2013 Volkswagen CC Preview

Introduction

In recent years, many luxury automakers have introduced vehicles known as "four-door coupes," cars with rakish rooflines and smaller rear doors than traditional sedans. The Volkswagen CC brings this style and philosophy at a lower price point.

Exterior Features

This Volkswagen's name is derived from the phrase "Comfort Coupe," but while a traditional coupe is equipped with two doors, the 2013 VW CC has four doors equipped with frameless glass. The CC features a low coefficient of drag, measuring 0.284 cd. Notably, models equipped with the available reversing camera have the camera tucked behind the VW badge on the trunk.

Interior Features

Among the standard features, the 2013 Volkswagen CC is equipped with V-Tex leatherette upholstery, 12-way power front sport seats, dual-zone automatic climate control with pollen filtration and a humidity sensor, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity and music streaming capability, and a premium sound system.

Optional Features

To add options to the 2013 CC, buyers must upgrade to one of six more expensive trim levels. Highlights include a Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) automated manual transmission, V-6 engine, all-wheel drive, navigation system, power sunroof, ventilated and massaging leather seats, reversing camera, power rear sunshade, and a 600-watt Dynaudio premium sound system.

Under the Hood

Volkswagen CC models with a "2.0T" designation are equipped with a direct-injected, turbocharged, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making 200 horsepower and 207 lb.-ft. of torque. What's notable about this engine is that peak torque is available from 1,700 to 5,000 rpm, where peak horsepower step in from 5,100 to 6,000 rpm, the maker says. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard on the base 2.0T Sport model, and a 6-speed DSG is included on all other 2.0T trim levels.

A 3.6-liter V-6 engine is standard on the V6 Lux and VR6 4Motion Executive models. It makes 280 horsepower and 265 lb.-ft. of torque, and is paired with a 6-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. The 4Motion model includes Volkswagen's all-wheel-drive system.

Fuel Economy

Volkswagen recommends premium fuel for all CC models. According to the EPA, the 2013 CC achieves the following fuel-economy ratings:

• CC 2.0T with manual gearbox: 21/32/25 mpg (city/hwy/combined)
• CC 2.0T with DSG: 22/31/25 mpg
• CC V6 with Tiptronic automatic: 17/27/21 mpg
• CC VR6 with 4Motion: 17/25/20 mpg

Safety

The 2013 VW CC is equipped with six air bags, traction and stability control, and 4-wheel-disc ABS with brake assist and a brake-drying feature for improved performance in rainy conditions, the automaker says. Models with a V-6 engine also get a reversing camera.

Volkswagen also includes its Intelligent Crash Response system on all of its models. If the air bags deploy, this system shuts down the supply of fuel to the engine, activates the hazard flashers, and unlocks the doors.

As this preview is published, crash-test scores are not available for the 2013 CC. For the 2012 model year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named the structurally identical CC a "Top Safety Pick."