Automotive Trends

      Just over a year ago yours truly co-piloted the 2009 Volkswagen CC you see pictured above on a road trip to obtain an Imola Red M Coupe for Executive Editor Dye. On that cross-country journey we learned to love the CC as a road trip companion and dismissed our qualms about it being a Mercedes-Benz CLS knockoff. While the CC’s profile isn’t near as elegant as the Merc’s, the CC is far more attainable for a lot of folks. Under the hood of our model was Audi/VW’s fabulous 2.0T. With only a 200-hp rating this 2.0L direct-injected and turbocharged four-cylinder provided ample power for mountain passes and returned an astonishing 32-mpg considering this is a 3,344-lb four door coupe.