Volkswagen CC GT BlueMotion Technology 2.0-litre TDI 170 PS 6spd DSG
Car review: PETER NUNN 
What is it?
The CC is Volkswagen’s second generation take on the D-segment (large saloon) four-door coupe. Underneath, this is a Passat. On top, you get a sleeker, more glamorous shape to create more pizzazz on the road and in the office/golf club car park.
The original Passat CC, born in July 2008, tapped into the hot four-door coupe market, pretty much invented by Mercedes with the CLS. You had the four-door practicality and solid engineering of the Passat, combined with a more elegant body and sexier interior. The Passat CC soon became a niche hit and in the UK around 80% were sold to fleet customers.
For generation two, VW has dropped the Passat link, so the name is just CC and the formula steps up for 2012 with sharper styling and the latest VW engineering. First UK deliveries of this new shape CC took place this April.
The CC range offers four engine choices – two petrol, two diesel – spanning 1.8-2.0-litres. This CC GT with BlueMotion Technology 2.0-litre TDI engine (170PS) and 6-speed DSG box is the range-topper and comes with a basic ‘on the road’ recommended retail price of £30,295.
What’s hot?
- The styling. With the CC, you’re paying extra for that more glamorous, designer body versus the Passat on which it’s based. The new shape is evolutionary but still with that low roofline and attractive sloping rear pillar treatment which so catches the eye.
- Cabin presentation is first rate with high quality dash, seats and fittings. With the GT, you get heated front seats and full Nappa leather upholstery to up the luxury factor, to add to the standard RNS 315 touchscreen sat-nav, DAB digital radio, 2Zone climate control…and more.
- Adaptive chassis control, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors and new 18-inch alloy wheels also come with the GT pack. So do front fog lights and head-insulating tinted glass from the B-pillar back.
- XDS, an electronic cross-axle traction control system for enhanced road holding and handling again standard with the CC GT.
- VW’s well-proven 2.0-litre TDI engine is ultra refined. So quiet, you might wonder if it really is a diesel. Seamless DSG transmission is similarly outstanding, well in tune with the CC’s high quality feel.
- Cabin space is plentiful, both in front and back, and there’s good headroom despite that shallow roofline. CC is also set up to carry as many as five people.
- Boot is massive and 60/40 split-fold rear seats give you a further option, meaning you can cram in far bulkier loads than you perhaps imagine.
What’s not?
- The CC GT is smooth and refined, but also fast without being furious. Keen drivers might find the 170 ps on offer rather lacking in this relatively large, low and wide body. However, it cruises beautifully.
- Despite the sophistication of three-mode adaptive chassis control (giving you the choice of Sport, Normal or Comfort), it’s hard to find a setting that provides the feedback and control of a good conventional system.
- No paddleshift control to go with the DSG transmission.
- Brakes are rather sensitive and snatchy, lacking progression.
- Does that sloping C-pillar block off rear 3/4 vision? For some drivers, the answer might be yes.
- Lower spec 140 ps version of the CC GT is cheaper, more economical and makes a better business proposition with lower emissions than this top spec 170 ps model – and lower company car tax rates.
