Can the adage of 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it" be refuted? In the case of the Passat, Volkswagen has certainly proved its point.
Photos: Joel Tam
Combining the sporty dynamics of a coupe with the comfort of a high end sedan, the Passat CC does indeed provide an amalgam of outstanding driving experience in the fashionable world of sport sedans. With its aerodynamic profile and luxurious cabin, each and every single detail of this car has been designed by Volkswagen with the original and conservative Passat reworked into a coupe-esque sedan.
Vis-Ã -vis the original Passat, the Passat CC is indeed the better looking sibling. Just think of the CC as Kim Kardashian and the original one Khloe, you get my point now? With its seductive styling and coupe-like dimensions, the Passat CC certainly sports a rather striking form that would definitely turn heads on the road.
Right from the onset, the CC's lineage is unmistakeably Passat from its large chromed out grille and sharp looking head lights, but versus the regular Passat, Kim or rather the CC (a bit of a freudian slip there) is apparently more svelte in appearance. Though both cars share the same wheelbase, the CC is slightly longer at both ends, giving the CC an overall appearance of a lower sloping roof line, which in fact the CC does indeed sit slightly lower. Coupled with a wider track, the CC is indeed the sibling dressed to paint the town red with the posse compared to the almost vanilla elder sibling. And it also doesn't help that Kim has better frontal assets due to the ‘hump' on the CC's bonnet...
Available in three petrol variants of a 1.8-litre, two-litre and a range topping 3.6-litre V6, the test unit we drove comes in the intermediate guise of the two-litre TSI that churns out 200 ponies and 280Nm worth of torque. Using the same engine sourced from the much loved Golf GTI mated to a six-speed DSG twin clutch transmission, the two litre turbo charged CC shoots off the blocks from nought to 100 in 7.7 seconds.
On the move, the Passat CC as with its Sport moniker and 'coupe' identity performs admirably. The turbo charged two litre four pot pulls off readily with excellent throttle response and is virtually lag free, even more so in Sport mode. And when the accelerator was floored hard, the addictive sound of wheel spin was heard in tandem with the gruff sounding engine snarl in protest of the rev needle's ascent, further highlighting the car's sporty potential even though the car is meant to be a smooth and refined drive.
Power is nothing without control and in the Passat CC, control was never in shortage. Round the twisty bits, the Passat CC goes round the bends ably, with its low slung body and DCC (Dynamic Chassis Control) system keeping it firmly planted. With Sport mode, the firmed up suspension and steering further aids in the car's body control, which does serve up greater chunks of confidence in a spirited drive, further underlining the car's sporty aspirations and competence.
Further aiding in the car's identity of being a sports sedan is the interior which does accentuate that feel of class and sportiness. However, the sloping roof line towards the rear has compromised head room for the passengers at the back, but that serves little to distract the occupants from the high quality fit and finish typical of all Volkswagen vehicles. Upfront the steeply raked windshield, brushed metal-finish centre console and lowered seats contribute to the sporty feel and the design of the dash area spiced up with contrasting stitches on various parts of the car and the car's instrument binnacle bathed in white back lighting amongst others contribute to the overall feel of style and substance.
For a car that drives exceptionally well, has a quiet and comfortable interior with an exterior of well balanced proportions and flowing lines, the Passat CC is indeed an appealing proposition for buyers of a sports sedan. And further more, the revised CC now comes with a new rear bench that seats three, bar the relative lack of headroom for the rear passengers.
