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As introduction to Volkswagen CC, the 4-door coupe version of Volkswagen Passat is facelifted in third quarter of 2012 in Malaysia. It is now known as CC instead of Passat CC.

Previously, the pre-facelift model of Passat CC in Malaysia is powered by 200PS 2.0-litre TSI engine. After the facelift, the CC is now powered by 160PS 1.8-litre TSI engine instead. Is the engines between 160PS 1.8-litre and 200PS 2.0-litre makes a difference? The answer is yes, in both performance and fuel efficiency.

General speaking, Volkswagen CC is similar to Passat B7 besides having a sleeker and dynamic body styling. For Malaysian market, Volkswagen introduces two variants for CC – 1.8 TSI ‘Comfortline’ and 1.8 TSI ‘Sportline’. Apart from that, the CC is added with Adaptive Chassis Control and dual electric adjustable front seats comparing to the Passat. In addition, the CC share a similar cockpit design with the Passat.

The power plant of the Volkswagen CC 1.8 TSI fitted with a combination of 160PS 1.8-litre TSI EA888 engine and 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG). The Volkswagen CC is compatible with RON95 unleaded fuel and capable to fill up to 70 litres within a single tank. Although the Volkswagen Passat B7 1.8 TSI is locally assembled in Malaysia, but the CC is still fully imported from Germany.

Based on the spec sheet, the CC is claimed to be capable to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 8.5 seconds. However, I can feel the CC is a little heavier comparing to the Passat B7 1.8 TSI, especially at the low range. The kerb weight for CC 1.8 TSI is 1,521kg, while 1,517kg for Passat 1.8 TSI B7. Somehow, the unconvincing performance must be something to do with the extra weight and tiny 1.8 engine. Personally, I preferred the Passat B7 1.8 TSI more.

The Volkswagen CC ‘Sportline’ is upgraded from ‘Comfortline’ with brushed dark alumimium decorative inserts for dashboard and door trim panels, upgraded in-car entertainment with DYNAUDIO ‘Confidence’ 10 speakers and 600W premium sound system, ‘Interlagos’ 8J x 18” alloy wheels with self-sealing tyres 235/40 R18, panoramic tilting glass roof, ‘KESSY’ keyless entry and starting system, and ‘Rear Assist’ rear view camera.

The Volkswagen CC ‘Comfortline’ is fitted with 235/45 R17, while the ‘Sportline’ with 235/40 R18. Basically, the width and rims offset are the same but the rims are 1-inch larger in diameter.

Drawback? I found this 4-door coupe doesn’t come with any roof handles at all corners and the rear headroom is pretty tight as well. Perhaps this is due to its low roofing design.

Do check out the photos of the new Volkswagen CC ‘Sportline’ which I have tested on the below. The Volkswagen CC Comfortline priced at RM 225,888.00, while the CC Sportline priced at RM 243,888.00 in Peninsular Malaysia. Standard across all Volkswagen Cars in Malaysia from Volkswagen Group Malaysia, the car comes with 5-year unlimited mileage warranty and 5-year mobility guarantee for total peace of mind motoring and enjoyment.

Our rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ 7.25/10

Performance:  ★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆ 5/10
Exterior:   ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 8/10
Interior:   ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ 7/10
Safety:    ★★★★★★★★★☆ 9/10

Photo Gallery: Volkswagen CC 1.8 TSI Malaysia

Now, Volkswagen is extending the Passat model series with the new ‘Passat Alltrack’. Passat Alltrack has higher ground clearance and new off-road design. Basically, the new Passat Alltrack unites passenger car and SUV world altogether. The Alltrack will debut in a world premiere at the Tokyo Motor Show (3 to 11 December, 2011) and market launch for the new versatile Alltrack begins in early 2012.

This new version is offered in an estate car configuration, and it closes the gap between the conventional Passat Estate and SUVs such as the Tiguan. The rationale here: Many car drivers, who use their car as a towing vehicle, or in light off-road situations, want a versatile, sporty and very roomy passenger car that has rugged qualities. Volkswagen developed the Passat Alltrack for this clientele. In comparison with the familiar Passat Estate, the new model is defined by new bumpers in SUV style – with wheel well and side sill flares. Its greater off-road ramp angle, approach angle, departure angle and higher ground clearance all make the Passat Alltrack an excellent SUV alternative for driving on unpaved track.

Two turbocharged direct injection petrol engines (TSI) with 160 PS (118 kW) and 210 PS (155 kW) and two direct injection turbodiesels (TDI) with 140 PS (103 kW) and 170 PS (125 kW) are available in the Passat Alltrack. The two most powerful Alltrack versions, the 170 PS TDI and the 210 PS TSI, have standard 4MOTION all-wheel drive and a dual clutch transmission (DSG).

For the Passat Alltrack with a 140 PS TDI, Volkswagen will offer all-wheel drive as an option. Just how efficiently the engines of the Passat Alltrack operate together with the intelligently controlled 4MOTION all-wheel drive system is illustrated by the two TDI engines: the 140 PS version has a low combined fuel consumption of 5.7 l/100 km (equivalent to 150 g/km CO2), while fuel consumption for the 170 PS version is 5.8 l/100 km (152 g/km CO2).

Photo Gallery: 2012 Volkswagen Passat Alltrack

According to our source today, Volkswagen AG and DRB-Hicom had inked their venture to assemble the all new 2011 Volkswagen Passat and 2011 Volkswagen Jetta in Malaysia. The local assembly operations will be held at DRB’s existing plant in Pekan, Pahang, Malaysia. The CKD project for both passenger cars are value a billion ringgit which is equivalent to US$318 million.

Malaysia is the second country for Volkswagen AG to perform assembly operations in South East Asia. The first assembly operations in South East Asia were made last year in Indonesia to produce Volkswagen Touran.

The Volkswagen Passat and Jetta will due to roll out by the fourth quarter of 2011. It will be selling in Malaysia and possibly extending to other nations in South East Asia. DRB-Hicom will produce around 3,000 VW cars per year before expanding output from the end of 2012. Moreover, DRB aimed to use up to 40% of local parts in VW cars in long run.

This project is part of VW group directions to be the world largest automaker. Hence, the German automaker aimed to expand in South East Asia from 14,000 cars sold last year to between 40,000 and 50,000 over the next few years.

Photo Gallery: VW DRB-Hicom Press Conference

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A Volkswagen Passat BlueMotion has set a new Guinness World Record for the longest distance travelled by a standard production passenger car on a single tank of fuel.

The attempt, carried out by a team from The Sunday Times, involved driving from Maidstone in Kent to the South of France and back. The Passat BlueMotion finally ran out of fuel close to Calais after completing a distance of 1,526.63 miles.

The route mainly followed French autoroutes, but included some town driving, resulting in an average speed of just over 45 mph.

Gavin Conway, for The Sunday Times, drove the Passat BlueMotion during the three-day record-breaking trip, accompanied by a navigator and video crew. Two AA patrolmen followed the entire attempt in their van to witness the journey independently for the Guinness World Records organisation, which accredited the record.

Powered by a Volkswagen 1.6-litre common rail TDI engine developing 105 PS, the Passat BlueMotion used for the record attempt was a standard production model. In common with the Polo and Golf BlueMotion models, the Passat is fitted with aerodynamic modifications to the bodywork, a lower ride height, Stop/Start, programmed battery charging, longer gearing and low rolling resistance tyres. The result is a vehicle that is completely conventional to drive, service and maintain yet among the most efficient vehicles on the road today.

The Passat BlueMotion’s fuel tank was drained before the record breaking journey and filled with 77.25 litres of standard forecourt diesel, resulting in an overall fuel consumption of 89.83 miles per gallon. This substantially exceeds the Passat BlueMotion’s official combined figure of 64.2 mpg. The resulting fuel cost for the journey works out at just 6.17p per mile travelled.

In setting the record the Passat BlueMotion travelled a distance equivalent to driving from London to Malaga, without needing to refuel or from New York to Los Angeles with a single stop for diesel.

Photo Gallery: 2010 Paris Motor Show - 2011 VW Passat

Referring to our previous posting on Volkswagen Passat 2011 Leaked Photo, we found a spy video of the redesigned 2011 VW Passat. As mentioned previously, Volkswagen Passat will make official world premiere in this year’s Paris Motor Show in October and arrive in dealerships early next year.

The 2011 Volkswagen Passat is expected having new front and rear designs that identical to their current line-up like Scirocco, Golf and the 2011 Jetta. Apart from there, the Passat’s interior will receive a new design entirely. In the video, you will notice the new steering wheel and door panel.

Moving forward to engine and transmission, I foreseeing Volkswagen will be remain using the award winning TSI engine (EA888) as well as the Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) from the current model for the upcoming 2011 Passat.

Check out the spy video of the 2011 Volkswagen Passat