Drivetime With Vinnie Richichi-Road Test:2013 Volkswagen CC Sport
PITTSBURGH (NewsRadio 1020 KDKA) -- The 2013 Volkswagen CC may be the German automakers best bigger car effort yet. The CC brings the smart design of the Passat to the table but then adds a sports coupe look and feel to it. The result is an attractive, unique looking car that while may not be for everyone, is sure a car that will get a second look when it is driving down the street.
Based on the popular Passat, the CC delivers an almost entirely different look than VW's big sedan. Most noticeable is the roofline that gets the arched treatment a la the Mercedes-Benz CLS550. Low and sexy the roof compliments the flowing lines along the sides of the car and the muscular wheel wells. Altogether it gives the CC a distinguished look while hanging on to the VW family DNA. I found the CC to be a striking automobile.
Inside the CC gets attractive two toned seats that are very supportive although the different sitting position in the front seats does take a bit of getting used to. Gone is the 2+2 seating arrangement in favor of a three person rear seat which is comfortable for two but a bit crowded for three. The low roof line also means less headroom for rear passengers so you might have to ask you friends that play in the NBA to grab another ride. Materials are top line feeling like they belong in a much more expensive vehicle. Dash is easy to read but VW's infotainment system takes a little getting used to though once mastered it is just fine.
Hitting the road in the CC, the 200 hp turbocharged 4 cylinder delivers solid smooth performance with good 0-60 response as well as strong passing power. The CC also offers a VR6 engine option as well as 4Motion all wheel drive. The 4 cylinder with the 6 speed manual I drove seemed quite ample for just about anything I could throw at it.
Handling wise the CC was taught and felt very controlled. Steering was a tad light but still had a solid feel of the road and sent the CC exactly where you pointed it. Through curves the CC was very well behaved with a comfortable but taut ride. In city driving bumps were absorbed without any bone jarring. Hitting the rural roads there was an athletic sporty feel to the ride. The CC was a lot of fun to drive.
There are several trim and package levels of the CC offered with prices ranging from $30,250 to just north of $41,000. The basic CC Sport w Lighting Package I drove stickered at $31,430. Gas mileage figures come in at 21 city/32 highway/ 25 mpg combined. The 2013 CC is a Top Safety Pick of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety getting high marks in all of their tests.
Volkswagen has done a nice job with the CC on several levels. It is a well designed attractive car that is unique looking enough to make you feel like you can find it in the parking lot without hitting the key fob. It has a solid feel to its driving personality and is very Audi-esque. Problem might be that, for what you shell out for a top of the line CC you are up in Audi territory and people might want to make that jump. But if you are a VW loyalist or want to distinguish yourself from the look alike pack in this class of vehicle the CC should get a serious look.
UPDATE 10/18: VW today announced pricing for the R Line version of the CC. The car will sticker at $33,020 for the manual, $34,120 for the DSG 6 speed automatic. The R-Line includes 18-inch wheels, a new front fascia with a lower lip and sportier foglight surrounds, stainless-steel door-sill plates, new side skirts, special R-Line badges, and touchscreen navigation. The R-Line package is available only on versions equipped with the 200-hp 2.0-liter turbo-four engine. It is expected to hit dealerships by the end of the year. VR
For more information:http://www.vw.com/en/models/cc/gallery.html?sem=google
