?Volkswagen?s 2013 CC: An affordable 4-door Coupe?

Volkswagen bills their 4-door CC model as a coupe, but where I come from, a four-door vehicle is in reality a sedan and a coupe is a vehicle with only two doors. Okay, granted, the CC displays the look of a coupe with its blacked-out ?B? pillars and gracefully curved and coupe-like roofline, but it offers the convenience of an easily accessible rear seat by providing the additional two rear doors. However you choose to categorize the CC -? as a Coupe or Sedan, the 2013 Volkswagen CC is a splendid vehicle with four doors that falls within an affordable price range, and that comes in five trim levels.? Essentially, it showcases the look of a Coupe, while providing the versatility and functionality of a sedan.

The base model CC is the Sport followed by a Sport Plus; then a Lux model; a VR6 Lux model; and finally, a VR6 4Motion Executive model. An R-line? will be added to the lineup early in 2013. There are two engine variants. There?s? a 2.0-liter, DOHC, 16-valve, TFSI, turbocharged, Direct Injection inline four-cylinder that produces 200 horsepower at 5,100 rpm along with 207 pound feet of torque, which is available with either a six-speed manual gearbox, or a 6-speed DSG? automatic transmission with Tiptronic? featuring Manual shift capability, both gearing motive force to the front wheels. The optional powerplant is a 3.6-liter, DOHC, 24-valve, FSI V6 that makes 280 horses at 5,100 rpm, while also generating 265 pound feet of torque at 2,750 rpm. The VR6 mates to a traditional six-speed automatic with Tiptronic?. VR6 vehicles come in either a Front-wheel or VW?s 4MOTION? permanent All-Wheel Drive system with a Haldex center differential. Four-cylinder model CCs are available only in a Front-Wheel drive configuration.

The 2013 VW CC is perhaps the best looking vehicle in the Volkswagen portfolio. It was visually appealing when it first appeared in the marketplace four years ago, as part of the VW stable and its allure continues today, displaying an even more attractive persona, that harmoniously combines sleek styling cues along with a sporty dynamicism in full sedan comfort. The front and rear fascias display an enhanced new design that heighten the already dramatic allure, and all trim levels feature a high level of luxurious interior appointments that now provides seating for five. Bi-Xenon headlamps and LED Daytime Running Lights are now standard fare and there are now also new exterior colors, wheel choices and interior trim themes available. The low stance serves up an aggressiveness?that adds to the sportiness of the CC, and the frameless side windows not only provide an elegant touch, but make ingress and egress much easier in crowded parking situations. Even the painted tubular trunk hinges highlight the CC?s thoughtful attention to detail in fit and finish. The new CC?s freshening includes a more pronounced hood design and sculpted side sills that connect the new front and rear fascias, emphasizing the energetic horizontal line styling.

The CC?s interior also benefits from a restyling with the leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel with integrated controls for the multimedia system, chrome trimmed gauges, new front head restraints that adjust forward and back as well as up and down, the Climatronic? automatic control system featuring a humidity sensor, the electro-mechanical rack-and-pinion steering system with variable speed assistance and a variety of entertainment options.

In terms of safety and security issues, the 2013 VW CC provides an impressive array of active and passive safety features.

My test Volkswagen CC came in? Lux trim, with the exterior finished in Reflex Silver metallic and the interior executed in a two-tone Desert Beige and Black leatherette with satin silver trim accents. The base price was set at $35,355 with the as tested sticker totaling $36,175.

SUMMARY: In addition to its exceptional good looks, the 2013 Volkswagen CC delivers exceptional driving characteristics as well ? particularly in Lux trim. The Lux trim serves up a most pleasant interior ambience, while the drive is treated to piloting a vehicle that is well planted in a stable manner, even in spirited driving scenarios. Steering provides a positive responsiveness and the ride quality is comfortable ? firm enough to deliver admirable stability, yet compliant enough to smooth things out.

Though the VR6 is sure to deliver a heightened level of performance, the turbocharged 2.0 TFSI?s delivery of 200 horses and 207 pound feet of torque is certainly a good deal more than adequate for the average motorist and even provides enough to give the enthusiast something to grin about.

Fit and finish are on par with what one would expect from many luxury sport sedans without paying an exorbitant price. The front seats are heatable and quite? comfortable and supportive. Standard fare includes: the Panoramic sunroof, Bi-Xenon headlights with Adaptive front lighting system, 6.5-inch touchscreen navigation system, Media Device Interface with iPod cable and much more.

The 2013 VW CC also comes with an outstanding warranty program and Driver Care Package including 24-hour Roadside Assistance.

All-in-all, this latest iteration VW CC is equal to, if not better than many entry-level luxury sedans available in today?s marketplace.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Volkswagen CC? Lux 4-Dr. Cpe ??13

Base Price:?????????????? ??????????? $35,355.

Price as Tested:??????????? ??????????? $36,175.

Engine Type and Size:??????????? 2.0-liter, DOHC, 16-valve, TFSI, turbocharged, Direct Injection inline four-cylinder.

Horsepower (bhp):??????????? ??????????? 200??????????? @ 5,100??????????? rpm

Torque (ft./ lbs.):??????????? ??????????? 207??????????? @ 1,700??????????? rpm

Transmission:??????????? ??????????? Six-speed DSG? automatic with Tiptronic?. Manual ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? shift capability.

Drive Train:??????????? Transversely mounted front engine / Front-wheel drive.

Suspension:??????????? ??????????? ??????????? Front ? Strut-type with lower control arms, coil ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? springs, telescopic dampers and anti-roll bar.

??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? Rear ? Multi-link with coil springs, telescopic dampers ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? and anti-roll bar.

Brakes:??????????? ??????????? ??????????? power-assisted, dual circuit four-wheel discs (vented ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? front) with 4-wheel, 3-channel ABS with EBD and ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ESC.

Tires:??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? Continental ContiSportContact 235/40 R18 all-Season ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? mounted on 5-double-spoke alloy wheels.

Wheelbase:??????????? ??????????? ??????????? 106.7??????????? inches

Length Overall:??????????? ??????????? 188.9??????????? inches

Width:??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ? 73.0??????????? inches

Height:??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ? 55.8??????????? inches

Curb Weight:??????????? ??????????? ??????????? 3,369??????????? lbs.

Fuel Capacity:??????????? ??????????? 18.5??????????? gallons

EPA Mileage Estimates:??????????? 22??????????? mpg city / 31??????????? mpg highway

Drag Coefficient:??????????? ??????????? 0.284

0 – 60 mph:??????????? ??????????? ??????????? not tested.