details Aplenty: 2009 Volkswagen Passat CC

Pics & Details Aplenty: 2009 Volkswagen Passat CC originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Apr 2008 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen drops "Passat" sticks with "CC" for new sedan

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:57:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Volkswagen

A few of us around the Autoblog offices have made the case that the recently unveiled Volkswagen Passat CC should replace the current model and drop the "CC" suffix altogether. Both are fine looking vehicles, but there doesn't seem to be any need for another variant carrying the Passat name. Well, apparently VW agrees with part of that argument and has updated its consumer web site with information about the new CC, while dropping the Passat moniker altogether. It's a subtle marketing ploy that may or may not work, but will help to fill the gaping hole between the standard Passat and the soon-to-be-revived Phaeton nameplate.

Thanks for the tip Rob!

[Source: Volkswagen]

Volkswagen drops "Passat" sticks with "CC" for new sedan originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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