The Volkswagen CC, initially sold as the Volkswagen Passat CC, is a car built by German marque Volkswagen from 2008 to 2016. It is a variant of the Volkswagen Passat that trades headroom and cargo space for a coupé-like profile and sweeping roofline. The CC debuted in January 2008, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit and was discontinued after the 2017 model year. Volkswagen said the name CC stands for Comfort Coupe, recognizing its combination of a coupe-like profile with four rather than two doors. While based on the Passat, and sharing its wheelbase, the CC is 27 mm longer, 50 mm lower, and 36 mm wider than the Passat. While the CC has been replaced by the Arteon in most markets, the latter vehicle retains the CC nameplate in China.

Market launch

At its launch in 2008, Volkswagen forecast 300,000 sales over a period of seven years. The automaker expected that 60% of these sales (about 26,000 units per year) will come from the market of the United States. In China, the CC was released by FAW-Volkswagen on July 15, 2010, and was available in 1.8TSI and 2.0TSI trims. Compared to other midsize sedans in the marketplace, the 2013 Volkswagen CC was evaluated by Edmunds as "attractive and higher quality alternative ... though its smallish backseat and trunk may be deal-breakers ... [and] the sport tuned suspension is on the firm side." Automotive journalists describe the CC sedan's ride as "nearly sports car firm, with every bump and undulation sent directly to your backside."

Specifications

The car has a 2710 mm wheelbase and was available with a 1.4 L E85 TFSI (Finland and Sweden), 1.8 L petrol inline-four, 2.0 L petrol inline four, a 2.0 L inline four TDI engine in various drivetrain configurations, as well as with a 3.6 L VR6 engine producing 220 kW with 4motion four-wheel drive and a six speed Direct-Shift Gearbox transmission. The North American market had the 2.0T I4 and 3.6 L VR6 engine as options. This version of the VR6 engine produced 206 kW and 265 lbft of torque in both front wheel drive and 4MOTION versions, while the 2.0T produced 200 hp and 207 lbft. Manual transmission was available in the 2.0T engine option only. It also came with automatic transmission. On the European market, the CC was offered with 4MOTION four-wheel-drive on the 2.0 L TDI engines. The 103 kW model came with manual transmission and the 125 kW model with Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG). An AdBlue version offering 105 kW named BlueTDI was also produced. Availability varied by national markets. For the 2011 model year, the 2.0T in Europe was upgraded to 155 kW by using the engine variant introduced in the Golf VI GTI.

Facelift

A facelift to the CC was presented at the LA Auto Show, and production started in January 2012. The front and rear were revised to make the CC look similar to the then current Volkswagen design, while the midsection was unchanged. Interior changes included minor updates to the center console along with an updated A/C control panel. This design was also used in the Passat Alltrack. Features included: European engine options remain the same as for the 2011 Passat CC. Transmission options were carried over from the previous version, but the diesel automatic transmission now has with a free wheel function that is claimed to reduce fuel consumption by disengaging the clutch, when the driver lifts their foot from the accelerator. The XDS electronic differential brake that was also used in the Golf GTI was available on the CC as standard or optional equipment. Initially available only in V6 as an AWD alternative, but diesel versions became available during 2012. Availability of diesel 4WD varied by market. In January 2013, the optional 2.0 TDI 170 PS was replaced by an uprated version with 177 PS. The torque increased from 350 to 380 Nm. In 2015, this was again uprated to 184 PS, this time from the new EA288 engine complying with the Euro 6 emissions standard that replaced the previous EA189. Maximum torque remained at 380 Nm. The 140 PS was uprated to 150 PS. The transmission with the V6 in the North American market was a traditional hydraulic automatic transmission, whereas in other markets, it was a DSG transmission.

Motorsport

A specially-prepared CC was raced in the 2013 British Touring Car Championship season and also in later events. Drivers included Warren Scott, Tom Onslow-Cole, and Aiden Moffat.

Successor

With only 3,900 units sold in 2015, the CC was one of the lowest selling models in the Volkswagen range. During November 2016, Volkswagen announced the Arteon would replace the CC. In May 2017, Volkswagen Australia announced the specifications for its new Arteon to replace the discontinued CC at the top end in the car maker's model line up. China would continue production on the CC name starting in August 2018 for the 2019 model year.

Yearly sales