Volkswagen Middle East is ending 2008 with a remarkable regional launch of the Passat CC in Dubai. This sporty, dynamic car represents a brand new segment in the automobile industry combining the rationality of a saloon and the emotional appeal of a sports coupé, a first for the motoring world.
Launched with a special “Dining in the Dark” concept at The Palace Hotel, in Downtown Burj Dubai, the event was about abandoning vision in exchange for a new, multi sensual experience of the Passat CC in a literally pitch-black dining room. Guests experienced a world of sensitivity never witnessed before, through a journey of taste, sound and touch all in the dark. They enjoyed unexpected vivid performances, including acrobats in specially-designed light costumes, and an entertaining tap dance show. This was followed by the grand reveal of the new captivating Passat CC.
Iris Kraska, PR and Marketing Director of Volkswagen Middle East said, “The launch of the Passat CC in the region is a perfect ending of another successful year of Volkswagen Middle East. The car is a true recognition of style, dynamism and performance which can easily be distinguished once the driver sits behind the wheel. It is the first time that Volkswagen brings together a concept combining both a coupé philosophy with a practical saloon, incorporating the best of both worlds. The coupé design is echoed in its progressive performance-orientated and dynamic equipment programme and the saloon is achieved by its four door concept, its four fully sized seats and a significant level of interior variability.”
Kraska added: “The concept and design of the Passat CC defines fresh, new directions beyond the mainstream. Its fully independent body design, impressive powertrain systems and technological features worthy of the luxury class, meld together to create a unique vehicle that is one of a kind.”
Design and Dimensions
The four-door coupé measures 4,796 millimetres in length, which is 31 millimetres more than the classic Passat. With a width of 1,856 millimetres (an extra 36 millimetres), the Passat CC already ranges in the competitive field of the upper mid-class. Similar to its width, its track width dimensions were also modified. In front it is 1,553 millimetres (an extra 11 millimetres), and in the rear 1,557 millimetres (an extra 16 millimetres). The new Volkswagen measures just 1,420 millimetres in height (lowered by 50 millimetres) – very sports car like.
Interior
The Passat CC is a pure four-seater. The coupé philosophy is reflected in the interior in this seat layout too. Both in front and in the rear, ergonomically designed sport seats of the highest calibre are used.
The cockpit design of the classic Passat is already considered exceptionally sporty, elegant and high-end. Newly conceptualised were the entire rear seating area, the instruments, control of the standard climate control system, the steering wheels that are offered and door trim including accent strips. Available options here include accents in genuine wood and newly developed applications of brushed aluminum. Upon request a newly designed ambiance lighting system on the doors, called “ambiance package,” gives the interior an especially pleasant lighting ambiance at night.
A total of three leather sport steering wheels are available for the Passat CC. Depending on the version, the multifunction keys in the steering wheel can be used to control the trip computer, various assistance systems, the audio systems and telephone.
The Passat CC is being offered with a new generation radio and navigation system. Features of the top version – the RNS 510 – include intuitive touchscreen control and a hard-disk supported navigation system. In conjunction with the “Rear Assist” parking assistance system, when driving in reverse, images of the surroundings behind the Passat CC are transmitted to the screen from a rearview camera.
Newly developed is a climate control feature which provides active ventilation of the seat and seatback surfaces, improving comfort considerably. About 320 litres of air are exchanged per minute here using ventilation fan motors that are particularly silent. Also newly developed for the Passat CC is an electrically activated Panorama vent sunroof. The transparent roof is 750 millimetres long and 1,120 millimetres wide.
Driving Dynamics
The Passat CC is a progressive technological platform with innovative assistance and driving dynamics systems. These include world firsts in the “Lane Assist” lane keeping system and the “Dynamic Drive Control” electronic chassis control system. No less innovative is the “Park Assist” parking assistant and “ACC Automatic Distance Control” with stopping distance reducing “Front Assist”.
“Lane Assist”: This active lane keeping system on the Passat CC is unique worldwide in this vehicle class. “Lane Assist” detects lane markings via a camera in the vicinity of the inside mirror or rain sensor. It automatically counter-steers as soon as the Passat CC leaves its lane unintentionally; a genuine gain in convenience and safety. The system is activated via the multifunctional display on the Passat CC. The driver can “override” the “Lane Assist” steering with little force. The lane keeping assistant does not react when the driver activates the turn signal before crossing over a lane marker either.
“Dynamic Drive Control”: The car’s new “Dynamic Drive Control” (DDC) chassis control system combines the sportiness of a coupé and the comfort of a top sedan in one car. In parallel to tuning off the suspension’s damping characteristic, the power steering system is controlled too. “DDC” offers three programs “Normal”, “Sport” and “Comfort”. Decisive here is the fact that “DDC” improves comfort and dynamic properties in the “Normal” mode too – and therefore full-time. The suspension constantly adapts to the roadway and driving situation. “DCC” also reacts to acceleration, braking and steering inputs. This resolves the conflict in objectives between a stiff sporty suspension and a comfortable suspension.
“Park Assist”: Another high-end technology is the “Park Assist” parking assistance system. It automatically guides the Passat CC into a parking space at the push of a button. The driver no longer needs to steer in this case, but instead just accelerates and brakes.
“ACC Automatic Distance Control”: When “ACC” is activated, the Passat CC automatically brakes and accelerates within a speed range input by the car driver beforehand. Thanks to “Front Assist”, the system also avoids frontal collisions. It uses a radar sensor to monitor the distance to the vehicle ahead of the Passat CC. In advance of certain situations, “Front Assist” preventively places the brakes in a preconditioned state, thereby performing a stopping distance reduction function.
Other technological systems featured in the Passat CC include the Mobility Tire System. From a statistical viewpoint car drivers experience a flat tire every 100,000 kilometers. On the Passat CC with “Mobility Tires”, it is estimated that this value could be increased to 500,000 kilometers, since a highly flexible rubber mixture encapsulates the penetrating object and keeps the tire sealed - also after its removal. In addition to this there are up to eight airbags, ESP electronic stabilisation program and an extremely high-strength body.
Engines and Transmissions
Volkswagen will be offering the Passat CC exclusively with highly advanced direct injection engines in the Middle East.
1.8 TSI with 160 hp
A TSI engine with power output of 118 kW / 160 hp (at 5,000 rpm) offers entry into the world of the Passat CC. The turbocharged four-cylinder is exceptionally fuel efficient (average fuel consumption: 7.6 litres/100 km) and torque strong (maximal 250 Newton-metre at just 1,500 rpm). With this new engine, the Passat CC reaches a speed of 100 km/h in 8.6 seconds; its top speed is 222 km/h. This TSI is shifted via a manual six-speed transmission as standard equipment; as an option it can be combined with a completely newly developed 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DSG).
2.0 TSI with 200 hp
At the next power level a 147 kW / 200 hp (at 5,100 rpm) strong TSI is used. It too has a turbocharger, and it too shines with very good torque and fuel economy values. Over 100 kilometres this 280 Newton-metre (starting at 1,700 rpm) strong four-cylinder consumes just 7.9 litres of fuel. Despite this, it offers a top speed of 237 km/h. The Passat CC with this engine handles the sprint to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds. As an alternative to the standard manual six-speed transmission, a six-speed automatic is available here.
The new Passat CC is now available at all Volkswagen partners throughout the region.
