:aa: for-production model unveiled at Volkswagen's Detroit show stand undeniably has more than a little extra dash of panache compared to the Passat sedan.
The so-called 2009 Volkswagen Passat CC not only bears the name of one of one of America's most popular on-a-budget family sedans; it has a similar size overall, too. Just a little bit of utility is sacrificed for a lot more style and flair, along with a host of high-tech features, to create a product that promises to be more desirable and exclusive.
Having learned its lesson with the big, expensive Phaeton, VW looks to be reaching upscale from the Passat with a new, more incremental strategy as it bolsters its product line with products like the upcoming Tiguan.
With the Phaeton now discontinued in the U.S. market, the CC looks destined for the top of the automaker’s U.S. product line. The Passat CC’s curvaceous styling and very coupe-like silhouette will likely be more eye catching that the conservatively styled, opulent Phaeton. Just as the CLS and its flamboyant four-door coupe styling lifted Mercedes-Benz's image, the Passat CC looks poised to do that for VW — just as an Audi A7 and BMW four-door coupe are also on the way.
The swoopy, “four-door coupe” design is supported with details that maintain the car’s luster up close and do set it apart from the mainstream Passat, like frameless doors and a contrasting mix of smooth transitions, such as that from the back window seamlessly into the trunk, and expressive creases, such as those which form behind the front wheels, become bolder, and form a sharp crease that wraps around and functions as a decklid spoiler.
The show car features a ‘Panorama power vent sunroof’ that measures about 30 inches by 44 inches and covers the entire frontal roof area back to the B-pillar. Like the Mercedes CLS, the Passat CC has two sport bucket seats in back instead of a bench, to seat a total of four adults in comfort. Rear seats are oriented toward long-distance comfort yet have more lateral support than a typical bench. In the full-length center console, there’s a cooled storage compartment. Real wood and brushed-aluminum accents are offered, and there’s an ambient lighting package to give the interior just the right mood.