Stylish yet practical express with parsimonious economy
Despite being based on Passat looks so much more ‘premium’
For – Performance, economy, superb refinement
Against – No steering wheel paddles
The CC is just so much more than a Passat with a lower roof
The Volkswagen CC GT 2.0 TDI 170 Blue Motion Technology DSG
I drive a lot of cars over the course of a year with prices ranging from £7,000 to more than £300,000 and I don’t normally want to keep the car that I have just driven. The Volkswagen CC is the exception and if VW had forgotten that I had it, I probably wouldn’t have reminded them, such is the compelling desirability and practicality of this large saloon.
Ample room despite lowered roof
During my tenure, I needed to transport another three large blokes with overnight luggage to the NEC for the Classic Car Motorshow, a round trip of around 300 miles, returning right in the middle of the rush hour on a Friday afternoon.
Despite the sporty style and lowered roof line the CC has ample room for four large men and its 170 PS diesel offers remarkable performance returning 44 mpg on the fast trip including a lot of stop – start motoring on the way back.
6-speeds more than enough
I have driven Volkswagen Group products with 8-speed DSG gearboxes but the 6-speeds on the CC felt totally adequate and gave immediate and imperceptible changes. I did miss steering wheel paddles which don’t even seem to be an option but the gears could be changed manually.
It may be that the lowered roof line improves aerodynamics because the CC is uncannily quiet, much quieter than the Passat on which it is based. The car is over 16 feet long but seems to shrink around the driver and offers superb ride and handling with brakes that work well although, although a little oversensitive for my taste.
The GT version tested here is fully equipped with 18” alloy wheels, Adaptive Chassis Control, six airbags, electronic parking brake with auto and hill-hold, battery regeneration, stop/start, parking sensors front and rear, electric mirrors and windows, B-xenon headlights, and LED rear lights, fully adjustable steering wheel with audio and trip computer controls, DAB radio with CD, MP3, SD reader, USB and iPod, Bluetooth hands-free, cruise control, satellite navigation, split –folding rear seat and Nappa leather upholstery.
©Robert Couldwell. November 2012
For publication on Wintons World
| Volkswagen CC GT 2.0 TDI 170 Blue Motion Technology DSG | |
|---|---|
| Engine: | 2.0 litre 4-cylinder diesel |
| Power: | 170 PS @ 4,200rpm |
| Torque: | 350 Nm @ 1,750 |
| Gearbox: | 6-speed DSG automatic |
| Drive: | Front wheels |
| Acceleration: | 0-62 mph-100 km/h – 8.6 seconds |
| Top Speed: | 137 mph-219 km/h |
| Fuel Consumption: | claimed combined – 5.5 l/km / 51.4 mpg |
| CO2: | 144 g/km |
| Emissions class: | E.U.5 |
| Length: | 4,802 mm |
| Width: | 1,855 mm |
| Height: | 1,421 mm |
| Weight: | 1,581 kg |
| Wheel-base: | 2,710 |
| Boot capacity: | 452 litres |
| Competition: | Audi A5 and possibly Mercedes CLS |
| Price: | £30,280 |
| For: | Wonderful steering and handling |
| Against: | No steering wheel paddles |
No comments yet.