More efficiency for Volkswagen Passat CC

VOLKSWAGEN has applied efficiency measures including idle-stop and regenerative braking to its sleek Passat CC line-up, resulting in improved fuel consumption and a 10.6 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions.

The fuel and CO2-saving technologies are carried over from the re-skinned B7 Passat sedan and wagon range that rolled into Australian showrooms in April.

New items on the CC’s options list include lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control and collision-avoidance features such as ‘front assist’ and ‘city emergency braking’ also taken from the technology-packed B7.

The entry-level, front-wheel drive 125TDI receives both idle-stop and regenerative braking technologies, resulting in a 9.5 per cent reduction in fuel consumption to 5.7 litres per 100km.

CO2 output from its 2.0-litre diesel engine also drops, from 166 grams per kilometre to 150g/km, which VW claims makes it the most efficient and environmentally friendly Passat CC to date.



Unchanged peak power and torque outputs of 125kW and 350Nm continue to provide brisk acceleration from rest to 100 km/h in 8.6 seconds.

Idle-stop is not fitted to the all-wheel drive V6 FSI flagship, but regenerative braking alone is enough to reduce the 220kW/350Nm 3.6-litre petrol engine’s fuel consumption by 7.6 per cent, down to 9.7L/100km.

Carbon dioxide emissions drop from 254g/km to 226g/km while 0-100km/h acceleration remains a sprightly 5.6 seconds.

The updated B6 Passat-based four-door ‘Comfort Coupe’ is now on sale in Australia, prices remaining static at $54,990 for the diesel (an $11,000 premium over the equivalent sedan) and $64,990 for the petrol V6 (a $9000 premium).

Also staying the same in the CC’s first update are its looks, apart from an upgraded interior featuring chrome trim and a dash-mounted analogue clock.

Both Passat CC variants come standard with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, three-mode automatic suspension adjustment, panoramic glass roof, 18-inch alloy wheels, nappa leather upholstery and automatic headlights.

VW Australia has sold 297 Passat CCs so far this year, a year-to-date decrease of 16.1 per cent. Since it went on sale in February 2009, the model has averaged 76 sales per month, peaking at 120 in November 2009.

Volkswagen currently holds ninth position in the Australian sales charts with a 3.9 per cent market share, having sold 15,415 vehicles to the end of May – up six per cent and just 227 units behind eighth-placed Subaru.