's bargain CLS-rival: Passat CC

Volkswagen has released the details of its new cut-price Mercedes CLS rival, the Passat CC. Despite its rakish roofline, VW promises the four-seat CC will have ample headroom and legroom for adult rear occupants, while a large, panoramic roof ensure the cabin feels light and airy. The rear of the CC is entirely new and is considerably more stylish and sporty than the rather dour Passat saloon. Curiously, the CC is 31mm longer and 36mm wider than the standard Passat and it sits on a wider track. It is a whopping 5cm lower than the standard car, though, which only enhances its sportier nature. Inside there's a new steering wheel, new dials and revised minor controls while many of the luxuries previously only found in the Phaeton are available in the CC, such as headed and cooled seats and active dampers. In the rear pair set of sculpted individual seats replace the rear bench and are separated by a storage cubby between the two passengers.VW also promises the CC will be more fun to drive than the saloon Passat and is planning to offer a range of three petrol and two diesel engines. The entry level petrol engine is a 160hp 1.8-litre Turbo with a six-speed manual or the new seven-speed DSG gearbox (0-100km/h in 8.6 seconds, 220km/h). The Golf GTi's 200hp 2.0-litre Turbo (0-100km/h in 7.9 seconds, 237km/h) will also be offered, either with a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission, while the Passat R36's 300hp, 317Nm 3.6-litre V6 tops the range, with 4MOTION all-wheel drive and a six-speed DSG gearbox as standard (0-100km/h in 5.6 seconds, 250km/h). Two 2.0-litre diesel engines will be offered in 140hp and 170hp guises (0-100km/h in 9.8 and 8.6 seconds with tops speeds of 213 and 226km/h respectively) linked to either six-speed manual or DSG gearboxes. Final specification has yet to be announced but eight airbags and ESP is standard. The Passat CC goes on sale in Ireland in late summer.