VW continues roll-out at Detroit Show By MARLON HANSON Bumper to Bumper Texas Auto Writers Assoc Volkswagen announced they were beginning a drive to rival Toyota in worldwide sales last fall at the Frankfurt Auto Show. They tantilized us with the new Tiguan and said much more was on the way. The Tiguan, a stunning new SUV first came to the states at the Los Angeles Auto Show, where it wowed Angelinos and journalists alike.

They continued to evoke interest this January in Detroit where they brought their new Passat CC, a coupe with sedan access and functionality on stage. It seems only yesterday that I drove the new Tourareg and now I expect an invitation to test the Tiguan almost any day.

With the CC announcement that it will be for sale here later this year, I must anticipate that a CC ride and drive can’t be far away. It just looks like VW is right on target with the acceleration of those massive growth plans. The CC features a muscular shoulder line, which visually connects the front wheel wells to the taillights, providing the emotional and expressive stance of a sports coupé with the convenience of a sedan.

The CC will come standard in the U.S. with the 2.0 TSI engine with 200 horsepower and 207 lbs.-ft of torque. It will be available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed Tiptronic transmission. Those desiring more power can move up to a 3.6L FSI. This powerplant hides 80 more horses under the hood and enough torque to snap one’s neck if they are not ready when the driver puts the pedal to the metal. The six-speed Tiptronic transmission is standard with this model.

With an unmistakably Volkswagen nose, the grille sports two cross-struts and a centrally placed VW logo between trapezoidal headlamps. One will find three large air inlets and integrated turn signals and fog lights just below the grill and headlights. The lower air inlets are formed by a sporty spoiler that optimizes the highs peed downforce.  An indicator of the CC’s excellent overall aerodynamic qualities is its drag coefficient of cw 0.29.

The rear of the coupe is characteristically VW as well with large dual taillights which produce an unmistakable visual image both day and night. A rear spoiler – styled into the trunk lid – tames air turbulence and, like its counterpart at the front end, supplies greater downforce. The large rear window continues the coupe’s roof line, extending into the short but high-opening trunk lid. The styling makes the window appear even larger and the trunk lid even smaller.  It extends the look of the glass and underscores the dynamic character of the CC.

Newly developed for the CC is an electrically actuated Panorama power vent sunroof. The transparent roof is 29.5 inches long and 44 inches wide, covering the entire front area up to the B pillar.