Strategic Vision has announced the winners of its 2013 Total Quality Index (TQI), with American automakers reinstating their position in some very competitive segments.

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Volkswagen is looking to expand its next-generation Passat lineup by adding a CC Shooting Brake model according to insiders.

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Making an appearance at the 2012 LA Auto Show for Volkswagen was its CC R-Line model, which will start at $32,195, not including a $795 destination fee.

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Volkswagen will be showcasing four new models at the upcoming Auto Mobil International (AMI) show in Leipzig, from the CC, Scirocco, Beetle, and Polo ranges.

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It’s been a few months since Volkswagen revealed its updated 2013 CC model, and now the German automaker has added the sporty, R-Line as an available trim level.

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German automaker Volkswagen has given the green light to develop a second four-door coupe to join its popular CC model in its lineup. It’s currently known as the SC (sport coupe) internally, but the nameplate is expected to stick.

The new SC will be positioned as a smaller CC and will be part of the seventh-generation Jetta lineup. VW hopes the SC will help boost market share in the Chinese and North American markets while further bolstering European sales. The SC got the nod from Volkswagen after US market studies showed that a coupe version of the Jetta only got a mediocre response from potential customers.

“Our research suggests there is increasingly a market for a sportier and more stylish version of the Jetta in the mould of the CC only smaller and more affordable. From the feedback we’ve received so far buyers want an individual bodystyle and the practicality of four doors,” a Volkswagen source told Autocar UK.

The willingness to drop a coupe project for a sedan is probably a smart business decision for VW. The German automaker sold 889,945 Jetta-based sedan models in 2011, a significant increase from its 2009 677,793 figure. It’s expected that the SC will feature a much sportier body than a standard Jetta sedan and will be based on the MQB platform that is also found on the Audi A3.

Current estimations is that the SC will be introduced to the European market in 2015 and should make its way to America shortly thereafter.

[Source: Autocar UK]

Volkswagen redesigned their CC for the 2013 model year and with it comes a slight price increase.

The new base price for the 2.0L TSI Sport model will be $30,250 (excluding destination and handling) with a manual transmission, an automatic costs $1,100 more.

The TSI Sport model with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) and Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) starts at $30,610. The 2.0L TSI Sport Plus will begin at $32,850; 2.0L TSI Lux will start at $35,355; while the more powerful 3.6L VR6 Lux will cost $37,730. The top-of-the-line model is the VR6 4Motion Executive, and will begin at $41,420.

The CC will also get a 2.0T R-Line model, but the company didn’t release details. It will arrive in early 2013 however.

The 2.0T CC comes with a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 200-hp and 207 lb-ft of torque with either a six-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch automatic. The 3.6L VR6 engine has 280-hp and 265 lb-ft of torque mated to a six-speed automatic.

GALLERY: 2013 Volkswagen CC

The Volkswagen CC debuted at the 2011 Los Angeles auto show, and gave us our first look at the updated styling on the 2013 CC. Volkswagen has just released new photos and video of the CC to spike interest in the sedan once again and to give us another look at the fresh new design.

The CC has held onto the chassis and engine offerings from the previous model, but has received a face-lift and an update on some of the technology features. Some of the interior features include Side Assist Plus including Lane Assist (warns of vehicles in blind spots and supports the driver via steering intervention to avoid an accident), Dynamic Light Assist (automatic main beam control), a camera-based traffic sign detection system, and even a ‘climate seat’ which comes with integrated massage function.

The 2013 CC will be available in Germany and Luxembourg first in the beginning of February, followed by the rest of Europe at the end of February and will make its way across the ocean to North America in Spring of 2012. Check out the videos Volkswagen released of the new CC below.

GALLERY: 2013 Volkswagen CC

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Volkswagen today unveiled the freshened 2013 CC four-door coupe, with a revised front fascia and some spiffy new LED taillights that clearly distinguish it from the 2012 model.

Not much else has changed according to VW, but the German automaker did take a big step towards making the CC a bigger player by adding a five seat option in the form of a new three-across bench available in back. Engines will remain the same, at least initially, with 200 and 280 hp gas engines filling the engine bay, the smaller engine backed by a stick or DSG and the bigger motor going 4Motion and automatic only.

The standard equipment list on the 2013 Volkswagen CC has grown along with the occupant capacity, and now includes such features as “bi-xenon headlights with static cornering lights and a new LED rear lighting design. Also standard: fatigue detection, RCD 310 radio-CD system, stainless steel door sill plates and safety head restraints (front seats) with additional front-rear adjustment. In addition, new assistance systems are making their way into the CC. They include optional technologies such as Side Assist Plus including Lane Assist (warns of vehicles in blind spots and supports the driver via steering intervention to avoid an accident), Dynamic Light Assist (automatic main beam control) and a camera-based traffic sign detection system. Meanwhile, the ‘climate seat’ with integrated massage function optimises comfort,” according to the press release you’ll find after the break.

Gallery: 2013 Volkswagen CC

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Now that we know the mid 1990s Honda Civic and Accord hold the top two spots amongst car thieves, what cars do thieves avoid most?

Well, aside from the BMW 5-Series, the common denominator on this list is that these cars are all pretty dull. Interestingly, midsize SUVs and German sedans are among what the Highway Loss Data Institute deems to be undesirable to car thieves.  These vehicles are likely on the list because they have proper anti-theft mechanisms that go beyond a mere alarm system. On the other hand, the Chevrolet Aveo is a rolling anti-theft system in itself.

Here’s the Top 10 car that thieves dislike:

1. Audi A6 all-wheel-drive, large luxury car
2. Mercury Mariner (2009-10) small SUV
3. Chevrolet Equinox (2010) midsize SUV
4. Volkswagen CC (2009-10), midsize car
5. Chevrolet Equinox four-wheel-drive (2010) midsize SUV
6. Lexus RX 350 (2010) midsize luxury SUV
7. Saturn Vue midsize SUV
8. Chevrolet Aveo (2009-10) mini station wagon
9. BMW 5 series all-wheel-drive large luxury car
10. Mini Cooper Clubman 2-door car

[Source: USA Today]

Make way for the new winners! Let’s give the Saab 9-5 and the Volkswagen CC three cheers for earning their places as IIHS Top Safety Pick award winners.

Earning good ratings for performance in the Institute’s roof strength test for rollover protection, these luxury vehicles also brought in good ratings for front, side, and rear crash protection, and both come standard with electronic stability control. It’s interesting to note that Top Safety Pick only applies to the front-wheel drive Volkswagen CC – that’s because the heavier all-wheel drive version only rated acceptable in the roof strength test.

Taking the test this time around were eight midsize to large family and luxury cars, but only the 9-5 and CC came out on top. The 2011 Lexus ES 350 earned a good rating for rollover protection, but didn’t get an award because it didn’t make the grade when it came to rear crash protection. Other contenders that earned acceptable ratings for rollover protection were the BMW 3 series, Chevrolet Impala (models built after July 2010), Infiniti G, Lexus IS 250/350, and Saab 9-3.

[Source: IIHS]