2013 Volkswagen CC: Up Close

Automakers can be a little obsessed with making their cars share styling cues, and that seems to be the impetus for the 2013 CC's design updates. The sporty sedan's new front end is a dead ringer for the recently redesigned Passat's. It's aggressive and crisp, but there wasn't anything particularly wrong with the prior design.

More 2011 L.A. Auto Show Coverage

The biggest practical change is the newly standard middle rear seat. I checked it out, and like a lot of middle seats, the cushioning is a little hard and you sit a little higher. I had just enough headroom, but I am 6-foot-1, and the CC has a very sleek roofline.

2013 Volkswagen CC at the 2011 L.A. Auto Show

• Competes with: Acura TSX, Nissan Maxima, Buick Regal
• Looks like: One of the sleekest family sedans around
• Drivetrain: 200-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder or 280-hp, 3.6-liter V-6 with six-speed manual (four-cylinder) or six-speed automatic; front- or all-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: Spring 2012

Volkswagen's sleek four-door CC gets a host of updates for the 2013 model year. Its new front and rear styling gives the car a stronger family resemblance with its Jetta and Passat siblings, and it's more practical as it goes from a four-seat to a five-seat layout with the new rear bench seat. It hits dealerships in spring 2012.

More 2011 L.A. Auto Show Coverage

The CC retains its signature coupe-like profile, which is one of its distinguishing visual features, but the front and rear of the car have an all-new look. Newly standard bi-xenon headlights are enclosed in new surrounds, and the grille and front bumper have a more horizontal, angular appearance that closely resembles the look of Volkswagen's latest Passat family sedan. LED daytime running lights are optional. In back, new rectangular LED taillights emphasize the car's wide, low stance. There's also a new range of 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Updated 2013 Volkswagen CC Coming to 2011 L.A. Auto Show

The 2013 Volkswagen CC adds new front and rear styling to better match VW’s new corporate look. That's the biggest takeaway we can see in Volkswagen's early release of information ahead of the car's debut at the 2011 L.A. Auto Show later this month. The four-door coupe’s new styling has a more serious expression with angular headlights, fog lights and grille, much like the recently redesigned Passat and Jetta wear.

Along with new styling, VW is upping the CC’s standard feature content for 2013 with bi-xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights, adaptive front lighting and LED taillights. The 2013 CC will be available in the U.S. next spring.

There are few details regarding any other changes or pricing, but we will know more in the coming weeks. More photos are below.

It's Time To Buy 2011s, But Incentives Are Hard To Find

Around this time every year, dealers are hard at work trying to sell the remaining cars on their lots as new-model-year vehicles start to roll in. This year is no different, and while some 2012s haven’t arrived yet, it’s still the best time to buy a 2011 … as long as you know what to look for. That’s where we come in.

We diligently report on even the slightest changes between model years as soon as possible. Sometimes this means a car will look the same but get an all-new engine and transmission like the upcoming 2012 Mazda3 sedan that’s expected to get 40 mpg highway. Other times, nothing significant has changed between model years, and then there are the all-new cars that have been redesigned from the ground up.

You’ll find the best deals in that second group of vehicles that go from 2011 to 2012 without much change. It’s been a challenge this year to find bargains because manufacturers are making more significant model-year changes and incentives for these older models just aren’t that alluring.

Here are some of the best deals we could find:

2011 Saab 9-5, 2011-12 Volkswagen CC Earn IIHS Top Safety Pick

The 2011 Saab 9-5 and the 2011 and 2012 Volkswagen CC received the Top Safety Pick designation in the midsize luxury/near-luxury category from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

These cars had previously earned the title, which is awarded to vehicles that receive the agency’s top rating — Good — in front, side and rear crash tests, and have electronic stability control. But that was before IIHS implemented its tough roof-strength test, making it harder for new cars to be named Top Safety Picks. To pass the test, a vehicle’s roof must be able to withstand the force of four times the vehicle’s weight. The VW CC’s roof can withstand 4.4 times its own weight; the 9-5 can withstand 5.85 times its own weight.

The Top Safety Pick designation on the CC applies only to the front-wheel-drive model because the heavier all-wheel-drive model was rated Acceptable in the roof-strength test.

Neither vehicle has been fully tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, whose tests include more side impact test data.

Altogether, IIHS recently completed roof-strength tests for eight midsize/large family and luxury cars. The 2011 Lexus ES 350 earned a Good rating in roof strength, but it was rated Acceptable for rear crash protection. The 2011 BMW 3 Series, Chevrolet Impala, Infiniti G series, Lexus IS and Saab 9-3 all earned Acceptable ratings in the roof-strength test.

Limited Supplies Force VW to Cancel Backup Cameras on Some Models

Volkswagen will no longer offer a backup camera option on the 2012 Touareg, Tiguan and Passat CC sedan because of supply shortages caused by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, according to the New York Times.

The 2012 CC with Lux Plus, Lux Limited and 4motion Sedan VR6 Executive trims have standard backup cameras. The 2012 Tiguan has an available backup camera with its touch-screen navigation system. All 2012 Touareg models come equipped with the feature, according to Autoblog.com.

Some 2012 models already have a backup camera in them, according to VW, but the feature is no longer being installed in newly produced models. VW doesn’t know when the cameras will be available again.

Shortage Forces VW to Cancel Back-Up Cameras (New York Times, via Autoblog)

Volkswagen Offers March Lease Deals

Like Honda, Volkswagen doesn’t typically offer big cash-back incentives to move cars off dealer lots; it instead relies on special lease rates. For March, the German automaker is offering attractive leasing and financing incentives on most of its lineup with its “Going, Going, Gone Event.”

Financing incentives include zero-percent financing for 72 months on vehicles like 2010 New Beetle and 2011 Routan minivan.

Newer vehicles like the redesigned 2011 Touareg (including hybrid and TDI diesel variants) also get attractive financing rates.

If you’re looking to get a deal on the fast-selling 2011 Jetta, the automaker is offering a $179 a month lease, though we’ve seen better rates from competitors like the Chevrolet Cruze and Toyota Corolla.

If you’re looking for a used Volkswagen, the company is also offering 1.99% APR financing on its entire certified pre-owned inventory for 48 months or 2.99% financing for 60 months.

The deals below are VW’s national deals. There are some regional and dealership incentives that might be more advantageous for people who are looking to finance or pay with cash rather than lease.

Most of the deals highlighted below expire at the end of March.

Ch-Ch-Changes: 2012 Volkswagen CC

For 2012, the Volkswagen CC gets some interior updates and modifications.

The interior now has a small analog clock, situated above the stereo system. A standard electronic brake switch has been repositioned to the center console. The real wood trim has also been changed on models where wood is available.

All trims receive at least a $315 price increase over last year's model. Trims include Sport, R-Line, Lux and VR6 4Motion Executive.

The 2012 CC is on sale now, with a wide selection to choose from at showrooms. Cars.com is showing more than 3,000 nationwide on the lots of VW’s dealership network. If you want to save money, there are also plenty of 2011 CCs available, too. Until the 2012 Passat sedan goes on sale, the CC is the only midsize sedan offering from VW.

Continue reading below for a interior picture and more detailed pricing information.

Volkswagen 0% Financing on New Golf, Others

Volkswagen is offering zero-percent financing for up to 60 months on the redesigned 2010 Golf; however, this excludes the diesel-powered TDI. It’s offering the same financing deal on the CC sedan and Routan.

The 2010 Eos and New Beetle convertibles have zero-percent financing deals for 36 months, while the Jetta, Passat, Passat wagon, New Beetle, GTI, Tiguan and Touareg all get the still-not-too-shabby deal of 1.9% financing for 60 months.

Check out Cars.com’s incentives page for more details.

Three VW Special Editions Now on Sale

One thing we’ve always liked about Volkswagen is its penchant for interesting special editions of its cars. Today, the company announced that its latest small-run packages are on sale now. We detail the three editions below, including pricing and more photos.

2010 Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition
While there is a high-performance trim of the standard gasoline-powered Jetta called the GLI, there’s nothing spiffy for diesel buyers. The TDI Cup Street Edition makes up for that, adding suspension and brakes straight from the GLI. Eighteen-inch wheels and a full body kit are also added. There are unique seats and steering wheel inside as well. It’s powered by the same high-torque turbo-diesel as a standard TDI and is available with either a six-speed manual or DSG transmission. It starts at $24,990. A base Jetta TDI starts at $22,830.