VW Sport Coupe Concept GTE

The Sport Coupe GTE from VW isn't just another flight of fantasy, but a car believed to preview the firm's next four-door coupe model in the mid-size category.

From the more snazzy styling to the grander exterior dimensions and the advanced tech, it looks like VW wants to push it above the current CC and closer to other premium sports saloons like the Mercedes-Benz CLS and Audi A7 Sportback – albeit not too close in pricing. 

VW itself said that it portrays a styling exercise for a new model to bridge the gap between the Euro Passat and the Phaeton. 

At 4,869mm (191.7 inches) long 1,407mm (55.4 inches) tall and 1,864mm (73.4 inches) wide, the Sport Coupe is longer and wider than the current Passat, while riding on a 50mm longer wheelbase at 2,841 mm (111.9 inches) for improved rear legroom - Note: VW's US press arm mistakenly noted that the wheelbase was 118.9 inches or 3,020mm, something we repeated in our original article on the study.

For power, VW chose a 295hp 3.0-liter V6 turbocharged gasoline engine that operates in combination with two electric motors, one in the gearbox housing and the other at the rear, delivering a system output of 274hp (380PS), good enough for a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in 5.0 seconds and a 250km/h (155mph) top speed. 

The GTE can run on battery power for 50km (31 miles) and has an overall range of around 1,000km or about 620 miles, returning a combined efficiency of 2l/100km (117.6 mpg US or 141.2 mpg UK).

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2016 VW Passat

Europe has an all-new VW Passat, but North America will have to wait a while until the next-generation model arrives. However, the US-spec Passat will go through a significant refresh for the 2016 model year.

According to previous reports, VW is preparing some consistent styling tweaks, more dramatic than the brand’s usual makeovers. But the facelift will bring more than just cosmetic changes, with the North American VW Passat also getting new features and driver’s assistance systems.

Photoshop ace Remco Meulendijk tried to imagine the Passat’s makeover with two renderings that give the car new LED headlights and taillights in tune with VW’s latest models, as well as restyled bumpers, grille and fog lights.

I don’t know about you, but for me this is exactly the type of facelift I would expect from VW. Let’s just hope changes will be more significant than that...

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Volkswagen CC Facelifted (2013)

To reinforce its point, VW has made some changes to the styling of the 2013 CC that made its world debut this week at the LA Motor Show.

While the main bodywork stays the same, the front end of the CC sports a new chrome grille, redesigned headlamps with LED daytime running lights and a different bumper. It’s a similar story at the rear end that gains LED tail lamps and new boot and bumper designs.

The cabin features new climate controls and trim options, stainless steel door sills – and that’s about it on the design department. However, one significant upgrade in the 2013 CC is that there is now seating for five, with a three-seat rear bench taking the place of two individual buckets.

There are no changes to the engine line-up, which in the States, includes a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 200HP and a 280HP 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V6, both with direct injection tech.

What has changed compared to the outgoing model is the addition of driver assistance systems, such as the Side Assist Plus with Lane Assist that warns you of vehicles in the car’s blind spots and, if necessary, makes the required direction changes to avoid an accident.

The updated 2013 CC, which will be launched first in Germany in February and subsequently in the rest of Europe and the U.S, can also be ordered with Dynamic Light Assist and a (rather useful, we guess) traffic sign detection system.

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