Volkswagen Passat CC 1.8 TSI

Nov 6 2008 Steve Hughes

IT was the best of cars. It was the worst of cars. It was a Volkswagen Passat CC.

As a sort of back-handed compliment I must say that it really looks spectacular, for a Volkswagen.

Not that there is anything wrong with Volkswagens. Just that, like the Phaeton luxury limo, they're not normally top drawer in terms of cutting-edge style and aspirational aesthetics.

The Phaeton may be a mechanical masterpiece, as indeed it is, but who on earth would willingly choose to pay £75,000 for one in preference to a Mercedes-Benz S-Class or an Audi A8?

The same could be true of the Passat CC but at just £21,000 the opposite is actually the case.

The styling is simply spot on. A very rare thing indeed. A perfectly proportioned car in every sense and from every angle.

Beauty is subjective of course but in my opinion this gorgeous coupe-style saloon succeeds in a way that even the similar Mercedes-Benz CLS does not. It is a veritable visual feast. A gem.

Inside, however, I was terribly disappointed. The choice of materials, the hardness of the plastics and the general ambience was more reminiscent of a Volkswagen of 1980s' vintage.

Colour and trim are everything in the case of a car like this, which transforms itself according to the combination chosen, so select wisely.

Then there is the engine choice, which on this model was the 1.8-litre petrol unit, which with turbocharging generates 158bhp and pulling power of 185lb/ft.

That translates into a 0-62mph acceleration time of 8.6 seconds and a top speed of 138mph with economy of 37.2mpg and a CO2 rating of 180g/km.

It costs £ 21,065 in comparison to £21,895 for the two-litre turbodiesel.

This generates 138bhp and pulling power of 236lb/ft. It takes 9.8 seconds to reach 60mph and has a top speed of 132mph. Economy is almost 50mpg and the CO2 figure falls to just 153g/km to drop it down from 23% to 20% for company car tax liability.

This makes the oil-burning Passat CC an exceedingly sensible company car choice and highly desirable on the second-hand market.

The additional pulling power over that of the petrol model is a welcome boost, especially when fully laden.

Despite its overall dimensions the Passat CC accommodates just two people in the rear and the swooped-down roof line means that head room is ultimately restricted.

Otherwise it is reasonably spacious with plenty of interior storage areas and a large boot, albeit with a loading aperture that is of only moderate proportions.

I was disappointed with the car's morbid interior and I do not think that the 1.8-litre petrol engine is best suited.

Choose the 2.0 TDI GT at £22,795 and you have a car that looks a million dollars and goes just as well as it looks.

Remove the disproportionately large Volkswagen badge from the grille and it could even pass for a Mercedes-Benz.

Like I said, a back-handed compliment.

FAST FACTS

Volkswagen Passat CC 1.8 TSI 4dr

Price : £21,065

Mechanical : 158bhp, 1,798cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox

Max speed : 138mph

0-62mph : 8.6 secs

Combined mpg : 37.2

Insurance group : 13

CO2 emissions : 180g/km

BiK rating : 23%

Warranty : 3yrs/ 60,000 miles, 3yrs paint, 12yrs anti-rust