For Volkswagen lovers out there – and there are legions of us – the venerable German brand of the people has launched a new vehicle aimed at converts getting longer in the tooth.
Cutting their teeth on the Love Bugs and Hippie Vans of the ’60s and ’70s, these baby boomers are looking to embrace a car that provides sports-car dynamics and dimensions with sedan comfort in a sophisticated blend that doesn’t come with an
Audi, BMW or Mercedes-Benz price tag.
Enter the 2009 Volkswagen CC, a stylish coupe-like sedan that turns heads everywhere it goes. Offered with a 2.0T engine in Sport and Luxury configurations, and with a 3.6-liter powerplant in Sport and 4Motion models, the CC starts at $26,700 and climbs to $39,300. Certainly not chump change, but certainly a good deal when one ventures behind the wheel and compares the CC to the competition.
My tester was the 3.6-liter VR6 4Motion model with a six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic manual-shift option. The engine incorporates variable valve timing, variable intake lengths and indirect-injection technologies to provide optimal power and efficiency.
With an acceleration rate of 0 to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds, the CC has a fuel economy rating of 18 mpg city, 27 mpg highway. Its interior supplies four ergonomically-formed sports seats that are positioned to sit low and provide improved lateral support and enhance the feeling of connectivity between driver, passengers and the road without sacrificing comfort.
Mission accomplished.
VW pulls off the sports-car feel by equipping all CC models with a specifically tuned sport suspension, electromechanical power steering with dual pinions, and telescopic, self-leveling shocks and stabilizer bars. The result is a balanced, comfortable, agile, snug-as-a-bug ride.
On one particular icy morning, the CC experienced black ice and freezing fog. Equipped with V-Dub’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive technology, electronic stabilization program, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, anti-slip regulation and brake assist, the CC cruised to Kamiak High School and work without so much as a hiccup.
And then there’s the luxurious array of amenities that pamper and spoil. The short list includes heated leather front seats, dynamic premium sound system with 10 high-end speakers and 600 watts of amplification, am/fm/satellite radio with six-disc in-dash CD player, multi-media plug-in for external audio sources, navigation system, rear parking camera, power vent sunroof, anti-theft alarm system and a whole bunch more.
Practicality does not receive short shrift, either. CC includes front and rear center consoles to provide out-of-sight storage and space for drinks. Split and folding rear seats can be deployed when spacious trunk space needs to be enhanced.
Did I mention that the CC looks the part as well? Several people mentioned during the test week that the CC exterior reminded them of the Mercedes-Benz lines. The CC benefits from a dramatically lowered, rear-swept roofline and aggressive wide stance for starters. Frameless doors promote flowing lines in the side profile, which is enhanced by 18-inch multi-spoke wheel designs.
The gussied-up CC reminds me of Robert Plant’s acceptance speech at the recent Grammy ceremony in Los Angeles , when he made reference to the fact that he would have “considered this selling out, 30 or 40 years ago.”
If the CC represents selling out compared to the Love Bug and Hippie Van days, so be it. I accept the judgment with a smile – just like Robert Plant.
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