29 Votes

Will The New Passat CC Become The Poor Man's CLS?

Agent009 submitted on 4/22/2008 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 11:42:49 AM

36 user comments | Category: Misc News | Source: | SOURCE: www.telegraph.co.uk

If you thought the VW Passat saloon was just a bit, well, worthy, then the new Passat CC is a stylish and luxurious alternative.

Assuming you require neither Pickfords' carrying capacity nor a family bus, then this "upper mid-range segment coupé" might not be an Audi, a BMW, or a Mercedes-Benz but it is a very stylish temptation. Its makers evidently hope that it will be seen as a poor man's Mercedes-Benz CLS. Although the CC name might suggest a metal-topped convertible, in this application it actually stands for "Comfort Coupé", so note first that the roof does not open.

This new version of the Passat has the right image and the right price range, but be wary of VW's claim that it offers space without compromise: anybody sitting in the back who is much over 6ft tall will find their head touching the roof. This is a bit unfortunate as the Passat CC is strictly a four-seater luxury car and is fitted inside with different seats and more costly materials than you'll find in the saloon. It is a genuine luxury car and quite a large one at that, 15ft 9in long yet only 4ft 9in high, with generous legroom and a surprisingly voluminous boot, albeit with a small opening. It may be based on the Passat saloon's platform but the CC is longer, wider and the body stands a full couple of inches lower.

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Will The New Passat CC Become The Poor Man's CLS?

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Yet another answer to a question no one asked.
— Hantra (View Profile)

Posted on 4/22/2008 12:03:24 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 14

more like yet another question you cared not to answer?
— Agent009 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/22/2008 12:47:01 PM | | Votes: -11

The real answer to the question is that it already is. But it depends on your definition of "poor". In today's economy the middle class has become poor by overextending themselves with credit purchases. Having said that, there is great value in this very special Passat and all classes are encouraged to buy it if funds permit.
— EnnNorak (View Profile)

Posted on 4/22/2008 7:46:27 PM | | Votes: 2

The Passat CC looks better than that ugly cls thing has ever, will ever, or could ever hope to look. They could reduce one to the price of the CC, and I'd still walk past it without a second glance, and head straight to the CC.
— tattedtwice (View Profile)

Posted on 4/22/2008 12:23:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

Until you learn how to spell bulldogs, not much chance anyone will assume you have a brain yourself.

Cheers!
— tattedtwice (View Profile)

Posted on 4/22/2008 2:32:50 PM | | Votes: -3

uhhh yea it is
— DROOPYSAKK (View Profile)

Posted on 4/22/2008 12:38:21 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

It almost looks like a CL in that picture.
— Anthony (View Profile)

Posted on 4/22/2008 12:44:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

It almost looks like a Chrysler Sebring, in that picture.
— Bmw8ter (View Profile)

Posted on 4/22/2008 2:14:20 PM | | Votes: -1

Well, yeah, the CLS is twice the price so it should be better at SOMETHING.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 4/22/2008 9:00:15 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

The CLS is UGLY and is already selling poorly. This CC will just take sales from the already weak selling Passat. VW has a long way to go in the US. This CC and CLS are truly the answer to a question nobody asked.
— lyonboy (View Profile)

Posted on 4/22/2008 1:06:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -5

If cheap is this good looking, then sure I'm buying it.
— Brembo (View Profile)

Posted on 4/22/2008 1:12:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

I do wish people stop referring a 4-door sedan as coupe. It's just sportier look sedan.
— Brembo (View Profile)

Posted on 4/22/2008 1:13:33 PM | | Votes: 5

Why couldn't you call it a coupe? Who ever said a coupe should be 2 doors?
— Heyhuub (View Profile)

Posted on 4/22/2008 1:28:43 PM | | Votes: 2

If you read Webster's definition of the word COUPE, it states: a 2-door automobile often seating only two persons.

So calling a 4-door automobile a coupe doesn't make sense.
— Ab311 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/22/2008 2:54:59 PM | | Votes: 5

"A coupé (French word from the verb couper to cut) or coupe is a car body style with a close-coupled interior offering either two seats or [[2+2 (car body style)|2+2]] seating (space for two passengers up front and for two occasional passengers in the rear). Through the 1950s convertible models were sometimes called convertible coupés, but since the 1960s the term coupé has generally been applied exclusively to fixed-roof models. Coupés generally, but not necessarily, have two doors, although automobile makers have offered four-door coupés and three- and five-door hatchback coupés, as well. Modern coupés generally have the styling feature of frameless doors, with the window glass sealing directly against a weather-strip on the main body.

The SAE distinguishes a coupé from a sedan (saloon) primarily by interior volume; SAE standard J1100 defines a coupé as a fixed-roof automobile with less than 33 ft³ (0.93 m³, 934 L) of rear interior volume. A car with a greater interior volume is technically a two-door sedan, not a coupé, even if it has only two doors. Some car manufacturers may nonetheless choose to use the word coupe or coupé to describe such a model, e.g., the Cadillac Coupe de Ville.

Alternatively, a coupe is distinguished from a two-door sedan by the lack of a "B" pillar to support the roof. Sedans have an "A" pillar forward at the windshield, a "B" pillar aft of the door, and a "C" pillar defining the aftermost roof support at the rear wind-screen. Thus with all side-windows down, a coupe would appear windowless from the "A" to the "C" pillars. These fixed-roof models are described as a hardtop. A sedan with all side-windows down would have a "B" pillar approximately mid-way to break the windowless appearance."
— minimalist (View Profile)

Posted on 4/22/2008 4:17:35 PM | | Votes: 3

if the CLS is such a horrible car, how in the hell did it spawn a new class that everyone is looking to compete in....see Panamera, Rapide, CS concept, now this CC.

As far as the CC is concerned, is it a poor man's CLS? Well its got a good look to it like the CLS but could have used more power. I hate to have a car that looks fast and sporty, but isnt.
— sholemon (View Profile)

Posted on 4/22/2008 1:52:22 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

Good question, I do not know why everyone is scurrying to copy the CLS when it has not been a good seller. The CLS to me is an E-Class with a cramped back seat, terrible visibly and odd looks.
— lyonboy (View Profile)

Posted on 4/22/2008 2:01:55 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

The CLS is an e-class with a cramped back seat. Literally. Its the chassis of eclass. That being said, I cannot say the looks are odd. I have thought these things are one of the coolest looking cars on the road since their debut. I would struggle to pay a 10k premium just to swap an eclass for cramped backseat interior though, just cuz i think it looks cool.
— sholemon (View Profile)

Posted on 4/22/2008 2:07:20 PM | | Votes: 3

I haven't been seeing any CLSs lately. I think it's like a fashion statement that people just got over. How are the sales going?

I like the look of the Passat CC, but I don't think it will sell much.
— M53R (View Profile)

Posted on 4/22/2008 2:44:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

At the end of the day its still a VW.. ;->

o_O
— EI34 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/22/2008 2:48:06 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

How many of you are there???
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 4/22/2008 9:02:04 PM | | Votes: 1

EL34, 43LE, EI34, 43IE... did I forget anyone?
— M53R (View Profile)

Posted on 4/23/2008 2:34:43 PM | | Votes: 1

WOW, nice from that angle
— 0to60 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/22/2008 3:06:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Even though the VW display was not crowded with people, this car stole the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. After seeing BMW and Mercedes, this car made more sense, had stunning looks and sophistication. I still think it will be unaffordable for most Americans as the American Dollar plummets. The Audi A5 at 50K seemed like a lot of car for the money as well although it will be pricey for the American market where people can get a Mustang with a V8 for a lot less.
The VW Phaeton was the best car I had seen at any show a few years back. I hear it will return next year but be downsized and cheapened, big mistake, this is a great way to Alienate budget buying Americans. Reduce the bells and whistles, to save cost, not Foot, leg and headroom. No one wants to a $50k car and not be able to take it on a vacation. No one wants a car where you can’t put luggage in the trunk. Also a car in the $50k range should be equipped with a full-sized, inflated spare, no exceptions.
— mercuryguy (View Profile)

Posted on 4/22/2008 3:26:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

I think I will wait for the VW Phaeton, or perhaps the Passat sedan with a Diesel and manual gearbox makes more sense.
— mercuryguy (View Profile)

Posted on 4/22/2008 3:30:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Way too expensive. If VW is going to try and move up into luxury segments, they need far more striking designs. This thing looks frumpy, and a four door coupe needs to be the opposite of frumpy.
— Kemic (View Profile)

Posted on 4/22/2008 4:22:34 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

If they plan to move up to the luxury segment, they need to take the honking great 'Flava-Flav' VW emblem off the front of the grill.

That is the reason the Phaeton never sold.

Yeah Boyeeeee!
— lewishamiltonpimp (View Profile)

Posted on 4/22/2008 6:02:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

This VW is a wonderful looking piece of art :-\
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/22/2008 8:40:53 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Probably
— nine (View Profile)

Posted on 4/22/2008 10:11:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

What is more important, the car, or the emblem?
— mercuryguy (View Profile)

Posted on 4/23/2008 2:19:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

why do all of these companies need to make these 4 door "coupes"? If they want to make a better looking sedan, why don't they just make a really sleek passat instead of trying to make a whole new model? The BMW CS sorta makes sense since it'll be more expensive an have truly unique styleing- it'll be a completely different car. But this seems to just be a really extensive body kit on a passat. who cares?
— kager911 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/23/2008 5:06:31 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

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Will The New Passat CC Become The Poor Man's CLS?

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