2017 Volkswagen CC Wolfsburg Edition

The return of the VR6 brings back the once-lost glory that made the CC flourish.

by DoubleClutch.ca Staff | February 9, 2017

The Volkswagen Comfort Coupe, otherwise known as the CC, plays a special role among the VW family of vehicles. One can argue that it’s not the ideal option when looking for a commuter sedan as seating is realistically limited to just four occupants, even though it has five seatbelts. Others may argue the point that the coupé-based styling integrated into the four-door concept of a sedan is rather pleasing to the eye. Due to this design, rear seat passengers six-feet and taller will struggle to find any comfort, as the sloping roofline diminishes headroom with little leg room to spare. Minor shortcomings may not be a deal breaker per say, especially after considering what VW has done to make all our lives a little more exciting.

The 2017 Volkswagen CC Wolfsburg Edition is a unique trim package, bringing the VR6 motor into a more palatable price range. The 2017 CC also includes 4Motion all-wheel-drive as standard equipment across the board. Back when we were first introduced to the CC, we knew it as the Passat CC, a spin-off of Volkswagen’s handsome Passat (reviewed here). Available in two engine configurations, the base model having a 2.0-litre four cylinder TFSI motor and a larger V6 in upper trims. For 2016, Volkswagen Canada made the decision to scrap the V6 motor all together, leaving the CC as a four-banger front-wheel-drive car for one model year.

Somehow and someway, our prayers have been answered for 2017. The return of the VR6 brings back the once-lost glory that made the CC flourish. Not only is the V6 making a comeback, it is completely substituting the 2.0L engine altogether. This VR6 replacement manages to put out 280 horsepower at 6,200RPM and 265 lb-ft of torque at 2,750RPM – not too shabby if I say so myself. The motor combined with the six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic makes the CC feels decently sporty when under heavy acceleration. Shifts are not as responsive as that of the DSG dual-clutch, however this gearbox is decently responsive.

Acting as a cherry on top it all, Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system keeps the car planted in the right direction in slippery conditions. It’s added value considering we live in a part of the world that tends to freeze five months out of the year. To help save on fuel, 4Motion sends 100% of available torque to the front wheels under normal driving conditions. If road conditions or driving habits change, the system sends power to the wheel or wheels with the most grip, ensuring optimal traction.

The joy of the VR6 comes with at a cost. This motor is rated at 13.9L/100km city and 9.3L/100km on the highway, for an estimated combined rating closer to 11L/100km. During my test period, I reached a combined average of 11.8L/100km, with a fair split between city and highway driving. Premium fuel is required for maximum performance and efficiency, though the CC can get away with regular in a pinch.

The sporty disposition of the CC is paired with a nice balance of comfort, for excellent driving manners. Hammering the throttle propels the car forward in a spirited manner, while the independent front and rear sport suspension systems keep the car flat around a corner. It’s decently smooth too, so your body isn’t rattled by road imperfections. Whereas previous CCs were on the floaty side, the current car feels much tighter and responsive thanks to the rack and pinion steering setup, with electrical variable assist.

In terms of styling, the CC has not changed very much since its initial release back in 2008. It was given a slight redesign back in 2012, which facelifted many components on the exterior and interior. However, the overall look remains relatively unchanged, coming into its ninth production year. The car still looks the part of a premium sedan thanks to a sleek design that has aged well over the years. Our tester, the Wolfsburg Edition, was dressed in elegant Tungsten Silver Metallic paint, and was accented by chrome bits found around the body. The Wolfsburg is also easily identifiable by the signature badging found on the B-pillar on both sides of the vehicle. Adding to the coupe character are the frameless windows on all four doors.

The CC borrows a familiar set of wheels that were once associated with the Mark 6 Golf R (reviewed here). These 18” Talladega alloy wheels come fitted with P235/40R18 all-season tires. These wheels suit the car quite well, though it remains a little questionable that VW have opted to rehash old wheels on a newer car. Perhaps the team is more focused on working towards the forthcoming model. Bi-xenon headlights with Adaptive Front-light System (AFS), along with LED running lights and brake lights come as standard fare on the Wolfsburg.

An R-Line package with “Black Style” is available as a styling upgrade, giving the CC a more aggressive facade, inside and out. The exterior receives a new body kit, chrome slats in a gloss back front grill, R-Line badging, Deep Black Pearl mirror caps, and the chrome side mouldings are replaced with body coloured trim pieces. The cabin is fitted in carbon fiber trim with a piano black centre console, a panoramic sunroof, R-Line aluminium door sills, and an R-Line sport steering wheel. This R-Line package is $3,690 extra, but was not equipped on our test vehicle.

The interior certainly doesn’t disappoint, with Titan Black Nappa Leather seats that comfortably embrace the front passengers. A black headliner further emphasizes the feeling of luxury, along with an illuminated analog clock found on the dashboard. Brushed dark aluminium décor lines the centre console, dashboard and door panels, acting on the sporty nature of the CC. As they say, beauty with intelligence is a masterpiece painted on a napkin.

The CC Wolfsburg Edition comes fitted with a plethora of standard technology that includes 12-way power front seats with lumbar support and memory, Bluetooth connectivity, Climatronic dual-zone electronic climate control, cruise control, keyless entry with push button start, a 6.3” touchscreen display with proximity sensor, satellite navigation, blind spot assist and rear view camera. This system is also capable of handling Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, the latest in smartphone connectivity. A Dynaudio 600-watt digital sound system with ten speakers sounds great, too.

The 2017 Volkswagen CC Wolfsburg Edition comes with a base MSRP of $41,990, also the as-tested sticker for this car. The CC is overdue for a full redesign the keep up with the fast-paced competition. However, the decision to incorporate the VR6 engine with 4Motion, along with the immense amount of standard equipment improves the appeal of this car. The engine makes superb noises under acceleration, making it the exciting choice. This is the ideal car for someone looking to get into a luxury vehicle at a reasonable cost, especially if the regular passenger count is relatively low.