Road Rage Remedy
Most Comfortable Cars: 2009 Volkswagen Passat CC
Offering Lane Assist, electronic chassis control and a park assist feature.
By Matt DeLorenzo
The Volkswagen Passat CC might be the so-called missing link between the regular Passat and the Mercedes S-Class-competing Phaeton, which had to be withdrawn from the U.S. market due to poor sales.
Slightly larger than the current Passat, the CC measures 188.8 in. overall, but true to its 4-door coupe styling, stands only 55.9 in. tall, 2.0 in. shorter than the standard model.
Although the Passat CC has fastback styling, is retains a conventional rear trunk. In keeping with the car's sporty nature, it has four bucket seating positions and a panoramic glass roof. European models will be equipped with a choice of 140 - or 170 - bhp 2.0-liter turbodiesels, while U.S. models will have a 200-bhp 2.0-liter direct-injection turbocharged four. An optional 3.6-liter V-6 will also be offered with standard all-wheel drive. In Europe, the V-6 will be rated at 300 bhp, while U.S. versions will produce 280. Among the new features offered on the car are Lane Assist, which unlike other lane-departure warning systems, will actually steer the car back on track; electronic chassis control; and a park assist feature that will automatically steer the vehicle into a parallel parking space.
