Volkswagen CC R-Line 2.0 TSI (DSG) Review: R for racing

What we like:

Aggressively styled but maintains the sedated comfort and luxury ride of the previous models.

What we dislike:

Suffers from lack of headroom in the back.

The CC R-line replaces both the previous 1.8-litre TSI and 2.0-litre CC Sport models. Using the same four cylinder 2.0-litre EA888 (Also used in the GTI hatch and Cabriolet) lump as the CC Sport, power figures remain similar at 210bhp with 280Nm of torque from 1,700rpm.

Despite its larger platform, the CC is just slightly over a second slower to 100kmh than its more enthusiastic GTI sibling with a time of 7.6 seconds.

But like the GTI, the car comes with Volkswagen’s excellent Dynamic Chassis Control system that alters the car’s damping according to the driving situation. A selection of Comfort, Normal and Sport is available to your fancy.

With Sport mode activated, we threw the CC into the bends with great aplomb and was greeted with excellent body control. The sedan cornered flatly through the bend with agile directional changes. Coupled with the excellent brakes and you’ve got a joy multiplier that can still ferry the kids to school!

In cruise mode, the supple damping of the chassis was hardly upset by the bumps we experienced on the ECP but we did find that for long distance high speed cruises, the ‘Normal’ setting would be best as ‘Comfort’ tends to bottom out a little more than we’d like.

Being the 2.0-litre model, the car gets the six speed wet clutch DSG that saw no complaints from us during our drive. The smooth shifting system was fuss free in auto mode and is reasonably quick when manual operation was selected.

Replacing the previous two CC models with the R-lines seems like a rational move as most potential buyers would be keen on the more striking R-line model. If not for the look, then surely for the additional options.

This new variant has certainly taken the CC to a higher level above its competition.

Location was kindly provided by Changi Karting Circuit.

Credits: Story and Photos by Benjamin G. Kline