Car Reviews 2012 Volkswagen Cc
TheVolkswagen CCis arguably one of the best-looking cars the German automaker has ever produced. It was introduced in the US lineup in 2009 and is actually a sportier variant of the popular Passat family sedan. The CC moniker literally stands for Comfort Coupe. The car is essentially a coupe with two extra doors.Due to the CC’s sleeker styling cues, the car itself thus sacrifices some practicality over its Passat cousin. The two primary reasons for this are lower seating positions and a more-sloped roofline that compromises rear seat room for adults. At a starting price of $28, 515, it is also considerably more expensive.One primary reason the CC costs more than a Passat has to do with where these cars are built. The all-new 2012 Passat is built in a new VW plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee while the upscale CC comes from the Fatherland. Labor rates, export tariffs, and a current favorable rate of the US dollar over the Euro all equate to a considerable price break for those who purchase American-made Volkswagens. However, for those who don’t mind spending more for German construction and engineering, a European driving feel, and gorgeous styling, the CC is decidedly an enthusiast’s dream.A very powerful 2.0 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine is standard in every model except those with the top-of-the-line VR6 4-Motion Executive trim package, which includes a 3.6 liter V6 powerplant. Incidentally, this option pushes the price to over $40,000. There was a time not long ago when the idea of a 4-cylinder engine powering a car of this size would have been laughable, but the days of antiquated pushrods are now all but extinct. If you haven’t experienced Volkswagen’s excellent 2.0 turbocharged engine, you don’t know what you’re missing. It feels like an old V-8. Really, it does. In the case of the CC, the 2.0T, as it’s dubbed, produces 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. As such, this is more than adequate for the average driver.There are six available trim options in all, but even in its barest form, the CC is hardly stripped-down basic transportation. As for transmission choices, a six-speed manual is standard on the Sport and R-line trims. A six-speed automatic transmission with manual control options is standard on the Luxury models and optional on the lower trims. The VR6 4-Motion Executive model gets a regular six-speed automatic.New for 2012is an analog clock located above the radio and upgraded wood grain for models equipped with that option. Safety features include front driver and passenger airbags as well as side curtain airbags in both the front and rear. In addition, Volkswagen’s Intelligent Crash Response System shuts off the fuel pump, unlocks the doors, and turns on the hazard lights if the car is involved in an accident.The standard 2.0 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder model is rated at 21 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. V6 models get slightly less at 17/ 25, respectively.For those who desire a decidedly European feel and ride at a fraction of typical competitors, the Volkswagen CC is hard to beat.
