Volkswagen CC R-Line

SPECIFICATIONS

1. The VW CC is a four-door coupe which starts at $30,965, and costs $41,835 for the top-model with a V6 and AWD. 2. Base models use a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 201 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. A V6 is available, which makes 280 hp and 268 lb-ft of torque. 3. The EPA rates the four-cylinder CC at 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway, while the V6 model earns 17 mpg in the city and 27 mpg combined. 4. Our tester featured the flashy R-Line package which added a body kit, 18-inch wheels and R-line badging.

PREVIEW

Among the range of currently available mid-size sedans, the 2013 Volkswagen CC presents a stylish, albeit expensive option. Dripping with natural beauty, its single largest flaw is that it might be too expensive for its segment.

Most automakers offer a mid-size sedan. They’re comfortable, spacious and soft on the road. Volkswagen took a different path by also offering  a heavily styled version of its mid-size Passat sedan and calling it the CC (Cross-Coupe).

Was it a wise decision? Once you take a look at the CC it’s hard to disagree with VW’s vision. The car is gorgeous; especially with unique paint-finishes including the as-tested black-oak brown. Discarding notions that a mid-size must be succeeded by something larger, the CC has smaller proportions and a sportier focus than its Passat sibling. Count the Buick Regal, Lincoln MKZ and maybe even the Acura TSX among its competitors.

The R-Line package dresses up the CC with extras inside and out. A full body kit is included and adds a bit of sporty aggression to the CC’s sexy, toned look. It also includes a set of 18-inch wheels, and additional badging in the grille and side-sills. It certainly has the looks to compete in the near-luxury class, and with it’s swept-back roofline the CC is one of, if not the, best looking mid-size sedan in its price range. As nice as it is to park a pretty car in your driveway, sexy sheet metal can only go so far.

INTERIOR

The interior is as special as the exterior, although VW deserves some scolding for hard plastic pieces around the door-handles and center console.

You might not even notice because they’ve been cleverly disguised as luxurious materials, and don’t detract from the overall look of the cabin. While some of the interior beauty is just skin deep, the seats certainly aren’t. Plush, supportive and adjustable, the CC’s buckets feel as good as they look.

Three passengers can sit in the rear, although that’s strictly speaking in terms of seatbelts. Look at the color-contrasted leather inserts for a better indication of what VW means for passenger capacity.

Unfortunately, the CC offers less rear-seat leg and headroom than the cheaper Passat. Cargo space in the CC is on par with the rest of its competition. Skip this car if you’re frequently ferrying more than one adult passenger on long trips.

UNDER THE HOOD

If that isn’t the case, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the four-door coupe. It’s still as practical as a sedan, and professional feeling like a luxury car. The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine makes 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. That might not sound like anything special, but pair it with Volkswagen’s quick-shifting dual-clutch automatic and you’ll be surprised how well this car moves.

Wheel-mounted paddle shifters make manual mode fun to play with, and a sport mode prompts the transmission to hold gears in high revs. If you’d rather not waste gas, tap the right paddle until sixth gear, where the car is the smoothest and most efficient. After a week of testing, the CC returned 23 mpg - not far off the EPA’s 25 mpg combined figure. The powertrain is brilliant, and there’s also a six-speed manual if you prefer to row your own.

The CC also rewards drivers with its handling and suspension. The flat-bottomed steering wheel is responsive and offers reasonable feedback for an electric power steering setup. The suspension is firm without being too stiff, and feels like an Audi product despite using different suspension components.

Tech options in the CC are passable, but leave a lot to be desired. Other, more affordable mid-size sedans offer features like adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring, both of which the CC R-Line does without. That might not be a deal breaker for everyone, but it could be enough to send some customers packing.

On the positive side, the bi-xenon headlights ensure that you’ll see what’s ahead in the dark, and it’s brilliant corner illumination is impressive to say the least. Steering wheel-mounted buttons let the driver navigate through phone contacts and place a call without arguing with a voice command system. It’s a real plus with noisy passengers aboard.

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Volkswagen Beetle Convertible

SPECIFICATIONS

1. The 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible ‘70s Edition is only offered in one color, the exclusive “Toffee Brown.” 2. The only engine available in the ‘70s Edition Beetle is a 2.5L 5-cylinder with 170 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. 3. The car is rated at 21 MPG city and 27 highway, figures that result in a combined score of 23 MPG. 4. Base price is around $29,000, about three grand more than a non-‘70s base model.

PREVIEW

Volkswagen introduced the “new” Beetle back in 1997. It was a modern take on their iconic bug.

The reinvented small car ditched its rear-mounted, air-cooled engine in favor of liquid-filled powerplants installed in ahead of the passenger compartment. There were other sweeping changes as well, particularly in the design department. The reborn model featured an overly curvaceous body that was essentially a characterture of the original. For many customers it was far too cutesy and compact two-door soon became the quintessential “chick car.”

Fast forward to 2011 and Vee-Dub introduced a new version of the “new” Beetle, one with appreciably more masculine styling. Now, guys probably haven’t been flocking to it like seagulls congregating around a dump truck full of croutons, but at least the embarrassment factor has been tremendously reduced, especially if the car’s got those killer retro-styled hubcaps that look like they came straight out of the 1950s.

But what about the Beetle convertible? Is it a safe option for men or is it still the ovarian overload? We put a special version of the car through its paces for a week to find out.

EXTERIOR

The model provided for evaluation was a limited-production version called the ‘70s Edition. Since it pays homage to the grooviest decade of the 20th century it was painted a disco-approved color. The Vee-Dub was slathered in sparkly “Toffee Brown” paint that made it appear as if it had been dunked in milk chocolate tainted with aluminum filings.

Furthering the retro look are those special 18-inch alloy wheels and chrome-clad side-view mirrors. The beige ragtop is also decidedly old-school, but its performance is thoroughly modern. It lifts or lowers in all of 10 seconds. A supplemental cover clips on over the folded top making everything look neat and tidy; OCD motorists will love it, though they probably hate wind in their hair so it really doesn’t matter.This sepia hue is the only color available on the ‘70s special, so if you want something else you’re going to have to get another model or fix it yourself, just don’t reach for a gallon of Glidden.

INTERIOR

The Beetle’s interior is exactly what you’d expect from a reasonably priced C-Segment car. It constructed almost exclusively of hard plastic, but it’s nicely textured and doesn’t look blatantly cheap. Assembly quality is more precise than a Starrett micrometer.

Adding a dash of personality to an otherwise straightforward cockpit, designers opted to carry the Beetle’s exterior color throughout the interior. Large painted pieces run across the door panels, dashboard and steering wheel, adding a dash of fun, especially if you’ve opted for an exuberant color. Floppy woven door pockets seem out of place in an otherwise well-sorted interior.

The seats are trimmed in fairly convincing imitation leather that’s attractively grained and feels nice to the touch; VW calls it “V-Tex leatherette.” It’s probably a better material choice for an open-air car than the genuine article. If the top ever leaks or gets left down during a rainstorm the vinyl will repel water, not suck it up like a chamois.At first, dual glove boxes make it look like you’ve hit the storage mother lode, but in truth they’re a bit misleading. The lower unit is as you’d expect: wide, deep and commodious. But the upper one is something of a bait and switch. It’s got a fairly large door but is only roomy enough for a pair of eyeglass cases or a pack of kosher hotdogs. Pack accordingly; trunk space is limited as well.Another plus is connectivity. Pairing a phone with the car’s Bluetooth system takes about 30 seconds; the navigation system is just as easy to use.Moving from the seats to the center stack Volkswagen’s navigation system is a strange blend of old and new. The display is fully touch-enabled, responding to your every push, poke and prod, but augmenting its modern pressure-sensitive screen are hard buttons and a small control knob. It’s an interesting blend of digital and analogue that actually works pretty well. The buttons can be used to control some of the on-screen functions.

UNDER THE HOOD

Buyers opting for this special version of the Beetle will be disappointed by what’s under the hood. The only engine available is a 2.5-liter five-cylinder. It puts out a mediocre 170 horsepower with a torque peak of 177 lb-ft.

In addition to modest output numbers it also delivers a devastating duet of noise and vibration. The engine broadcasts a hoarse, sickly moan during acceleration; it’s an off-kilter thrum that’s more of a killjoy than finding out your girlfriend is neither a friend nor a girl. It also feels grittier than a bucket of crushed glass poured down the front of your boxers. Stay away from this engine, far away.

The ‘70s Beetle is also limited in another area. Other versions of the car can be had with a Gatling gun-fast dual-clutch automatic or even a proper six-speed manual. But this retro-themed model is saddled exclusively with a run-of-the-mill six-gear auto-box. It makes the most of the engine’s output, but it can only do so much. It’s a good transmission but its partner should be serving concurrent life sentences at the bottom of a manmade lake, which is convenient because the company just announced it’s scrapping the dreadful five-banger. Say a prayer to whatever sky deity you may or may not worship; this is great news for customers.

Back to reality, fuel economy is another one of the engine’s downsides; it’s something that makes the powertrain situation even glummer. The car is slated to deliver 21 miles per gallon city and 27 highway, figures that result in a combined score of 23 MPG, a number we nailed in real-world use, though to be fair we were weeping all the way.

Thankfully the Beetle’s powertrain situation is not all bad news. A super-efficient TDI diesel is on the menu as is a smooth and powerful 2.0-liter turbo. The former delivers up to 41 MPG highway, the later a spunky 200 horsepower. If you want a Beetle do yourself a favor and get one of these engines.

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Volkswagen Scirocco R

SPECIFICATIONS

1. Scirocco R’s are powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers 265 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. 2. Two different six-speed transmissions are available, either a traditional manual or a lightning-fast dual-clutch automatic. 3. The 2013 Volkswagen Scirocco R is available with an optional Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) system that allows the driver to change how the car behaves on the road. 4. Base price for an entry level Scirocco is about 24,000 €, though the one provided to AutoGuide for testing cost roughly $51,000!

PREVIEW

Volkswagen has a knack for going with the weirdest names in the automotive business. Its fellow German companies typically adhere to alphanumeric nomenclatures, think 3 Series, S-Class and A6. But not Volkswagen; they prefer a totally different strategy, which results in products like Touareg, Passat and Tiguan.

Thankfully for the folks in Wolfsburg a good vehicle can nullify a strange name, and one of their most exciting products carries a Duesy of a title. The Scirocco is a sporty two-door hatchback that’s named after a desert wind of all things, a sultry breeze that blusters its way out of the Sahara. Is this VW as hot as the air current it’s named after or is it just another wannabe sports car?

EXTERIOR

The Scirocco is an entertaining small car with a killer body and performance to match, especially in “R” guise. It features a scowling face, low roofline and tinted back windows, but those rear fenders are probably its signature feature. They’re shapely and pronounced, sticking out like a couple of elbows. The Scirocco’s exterior design is tighter than Jessica Alba’s clenched butt cheeks and every bit as eye catching.

 

The current car was introduced to European customers back in 2009, where it’s still on sale today. Decades ago the boxy second-generation Scirocco was offered in North America but that’s no longer the case. The test model provided to AutoGuide was a straight-up Euro model registered in Germany.

Comparisons between Volkswagen’s other performance stalwart, the GTI, are obvious. In reality there’s no comparison because the Scirocco wins by a mile when it comes to coolness. ‘Roccos are almost 3 inches lower, 1.3 inches longer and nearly 2 inches wider than a U.S.-spec GTI. Regrettably they’re also about 90 pounds heavier, but you can’t win ‘em all.

INTERIOR

The Scirocco’s design flair fades slightly once you slide inside, if only just. The overall layout is similar to other people’s car models like the GTI hatchback and Eos hardtop convertible. In many ways this is an asset because passengers are treated to premium materials and high-quality switchgear. But still, something slightly different might have been nice, especially since the ‘Rocco’s exterior is so exuberant.

Low-gloss, squishy-soft plastics abound. The headliner is of the woven variety and is unusually plush to the touch. Textured aluminum trim dresses up the dashboard while shiny black accents add some pizzazz to the door panels.

The seats are trimmed in cool-looking cloth. The two-tone setup features a light-gray suede-like material as well as grippy “Kyalami” fabric that holds you in place like an eagle’s talons.Aiding the driver is a simple instrument cluster. All the numbers are clearly printed in a highly legible font, while standout blue pointers indicate what’s going on. If this test car’s German front license plate didn’t betray its heritage the gauges surely did. The speedometer is in kilometers per hour. Thankfully good ole’ MPH is shown in the centrally mounted digital display, which prevents distracting mental math while underway.

Against all odds the Scirocco actually has a usable back seat; real adults can ride in real comfort. There are surprising amounts of head and legroom with seating for two passengers. Another nice touch is the aft noggin-rests, which are open in the middle, maximizing the view out the small rear window.

UNDER THE HOOD

Beneath the Scirocco’s low, sloping hood rests a familiar piece of hardware. Volkswagen’s turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder is an impressive little engine. In one form or another it powers everything from the GTI hatchback to the Tiguan crossover to Audi’s luxurious A4 sedan, delivering a splendid combination of performance and fuel economy. Exemplary refinement is an added benefit and the engine is creamier than Reddi-Whip straight out of the can. But like any good story there’s a twist.

Scirocco R’s get a special version of this 1,984-cc powerplant. Naturally the EA211 variant features direct fuel injection and an exhaust-driven blower, but engineers really cranked up the burner and now the pot is about to boil over. Horsepower clocks in at an imposing 265 while the abundance of torque threatens to convert the drivetrain’s innards from functioning components into metallic confetti. A total of 258 lb-ft of twist are on tap from just 2,500 RPM. These are hefty increases compared to the 200 ponies available in VW’s standard-issue GTI.

This is the sort of car that doesn’t just encourage delinquent behavior; it demands it. If you’re not paying attention you’ll find yourself doing 50 miles an hour in a 35-zone, on-duty constabulary be-damned. The Scirocco R keeps nudging you to go a little bit faster, a little bit faster; it wants to run and you constantly have to keep it in check.

When it comes to sprinting it’s estimated the car will rocket from zero to 100 kilometers an hour (62 miles an hour) in just 5.8 seconds. Top speed is 155 MPH.The exhaust system only exacerbates the temptation to bolt like a fugitive. During throttle-laden up-shifts it thumps like a potato launcher, barking through the car’s duet of generously portioned outlets punctuating the rear valence. Their shiny steel is mildly discolored from heat.

The car is offered with one of two six-speed transmissions. A proper manual is available, as is a technologically advanced dual-clutch automatic. The tester provided to AutoGuide features Volkswagen’s instantaneous DSG self-shifter. It’s like warp-drive from Star Trek, changing gears faster than a woman changes her mind. All that’s missing is Captain Picard saying “Engage!”

All told something like eight different engines and three separate transmissions are on offer to Scirocco customers. The lineup included thrifty, small-displacement gasoline powerplants and torque-rich diesels. When it comes to efficiency we didn’t do too badly with the R model. Driven with enthusiasm, or as much enthusiasm as we dared, the car averaged more than 24 miles per gallon; handled sensibly that figure grew to 27.

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2014 Volkswagen Jetta SEL

SPECIFICATIONS

1. A new 1.8L turbo four-cylinder makes 170 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. 2. Transmission choices for the 1.8 are a five-speed manual and a six-speed automatic. 3. Fuel economy is officially rated at 25 mpg city and 36 mpg. We averaged 28.9 mpg during our week with the car. 4. Pricing starts at $17,540. The as-tested SEL model costs $26,410 including delivery.

PREVIEW

Things are not going as planned for Volkswagen right now. After a year of incredible growth in 2012, sales slid for the majority of 2013. Like an underperforming pro sports team when things aren’t going right, a shake-up of some sort is in order.

Although it may appear to be the same as the 2013 Jetta at first glance, the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta has received a couple of significant changes under the skin. The biggest news for 2014 is that the unloved 2.5-liter five cylinder engine has finally been put out to pasture. Its replacement is a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder unit slowly creeping into more and more VW products.

INTERIOR

Some don’t like Volkswagen’s MIB infotainment unit and will be happy to hear it is being phased out for the new Carnet system. I however have always liked the MIB system. It’s easy to use, well laid out and the satellite radio presets allow me to see what song is playing on another channel without having to actually change over to that station. Of course, the Fender stereo is still one of the best sounding systems in this segment.

But the real party piece with the Jetta is space. Measuring as large as mid-size cars did not too long ago, the Jetta offers a massive 38.1 inches of rear legroom and a monstrous 15.5 cu Ft trunk. Thanks to the boxy shape, headroom is ample for backseat passengers and driver sightlines are great all around.

UNDER THE HOOD

The new engine makes the same 170 hp as the old five pot did, but torque has been bumped up a bit to 184 lb-ft. More importantly, that torque is now available at a much lower 1,500 rpm. Carried over from the old engine are two transmission choices, a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic gearbox. However, stepping up to higher trimmed Jettas like our SEL test model means the only transmission available is the automatic. The sportier GLI model offers a six-speed manual or a six-speed dual clutch automatic as do the diesel models.

Volkswagen has long been producing turbocharged four bangers and it shows. The engine is smooth, refined and lacking any turbo lag; the latter thanks in part to the engine not being attached to Volkswagen’s dual clutch transmission. The new 1.8-liter turbo behaves a lot like the TDI diesel. There is a lot of low end torque and the transmission is quick to up upshift at a lower than expected rpm. As well, like any good Volkswagen, the 1.8 liter feels far more powerful than the claimed 170 hp, a fact exaggerated by the Jetta’s relatively low curb weight of just over 3,100 lbs.

As should be expected, the downsized engine achieves better fuel economy with city ratings improving by one mpg to 25 and highway ratings increasing by five mpg to 36. During our week with the car temperatures remained below freezing, but our winter tire equipped Jetta still returned a decent 28.9 mpg average.

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