Based on the well-known Volkswagen Passat, the CC version was the 4-door coupe version for the German car-maker.
It was launched in 2008 at the North American International Auto Show.

The CC initials stood for Comfort Coupe and it was the Volkswagen answer for a market that demanded sportier sedans and for customers who didn’t enjoy the coupe versions. Not to mention that Volkswagen didn’t have any mid-size coupe in its lineup.

The design was a daring move made by the, otherwise traditional, Volkswagen brand. A low-profile roof, with very raked A-pillars and narrow front end, would suggest a sports car. The frameless windows were also new for a 4-door Volkswagen. The redesigned front and rear headlights made a clear statement of distancing from the regular Passat.

The interior was designed for four adults, with a sportier design for the front seats and a profiled rear bench for two passengers. The low roof design limited the headroom for the rear occupants. The dashboard was straight, with horizontal lines to amplify the width appearance. The instrument cluster featured carried-over analog dials from the regular Passat.

The Passat CC was offered with a choice of gasoline and diesel engines, with manual or automatic transmission. For specific markets, it was also offered with all-wheel-drive systems, with a Haldex center differential.