Long-term update: 2012 VW CC faster than we expected
We’ve had our V6-powered 2012 Volkswagen Passat CC for more than four months now. But it’s only today that we finally decided to take it out for a 0-100 kph flog. Truth be told, we always thought the CC was quick, but not that quick. But we were totally flabbergasted when the timings came in, so much so that we couldn’t wait to share it.
But first thing’s first. It needs to be said that we’ve had the VW since it was brand new, given to us with less than 500 km on the clock. We’ve taken care of it since then, respecting the break-in period, not driving in high-revving ‘sport’ mode all the time like some nincompoops, and using ‘Super 98’ petrol most of the time, even though the fuel-cap says it can handle ‘Special 95’ juice. We even got to drive it long enough to ‘train’ the computers in our style of driving, so we’ve had none of the weird throttle-delay and weird-shifting issues that hinder us in other European short-term test cars.
That said, our VW CC is not the basic 4-cylinder turbo front-wheel-drive model, but rather, the naturally-aspirated 3.6-litre “FSI” V6 model, complete with direct injection, 6-speed dual-clutch automanual gearbox and one of the best all-wheel-drive systems we’ve ever encountered.
The torquey 300 hp engine is deceptively docile in normal ‘drive’ mode, but springs to life when the transmission is slipped into ‘sport’ mode, holding low gears and revving till redline. The 350 Nm of torque peaks at only 2400 rpm, and stays that much all the way till 5300 rpm. There is never any shortage of juice with the 3.6-litre V6, even on highway overtaking, which is the weak point of the 2.0-litre turbo model. However, the buildup of power is so smooth that we always assumed this car is no faster than a Nissan Maxima, likely unable to break the 7-second barrier on the 0-100 kph run. But boy were we wrong.
The V6 also comes with an awesome proactive all-wheel-drive system, meaning there doesn’t need to be sandy wheelspin or wet weather for it to send power to the back wheels. It just sends power to each wheel based on what gives the best traction, even in dry weather. It is closer to the system on the Nissan GT-R than the crappy wheelspinning setup on the Lexus RX 350.
We finally took it out to a flat piece of tarmac to do a 0-100 kph run. We noted the outside temperature — 32 degrees Celsius, as indicated by the car’s gauges, and turned off the traction control, even though it makes little difference with all-wheel-drive. We slipped the shifter into “sport” mode, although we left the suspension in “comfort”, revved up to only 2000 rpm and let it rip.
We clocked in an astounding 0-100 kph time of 6.1 seconds. According to the manufacturer, it is capable of 5.6 seconds. Still, that’s faster than the Nissan Maxima. Hell, that’s faster than the VW Golf R, the Chrysler 300C, and the Chevrolet Camaro SS. You could still take it on with some other stalwarts, such as the Infiniti G37 or a Volvo S60 T6, but to truly beat it, you’d need a BMW 550i, Ford Mustang GT or a Porsche 911 GTS. And the best part is we could do it all day, and hardly lose anything in the rain as well.
Interestingly, the VW’s handling matches up to its sporting acceleration too, with insane grip levels and sharp suspension, let down somewhat only by its disconnected feedback from the steering and the brake pedal. But that’s forgivable, considering how exceedingly comfortable it is, more so than cars like the Infiniti M56 S.
As we said before, this is quite possibly the best midsize sedan we’ve ever driven at its price. If we weren’t shopping for a 4×4, we’d have bought this car off Volkswagen Middle East in a heartbeat.
Original Mileage When Borrowed: 435 km
Latest Mileage To Date: 11,420 km
Latest Average Fuel Economy: 10.6 litres/100 km
Cost of Latest Problems: Dhs 0
Cost of Latest Maintenance: Dhs 0Total Non-Fuel Running Cost Since Borrowed: Dhs 0
Comments
Mo
Mash, does this car come with the launch control feature? How does the engine sound? Thank you
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
I just looked it up, and it turns out the CC does have launch control. Maybe I should try it out again. There are no separate buttons for it.
Ironman
Hehe.. Mash, the steps you took before letting the car rip actually activates the launch control 😉
Traction control off, left leg on the brake, right leg on the accelerator pedal, engine revved up-to at-least 3000rpm, let go of the brake and punch the accey pedal. Launch control activated.
I have a Passat R36, would make for an interesting drag with your CC
Ironman
+ ….. the launch control feature works only in Sport or manual mode on the DSG gearbox
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Indeed, that is how it works. I am just wondering if I revved it high enough. If you hold the revs too long though, the fuel cuts off as a safety feature because it thinks you’re running away uncontrolled like a Toyota.
And the CC V6 is probably about the same as the R36, eh?
Ironman
Yep, the CC V6 and the R36 have identical power-trains however the CC feels more luxurious whereas the R36 has a more sportier appeal.
Russell
Great test and good to know that your results are not that different from what was achieved elsewhere. I own one of these cars and I have to admit it is fantastic to drive and concur completely with your assessment of the car. Hopefully, you will do more tests and give us an overall average. Great service thank you
CC
If the launch control was on it would’ve reached 4000RPM and stayed there until you let go of the brake pedal.
bavaria
my friend has one,we got a 5.4sec to 62mph!!! from a stock 2009 model without launch control.when he uploads it i will give you the link. mash if you started from 2000Rpm its why you got just a 6sec time hhh we tortured this car by doing dognuts,burnouts,drift nothing will happen to it trust me .
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
What did you measure it with?
bavaria
we used my mobile’s stopwatch but did it in great order just like a german…hhh
bavaria
we got 5.4 by starting at high rev , manual shifting , tc off.he argues he can do better with the spare tire off because it doesnt need the extra weight from it as its tires have an automatic self healing magic hhhhhhh
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
the thing is speedometers show speeds faster by 5-10%, and VWs are especially known for it. which is why stopwatch times are inaccurate.
bavaria
mash i have not heard about that and everyone from my friends to youtube vids does it like us . what do you measure it with ? and i have a ’11 Avalon which i got 6.8sec with but seen most american websites getting quicker than my time by 0.4seconds or even more with their Vmax or any other things they use
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
https://www.drivearabia.com/news/2012/03/24/why-we-get-slower-0-100-kph-acceleration-times-than-foreign-magazines/
bavaria
mash !!! I use Dynolicious too but on my iphone. and i just like to say that on Edmunds they got 6.8sec to 60 too (http://www.edmunds.com/toyota/avalon/2011/road-test-specs.html.my) speedo is in miles its American , theirs definetley is too .
bavaria
mash why you dont have a roadtest of Toyota Avalon ?
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
They don’t have on their press fleet.
viva
the CC just gets better , c’mon mash you cant find anything wrong with it so you say VW speedos show faster speeds ..hhhhh.. it doesnt but it sure feels slower at high speeds ..
royer
Buy a GPS now compare the speed, try your friends GPS again compare, there is speed difference to what manufacture claim and actual speed in almost all the cars.
CC
i dont think it differs , think about it if its different and you test two cars and one of them get 5secto60 and the other 5.5secto60 seperately . but if we have a drag race the 5.5secto60 wins or equals the other which never happened in my lifetime.i hope you got my point.and if you say the difference is very little then you answered urself.
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
royer is correct
max
i used a stopwatch with my Maxima and got 6.3sec. but all foreign reviewers got around 5.7
sec .
Mohammed
Great Review! Such a docile car, I own the R36 and they are very similar.
Jak
I’ve got a 2012 v6 cc love the feel of the everyday drive when I purchased this car I actually never knew it was this fast .. without launch I did 5.8 very low fuel in tank I then tried launch control settings into sports mode took off traction I run twice one starting around 3000rpm run a 5.6 second run 4000rpm run a 5.4 . My friend works with German cars he said he can make it around a sec faster by plugging in a somewhat computer I haven’t as yet will keep u posted …