Is 1.8 litres sufficient to haul 1530kg of Passat? When it’s a turbocharged, direct injection engine with a 158bhp power peak and 185lb ft on tap between 1500rpm and 4200rpm, apparently so.
This engine is essentially a shorter-stroke, updated version of the familiar unit used in the Golf GTI and many Audis, despite its TSI tag.
The 1.8 is a good engine – smooth to its 6800rpm limit, free of resonant periods but emitting a gentle induction bark when the throttle is opened. There’s some turbo lag, but once past that initial delay, the CC moves with a torquey vigour that won’t make you wish you’d opted for a more powerful engine.
The six well-chosen gear ratios help. Even in the long-striding sixth gear (28.3mph/1000rpm), though, the CC accelerates meaningfully. Maximum-effort sprinting will allow the CC to reach 60mph in 8.2sec and 100mph in 25.1sec.
The sport’ suspension and low-profile tyres (235/45 R17) would normally fill us with dread at the thought of driving on Britain’s disintegrating back roads, but the Passat CC rides very well indeed. This is down to a stiff structure, supple suspension bushing and a good choice of damper calibration.
Sharp-edged bumps and dips are dispatched with neither drama nor aftershock, and the CC always feels level and composed.
There is a trade-off, though. In steering response, handling precision and the ability to give the driver a good time, the CC is shaded by the cars it aspires to rival (the BMW 3-series and Mercedes-Benz C-class).
The Passat is never less than safe, confidence inspiring and fluid in its movements, but its steering’s otherwise sensible weighting varies little as the grip changes under the front tyres. So there’s not much proper road feel.
Most drivers will be entirely happy with the Passat CC’s dynamic repertoire, but there are no hidden depths to explore and only limited satisfaction to be gained.