Topic: First Drive: 2013 Volkswagen CC

[sailor723]

3.6L out of a V6 and you can't even break 280HP? So much for german engineering.

It's not just about horsepower. Refinement and "feel" are often as,if not more,important when it comes to cars in my opinion. We actually chose the 328 over a G37 largely because of this difference.

[aaronk]

3.6L out of a V6 and you can't even break 280HP? So much for german engineering.

It's not just about horsepower. Refinement and "feel" are often as,if not more,important when it comes to cars in my opinion. We actually chose the 328 over a G37 largely because of this difference.

True, and much harder to achieve. Big horsepower is relatively easy compared to making an engine refined, smooth and pleasant to drive. I've heard some of the VQ-cars can seem coarse, but haven't actually driven one.

[rrocket]

True, and much harder to achieve. Big horsepower is relatively easy compared to making an engine refined, smooth and pleasant to drive. I've heard some of the VQ-cars can seem coarse, but haven't actually driven one.

Coarse is overstating it I think.  I drove the 370Z..and I'd call it more "raw" feeling than coarse.

[Jaeger]

True, and much harder to achieve. Big horsepower is relatively easy compared to making an engine refined, smooth and pleasant to drive. I've heard some of the VQ-cars can seem coarse, but haven't actually driven one.

Coarse is overstating it I think.  I drove the 370Z..and I'd call it more "raw" feeling than coarse.

Agreed.  And difficult as it is for some to believe, others prefer that more raw, edgy sound to something that sounds like a neutered sewing machine. I have driven the G37 on more than one occasion and found it not only pleasant to drive, but hoot as well.  That whole "accelleration swell" bit may be marketing schtick, but it does aptly describe the grin-enducing way that power builds as the revs rise.  Sure, it's not ALL about hp (who said it was?) but 50 more ponies can't but help the hoot factor.

Jaeger

[rrocket]

I suppose if I compared it to my IS350, it would be "coarse".  But that's also because the NVH in a Lexus is nearly non-existent.

[mmret]

Designer of the original CC probably threw up when he saw the new corporate face transplant.

[EV Dan]

3.6L out of a V6 and you can't even break 280HP? So much for german engineering.

Yeah, even Chrysler's Pentastar 3.6 in some applications achieves over 300hp. I think VW group stopped investing in the V6 at some point in light of the future FE requirements. It's sad but V6 engines are a dying breed. Get one while you can

[greengs]

True, and much harder to achieve. Big horsepower is relatively easy compared to making an engine refined, smooth and pleasant to drive. I've heard some of the VQ-cars can seem coarse, but haven't actually driven one.

Coarse is overstating it I think.  I drove the 370Z..and I'd call it more "raw" feeling than coarse.

Agreed.  And difficult as it is for some to believe, others prefer that more raw, edgy sound to something that sounds like a neutered sewing machine. I have driven the G37 on more than one occasion and found it not only pleasant to drive, but hoot as well.  That whole "accelleration swell" bit may be marketing schtick, but it does aptly describe the grin-enducing way that power builds as the revs rise.  Sure, it's not ALL about hp (who said it was?) but 50 more ponies can't but help the hoot factor.

Jaeger

The way manufacturers rate power also plays a role as well as area under curve etc.  I remember listening to Infiniti bragging how they had a car with 28 more hp than 335i yet it was a lot slower.   

[robsaw]

The way manufacturers rate power also plays a role as well as area under curve etc.  I remember listening to Infiniti bragging how they had a car with 28 more hp than 335i yet it was a lot slower.   

Manufacturer's can only publish HP in accordance with the latest approved SAE standards, of course they can quote less if they want, but regardless, it is always peak HP and torque that are quoted which is only one discrete point of performance for each parameter.  As you say, what the curve looks like will influence how powerful the car feels in real life use along with transmission ratios/gear spreads.

[tazcubed]

<div style="text-align:left">

The stylish 2013 VW CC (Comfort Coup) features revised front and rear styling, more luxury features and new five-passenger seating.

<a href=http://www.autos.ca/first-drives/first-drive-2013-volkswagen-cc>Read More...</a></div>

After looking at a 2011 CC with the R-Line package, I think I'd pass on this version. This one looks way too generic for it's own good. They've taken probably the most pleasing of the "4-door coupe" designs on the market and sullied it for corporate generic "harmonization". The only thing I like in the new one is that it can accommodate 3 in the back.

[aaronk]

3.6L out of a V6 and you can't even break 280HP? So much for german engineering.

Yeah, even Chrysler's Pentastar 3.6 in some applications achieves over 300hp. I think VW group stopped investing in the V6 at some point in light of the future FE requirements. It's sad but V6 engines are a dying breed. Get one while you can

If I can get the same power out of a smaller, more efficient engine, why would I want one? I don't see the point. That's like stocking up on VHS because DVDs are coming out...

[cruzzer]

Great value for a very good looking German car. I agree with others that the front end isn't as nice as the current model. For $33k you could do a lot worse.

[Ace]

Hmmm, same snack bracket, I much prefer Audi's look inside and out.

[nlm]

excellent points aaron...as well, we aren't talking about 5.0L Ford V8's that were used in Mustang GTs in the early 90s that "only made" 225HP.

True, but it also had 280-290 lb/ft torque which didn't really get a big bump until the latest Coyote 5.0L.

[aaronk]

i was checking out the passat tdi, cc 2l turbo and gli, and the gli wasn't offered with xenons.  odd since the gti has them. 

This is interesting because I believe the previous-gen GLI did have them, as did the Jetta 2.0T Wolfsburg. Either way, many aftermarket lighting upgrades are available for those who truly feel it is required.

Xenon may look good but isn't a guarantee of better lighting performance. I remember a study a few years ago in a popular automotive magazine that compared headlight performance of almost every new car as part of a comparison. The halogens in several of the cars outperformed Xenon lights from luxury cars for distance and width. I have always found Toyota makes excellent lighting systems, and up until recently very few of their cars offered Xenon lights.

[vdk]

i was checking out the passat tdi, cc 2l turbo and gli, and the gli wasn't offered with xenons.  odd since the gti has them. 

This is interesting because I believe the previous-gen GLI did have them, as did the Jetta 2.0T Wolfsburg. Either way, many aftermarket lighting upgrades are available for those who truly feel it is required.

Xenon may look good but isn't a guarantee of better lighting performance. I remember a study a few years ago in a popular automotive magazine that compared headlight performance of almost every new car as part of a comparison. The halogens in several of the cars outperformed Xenon lights from luxury cars for distance and width. I have always found Toyota makes excellent lighting systems, and up until recently very few of their cars offered Xenon lights.

I'd never go back to halogens. The difference is.... 'night and day'.

[dirtyjeffer]

i find the projector style headlights on our ET are very good (compared to the regular lights used on our previous Focus), but i certainly wouldn't say that it would be a dealbreaker on a car purchase.

[mmret]

i was checking out the passat tdi, cc 2l turbo and gli, and the gli wasn't offered with xenons.  odd since the gti has them. 

This is interesting because I believe the previous-gen GLI did have them, as did the Jetta 2.0T Wolfsburg. Either way, many aftermarket lighting upgrades are available for those who truly feel it is required.

Xenon may look good but isn't a guarantee of better lighting performance. I remember a study a few years ago in a popular automotive magazine that compared headlight performance of almost every new car as part of a comparison. The halogens in several of the cars outperformed Xenon lights from luxury cars for distance and width. I have always found Toyota makes excellent lighting systems, and up until recently very few of their cars offered Xenon lights.

I'd never go back to halogens. The difference is.... 'night and day'.

Same. Xenons, properly done and not some terrible 8000K stuff in a halogen reflector housing, are a huge upgrade IMHO.

[tpl]

I would not go back to Halogens either

[Jaeger]

Bah - Xenon's are yesterday's news.  LEDs are the current hot ticket.

Jaeger