THE coupe-style four-door Volkswagen CC has arrived in Australia with a sleeker nose, different tail and technologically enhanced engines, but with an unchanged starting price of $54,990 for the 125TDI diesel.

Dropping the Passat prefix from its name for 2012, the pillarless four-door hardtop dubbed ‘a poor man’s Mercedes CLS’ receives a slew of previously optional equipment as standard to help spice up its showroom appeal.

These include satellite-navigation, a rear-view camera, a driver fatigue alert system, electric 12-way front seat adjustment, bi-Xenon high-intensity discharge headlights and higher-specification front seats with head restraints that pull forward as well as raise and lower for added comfort.

A three-seat rear bench seat replaces the previous contoured twin design and buyers choosing the ‘Active Climate Control’ front seat option with Nappa leather upholstery get a massage function.

Fresh package options include a Driver Assistance Package with blind-spot warning, lane-assist (using automatic steering prompts to keep the driver from straying) and radar-based adaptive cruise control with an emergency brake function at low urban speeds.

The dual-zone climate-control system boasts a new switch panel, while a two-tone dash panel is available, including walnut-style decorative wood inserts.

Other options include an ‘Ambient Lighting’ system with strips of illumination integrated into the doors and footwells, but only when paired with the walnut trim.

VW has improved the soundproofing, with acoustic windscreen glass, greater sound-absorbing material in the front, side and rear quarters, and better underbody material, resulting in noise reductions of several decibels.

Styling changes run deeper than first meet the eye.

In addition to the obvious new three-slat chrome grille, there are redesigned headlights with static and dynamic cornering capabilities, LED daytime-running lights, a different bonnet pressing, a restyled front bumper, revamped side sills, altered tail-lights and heavier use of chrome garnishing.

Dimensions are unchanged at 4799mm long, 1855mm wide, and 1421mm high, with a 2708mm wheelbase.

As in the preceding model, the new CC is offered in two drivetrain configurations.

In the base 125TDI, driving the front wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch transmission is a familiar 2.0-litre common-rail four-cylinder turbo-diesel that produces 125kW of power at 4200rpm and 350Nm of torque from 1750 to 2500rpm, pushing the car from 0-100km/h in 8.6 seconds.

Fitted with idle-stop as well as a ‘coasting’ system designed to save fuel, the Euro-V emissions standard diesel averages 5.7 litres per 100km and emits 150 grams per kilometre of carbon dioxide.

The more potent and $10,000 more expensive all-wheel-drive V6 FSI 4Motion features a 3.6-litre direct-injection petrol V6 engine that delivers 220kW at 6600rpm and 350Nm from 2400 to 5300rpm on 95 RON premium unleaded, sending power to all four wheels via a six-speed DSG transmission and a part-time Haldex system.

It may weigh 136kg more, but the V6 hits 100km/h point in just 5.6 seconds, at the expense of higher 9.7L/100km and 227g/km eco figures.

Both models include Volkswagen’s XDL electronic transverse differential lock for improved cornering ability.

Suspension still consists of MacPherson struts up front and a four-link arrangement in the rear, the rack-and-pinion steering system uses electrical assistance and the disc brakes are ventilated up front and solid at the back.

Changes include a new park-assist system that now includes ‘perpendicular’ as well as parallel parking, along with a braking, a 360-degree ‘bird’s eye’ perspective parking system display to enhance acoustic aids, and an ‘Easy Open’ boot-opening system that requires only a shake of a leg underneath the bumper to release the lid, which is handy when carrying shopping.

The split/fold rear backrest can be unlatched from the boot.

Both models have 18-inch alloy wheels, but of different designs, while 19-inch items are optional.

Australian-sourced CCs come from VW Group’s Emden factory in Germany, though for other markets the model is also made in Mexico and China.