2012 Volkswagen Passat CC on sale in Australia next year

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By Tim Beissmann | November 03rd, 2011

The first images of the Volkswagen Passat CC have been released ahead of the four-door coupe’s world premiere at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show later this month.

The Passat CC will go on sale in the US in the second quarter of 2012. Volkswagen Australia has confirmed the updated 2+2 entry-luxury four-door will arrive in local showrooms sometime next year, although specific timing details are still to be finalised.

The new Volkswagen Passat CC adopts the exterior styling of the new Passat sedan and wagon range that arrived in Australia earlier this year.

Square lines and sharper angles replace the bulbous headlights, taillights and rounded grille of the first-generation model. The new chrome grille is broad and bold and integrates with the headlights in a similar fashion to the Volkswagen Phaeton.

The taillights now have a simpler, rounded-rectangle design that appears reminiscent of the ultra-luxury BMW 6 Series Coupe.

The interior also benefits from a number of subtle revisions to give it a more premium appearance.

Depending on the market, the new Passat CC will come standard with bi-xenon headlights with Adaptive Front Lighting System, LED daytime running lights and LED taillights. Australian specifications are still to be confirmed.

Volkswagen is keeping powertrain details under wraps for now, but the updated model is likely to continue with a similar package to the outgoing model.

In Australia, the 2011 Passat CC is available in two distinct trim levels: the $54,990 125TDI (125kW/350Nm 2.0-litre diesel) and the $64,990 V6 FSI (220kW/350Nm 3.6-litre petrol).

Australian specification and pricing details will be revealed closer to the local launch of the 2012 Volkswagen Passat CC next year.

Alex

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Nugsdad

Alex your snoring woke me up

Phil

I bet that manual tranmission (in photo) won’t make it to Australia.

camaro

not many old Aussies want to drive manual cars.

Golfschwein

It looks like a nice place to be. I’m a fan of VW’s new straight cut look. For those tiring of it, it won’t last forever.

Jim Sim

I have to agree. That Passat CC really suits this new design. Best looking VW in a long time. IMHO of course.

Lucii Pooky

Jim Sim, your a legend! The fact you hate VW’s but can still say something nice about them is very good! Only if Bangle was more like you xD

Jim Sim

Haha thank you. Credit where credit is due. I dont descriminate over badges.

Grammar Nazi

I wish the world-wide motoring press would stop indulging manufacturers and stop calling the CLS/Passat CC/6-Series Gran Coupes of the world ‘four door coupes’. They are really just sedans.

Some marketing genius came up with the acronym SUV back in the day, and now we’re stuck with that.

Matty B

I’ve got no drama with term four door coupe. The term Coupe was derived from a french word meaning “to cut”. The term Coupe has been around since they were building stage coaches.
theillestlife

they’re called ‘four door coupes’ because they have the roofline to mimick a coupe. also, a sedan is known to have 5 seats, these have 4…

PoisonEagle

THAT’S better! There was something off about the original CC I didn’t like. This isn’t world beating but definately an improvement.

Steve

I like the current one better.

Darren

is this finally going to be available with 5 seat option, like Europe has with current model. It’s always been a good looking sedan, different to other common sedans, but only ever had the 4 seats here.

Come on VW Australia. Get your act together and bring the 5 seats here !!

Mr Gaspo

VW needs to bring this in as a 5 seater!
Kris

There has been a current model no cost option of a 5th seat instead of the rear centre console for a LONG time now.

Yui

I hope they don’t bring in the five seater as I don’t want to see families driving in my lovely coupe. Best car ever.

ChineseDriver

Lacking the characteristic of the original design.
Ox

Agree much nicer than the original
Able

I like the new rear but hate the new front. Why must all Volkswagens look the same at the front? It’s so boring! Having said that, I love my new Amarok Ultimate – it’s fantastic!

smokin’R32

Agreed, the rear is an imrovement but I much preferred the old front. The new front clip is derivative and boring

Harry

I think it looks nicer than that Lexus GS 350 F, front and back

http://www.honda.com.au Voumard

LOL nicer than the lexus, are you employed by VW?

Harry

I like the balance in the proportions of this Passat. The Lexus’s proportions are somehow wrong, the d pillar, the rear end in general and the way the rear wheel arch doesn’t seem to come up quite high enough into the body are just all somehow wrong. Plus I’m not a fan of the lights front and rear, and the front spoiler. So yes, I think the Passat does look nicer.

Qwety

It’s not nicer then Lexus LS, IS, ES

You cannot judge just by photos.. If a Lexus is parked next to this then believe me the Lexus will outclass it.. Interior is a different sory, I don’t wanna go there..

Qwety

*Story*

Grammar Nazi

An ‘R’ version of this with 4motion and a supercharged V6 would be nice.

f1worldchamp

The V6 version is the same engine as the last Passat R36 anyway.

Phil

Which also happens to be the same engine that is in the normal V6 Passat. Not that I think theres anything wrong with that, a engine option above that might appeal to some people.

crouchy

Rear end looks cleaner and much nicer than the old model.

Finally a car that hasnt been turned into a complete BORE by the new design language…
minorityrace

The previous V6 CC is a great car to drive, feels very sporty. Only downfall on that thing was its fuel economy – pretty average at best.
I wonder if this on will improve upon that.
Snoop

I don’t mind it.
The whole car design is in proportion.
Unfortunately the grill looks like a bit of an after thought.
Too big and sharp for the smooth headlights and bar detail.
gmh-bogan

Have the Skoda designers taken over at VW.ZZZZZZZZZZZZ.
theillestlife

I LOVE IT OMG
this is going to go to the top of my upgrade list!
http://nissan James Cortez

Compared to the S60 T6 Volvo, it’s overpriced. Check out the uK price and th eVolvo is higher
Pops

This is what alot of motoring press renders had predicted the new generation passat to look like. i.e passat to look more sporty than previous “dowdy” gen…..

So VW have managed to spoil both passat models now. CC should have more unique design element as per it’s 1st gen, i.e keep the scalloped headlights & curvy taillights (although I do agree they were too bulbous before).

2nd gen is too similar to the passat sedan. They have essentially stretched the sedan’s features to suit the 1st gen CCs proportions…. & kept the same doorskins to boot!
Hung Low

The ridge line down its side profile is a blatant copy of the Hyundai I45!
How sad and desperate!
The same money buys an F6 instead of this droopy looking bum dragger!

Lucii Pooky

The side of this hasn’t changed from the old one, so Hyundai copied VW. And an F6? Apples and Oranges. Id personally take an S60.

Hung Low

Just baiting the VW trolls re: I45!
I’ll go one better though, the ridge line and basic droopy profile was copied from an AU Falcon!

Yes the F6 another large 4 door or if you prefer the luxury look FPV GTE!

Lucii Pooky

No thanks Hung, ill take an EcoLPI G6E

Hung Low

I thought you would prefer the AU?

Golfschwein

Sen…SATIONAL!!! Your chronography’s as whacky as your car knowledge. The Passat CC surfaced at the Geneva show in March 08, complete with swage line (that’s what you call the scallop thing down the…sorry, a scallop is where you…oh, never mind) down the side and the i45 popped its head up in February 2010 with an exaggerated version of the same feature.

And do that thing again where you say that the Up! is a Swift in drag….that one gave us a laugh too.

I have to explain EVERYTHING!!!
Bangel

WHO in their right mind would want an F6 ,where talking quality here , not a pumped up taxi with no resale .

SHARP lokks and a magic interior , no ice cream container plastics here .

Hung Low

Forest Gump, there is a difference to real quality and perceived quality! Look it up! Yes this has nicer interior materials and finish but falls worlds short on performance, handling, steering, the FPV drives better will be more reliable has a better auto transmission and will have better resale!
VW is not renowned for reliability.
Reliability is a measure of real and true quality!
Saying that as scarce and new as Tiguans are on the roads, I seen the 2nd one in weeks with the bonnet up on the side of the road, must be the top notch quality!!

gti

I saw two Toyotas on tow trucks the other day. I guess the only thing bulletproof about Toyotas is their reputation.

Hung Low

How old were the Toyotas 20 or 30 years old? Like Pigfest harps on about with head gasket issues!

Bangel

FUNG we know which car will still be around in 2014 , i struggle to see any FPV on the road except lined up at the local dealer with $15k discount stickers , hows that for resale value , feel like a bogan jerk when you paid full price .

Friend just stepped into nice used benz E350 , absolutely done over with his 3 year old XR6 turbo with the trade , but it had to go ,juice sucking, boring drive and full of defects , in a word unreliable .

Alexander

Buddy not everybody is that tight that they buy a car purely because of its high resale value, some people just enjoy their cars and don care about resale.

Bangel

Dreaming again fung , why do VAG sales keep going up when their target market is higher socio groups , these are money people with a brain , if they were so unreliable , then sales would fall , word would spread pretty quickly .

The bonnet tales are hilarious , i cant remember last time i saw a late model car with bonnet up , old crummers and failcoons from the 90′s now and then .

No one listens to your tales of wo, spin doctor .

Captain Nemo

Ahh Bungel

You poor deluded soul owning a couple of cheap suits and pushing a pen in an office does not make you from a “higer socio group” as most VeeDud owners think. As for “money people with a brain” more like PT Barnum fans
anyone who pays $65K for this junk has rocks in their skull.
Bangel

CORPORAL zero/barry/fung/spent8 , actually dont own a suit , dont push a pen in an office .

I suppose your right $65k is too much when you consider the calais is probably going to be dicounted by $10k , this is where GM do their customers a diservice ,no wonder retained values are so bad on crummers .

DO tell us BARRY about all the passats you have to tow , and tales of ticking time bombs.
Hung Low

Higher socio groups? lol! More like brand conscious try hards making up for all other short falls in their lives! Its a VW ffs a generic brand! High sales means great marketing dumb ass, or that makes the Corolla one of the greatest production cars ever made!
And no fairy tale, I have seen 2 Tiguans stranded in a matter of weeks! LOL!
Bangel

Well fung you just answered your question , GET GM to pump more dollars into advertising the bogan mans car the crummer and sales will soar , oh dam it dont they alredy saturate you airwaves with tons jargon about going well or some stupid catch phrase .

So you are barry , notice its not the golf exploding now , poor tiguan is the latest VW FAILURE , man there sales must be falling hard .

David

I like this car, but it doesnt look much different from the 2011 model… My favorite part about it is that there is no Skoda to compete with it and burn my eyes… Good job VW group, now just bring it as a manual so us drivers can actually drive
gti

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. To me, this is an attractive car and I think vw have done a good job here.
G

Some of the lines especially around the door area and the interior remind me of Volvo. Looks alright regardless, not sure if I’m a fan of the big chrome grill though.
Boing Boing

Looks like a Ford….! The old one looks snazzier..this one…meh!
HJP

There’s nothing special of this car. I’ll pass.
steve

VW listen, why not a 5 seat option like you have in Europe, this would confirm a sale and expect a few more, even if it robs off the bland passat.
JEKYL & HYDE

i liked it until i saw the PRICE…omfg.
Vins

The grill looks cheap
Henry

I like the wheels!
My turn

I think you are nit picking what is a great looking car. If this had a Merc badge on it everyone would be quite accepting of it. VW have come a long way in the last 6 years, I think people should realise how spoilt we are internationally to have cars of this quality and design at this pricing level. In 2005 Merc could gave badged this and asked $150,000 on road and no one would have battered an eye. Now we get on comments sections and rubbish it??

A country of spoilt brats me’s thinks
Lukaas

65K for because of the European badge… most of its competitor are priced under 40K, similar specs too.

VW is really making a killing in Oz, milking the Euro snobs…. the V6 is 20K AUD overpriced….

Golfschwein

Let’s make it $44,990, then. For that, you get an engine that virtually goes head to head with a Calais at $48,290. In addition, you get all wheel drive, more standard equipment generally, an interior that’s way nicer than the Calais and some swings and roundabouts considerations vis-a-vis four seats versus five, interior room and so on. You sure about that twenty grand, Lukaas?
Bangel

FUNNY a calais V8 redline is $65k as is the VW , same figure 5.6s to 100 , fat holden is lugging an extra 200 kilo’s , but its worse because the CC is AWD which adds about 100 kilo’s , makes the crummer 2 fat bogans overweight .

CC beats it on economy and resale , nice AWD grip , i know which i would put in the driveway .

STP

$55k??? What a silly joke! For that kind of money I would expect my car to have a bit more grunt..

Phil

Best you buy American then. Plenty of grunty options….shame about their economy, interiors, handling etc etc.

My turn

I have read so many comments about price, comments referring to Calais and Ford and numerous other comments that leave me wondering how a motoring enthusiast site got hijacked by nuffies.

I dont like this car personally, I wouldn’t buy one but I can certainly appreciate it for the extreme value it represents in it’s respective segment. The closest competition in a 4 door 4 door euro coupe is Merc CLS350 at $175,000 or the Audi A7 at $150,000 and they have less features when fully optioned for $100,000 more.

For an enthusiast site I can’t believe how narrow minded most regulars are. I’m not a brand fanboy I just like cars, wouldn’t buy a euro but I cannot deny their superiority and I certainly wouldn’t embarrass myself and lower the IQ if other by comparing them to locally made vehicles
http://audi-a1.us Audi A1

That is smart, economy and very comfortable car. Really love VW cars and think that they are cheap, comfortable and very good looking. In all the cases I prefer this car-builder.