VW's CLS clone has finally been unveiled - according to VW its going to be around half the price of the CLS. I do like the look of it, except I think that the badge, in a way lets it down 
All the style of a Mercedes CLS at a fraction of the price – that’ll be Volkswagen’s brand new four-door Passat coupe.
The covers have been pulled off the newcomer at the Detroit Motor Show, and Auto Express is reporting live from the expo in the USA. Check out our exclusive images along with the first official Volkswagen pictures.
The sleek new model is billed as a coupe, but has a smooth four-door body, aping its classy Mercedes rival.
Dubbed the Passat CC – Concept Coupe - the newcomer has a rakish look, with a front grille and headlamp design clearly influenced by the Eos.
The low sweeping roofline features a distinctive Panorama power vent sunroof. The large glass panel stretches from the top of the windscreen to the B-Pillar and can be tilted up by 30mm. Adding to the upmarket look, all of the doors are pillarless.
The sleek model is 31mm longer than the Passat, measuring 4.8 metres in length, while it’s also 36mm wider. However, the coupe is 50mm lower.
Inside, the cabin is based on the standard car’s, but gets a luxurious makeover. In keeping with its coupe aspirations, the CC only offers seating for four. Brand new seats are fitted front and rear, while three different steering wheels are available.
Meeting a similar brief to the exterior designers, the Passat’s engineers have also been charged with reflecting the CC’s sporty side on the road. They have come up with a chassis control system called Dynamic Drive Control. The technology adjusts the suspension settings while also changing the sensitivity of the power steering. Drivers can select Normal, Sport and Comfort settings depending on the conditions.
The sleek concept also showcases what Volkswagen says is a technological world first. While you can already get lane keep assist systems on other models including Citroen’s C5, this VW is the first to automatically steer back into the correct lane if you stray wide. Only if the driver is indicating while moving will system allow the lane change.
Other hi-tech additions include VW’s Park Assist system which debuted on the Touran compact MPV. Designed to automatically guide the Passat into a parking space the system should take the stress out of parallel manoeuvres. Long distance cruising is also hassle free thanks to an automatic cruise control which applies the brakes or accelerates according to the speed of the traffic in front of the CC.
Under the bonnet the Passat CC will be offered exclusively with direct injection engines. Entry level models are powered by a 158bhp 1.8-litre TSI engine. A six-speed manual transmission is fitted as standard, while a newly developed seven-speed dual clutch DSG automated manual is optional.
Buyers with more to spend can choose a 197bhp 2.0 TSI or an all-wheel drive 3.6-litre V6 petrol unit delivering 296bhp. Both 138bhp and 168bhp 2.0-litre TDI diesel variants will also be offered.
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Would make things more interesting and give BMW a run for their money...
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