No, Volkswagen is not creating a lineup of cars dedicated to your favorite southern rock band, Credence Clearwater Revival. We "Heard it through the Grapevine" that VW->ke94 is actually moving its sporty trim level, dubbed the R-Line, over to its current sports sedan, the CC. This new trim level is set to debut on June 1st at the Leipzig Auto Show in Germany.

This new addition to the CC lineup will give the CC a sixth trim level to accompany the Sport, Sport Plus, Lux, Lux V6, and VR6 4Motion. Though this model receives the R-line badges and sportier appearance, it does not have higher horsepower, like other R-line vehicles, so it won’t get you “Up Around The Bend” any faster than the top-level CC VR6.

So what can we really expect from this new CC R-line? Does this mean that there is a “Bad Moon Rising” for fellow sports sedans, like the Maxima->ke540 or 3-Series->ke290?

UPDATE 10/18/12: Volkswagen has released the price for the CC R-Line. Want to know how much the model costs? Hop on over past the jump and find out.

Check out our complete review by clicking past the jump and find out if this new VW CC R-line is “Born To Move.”

volkswagen-cc-r-line

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: volkswagen-cc-r-line
Pros
Cons

2013 Volkswagen CC R-Line

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2013 Volkswagen CC R-Line
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 200 @ 5100
  • Torque: 207 @ 1700
  • Transmission: Six-speed dual-clutch sutomatic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

2012 Volkswagen Passat CC

The first thing you’re going to notice on the CC R-Line as you walk up to it is a completely revised and more aggressive bumper. Instead of having the horizontal lower-grille slots, the R-Line has a cross-style lover grille pattern. The lower grille opening itself has the gaping mouth look, as opposed to the CC Sport’s closed-mouth style.

On either side of this open-mouth grille, you also have circular projector fog lights with chrome surrounding each one. In the upper grille, you get the obligatory “R-line” logo on the grille. The front headlights are Bi-Xenon and also feature LED running lights. On its shallowly raked windshield, you get a set of rain-sensing windshield wipers, so if anyone asks “Have You Ever Seen The Rain?” you can say “Yes, but only until my wipers automatically clear it off my windshield."

On each corner of the 2013 VW CC R-Line, you get an 18-inch aluminum alloy rim, giving it a very sporty look. With exception to the rims, you can also tell the difference between the CC R-Line and the Sport model by the rolled side skirts attached to the vehicle’s rocker panels.

The backside features some R-Line-specific styling too, the main difference being the shading of the taillights to give them a darker and sleeker appearance. On the backend, you also get a set of LED taillights and even LED license plate lights.

The overall appearance of the R-Line is pretty sharp. Vee-Dub did a good job of making this vehicle look different than the standard CC, while not totally overdoing it like some automakers do. Then again, the CC could use a little overdoing, as it's a pretty bland-looking car.

Interior

There is not too much mention of variances between the Sport trim level CC and the R-Line. One of the key differences is that Volkswagen added in a set of stainless steel “R-Line” scuff panels. There is also a multi-function steering wheel that likely has HVAC and audio controls on it. The seats are covered with V-Tex leatherette.

On the technical side, the interior receives a Climatronic automatic climate control system to keep the cabin at optimal temperature. A huge addition is a Premium VIII Volkswagen audio system that you can jam out to your favorite John Fogerty song on. This Premium VIII system boasts a touch screen, HD Radio capabilities, eight speakers, six-disc CD changer, Bluetooth connectivity, and iPod connection.

With exception to these additions, the 2013 Volkswagen CC R-Line has the same interior as the CC Sport.

Engine and Drivetrain

The "big wheels keep on turnin’" on this CC R-Line via a 2.0-liter TSI turbocharged four-cylinder engine that cranks out 200 horsepower. It would have been nice to see the 280-horsepower VR6 V-6 engine in the R-Line, but VW left that for its two highest trim levels.

Pushing the 200 horsepower at 5,100 to 6,000 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque at 1,700 to 5,000 rpm to the front wheels is the same six-speed dual clutch transmission found on the CC Sport Plus. It also features steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

Pricing

Volkswagen has officially released the pricing information for the CC R-Line. The base 2.0-liter TSI Sport starts at $31,075. If you're looking for a model with a six-speed manual transmission, that price hits $33,020. If customers opt for the six-speed DSG transmission, the price bumps to $34,120. Finally, the top-of-the-line 3.6-liter VR6 4Motion Executive model will cost you $42,245.

Competition

The first competitor in line against the CC R-Line is the newly redesigned 328i. The first thing that simply screams “something is wrong” is the fact that the BMW starts out right about the same price that we expect the CC R-Line to start out at ($34,900). Think about it BMW or Volkswagen… We would take Bimmer->ke178 over the VW at that price any day.

The next thing that’s just not right is the fact that the 328i’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder pumps out 240 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 255 pound-feet of torque at 1,250 rpm. That is a whopping 40 horsepower and 48 pound-feet more that the CC R-Line. With both cars weighing in at about 4,000 lbs, we’d put a dollar on the BMW smoking the CC R-Line with ease.

The CC is also a pretty boring looking car, even with its latest redesign. The 328i and its fresh new body perfectly combines luxury with sport. Yeah, we’ll take the Bimmer again. We’ll wait for the finalized CC R-line’s interior before passing judgment, but it has a high hurdle if it expects to contend with the 328i.

The next car in line as a competitor is the Nissan Maxima. The Maxima’s body style is tired and is in need of rejuvenation. We all assume that there is a redesign in the works, but there is no mention of one yet. We’ll call this one a draw on the outside.

Under the hood, the Maxima boasts a powerful 3.5-liter V-6 engine that pumps out 290 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 261 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. Even with that big V-6 and the added power, you are only losing 3 mpg on the highway and the city mpg is 19 on both the SS R-Line and Maxima. When the Maxima finally gets its redesign, don’t be shocked to see a turbocharged four-banger under the hood, pushing out around 260 horsepower.

On the inside, the Maxima is gorgeous and features high-quality workmanship. Again, we cannot compare the CC R-Line’s interior to the Maxima’s yet, as we haven’t seen the VW’s interior. Just like with the BMW, the CC R-line has a high hurdle to jump when competing with the Maxima’s interior.

Conclusion

The 2013 CC R-Line has not put a spell on us yet, as it is grossly underpowered and the styling is kind of boring for its class. Without knowing all of the details on the CC R-line and only going off of what VW has told us, we say to go for the BMW 328i. The BMW seems to be a lot more car for the money.

Unless VW comes out with some more high-end features for the CC R-Line, we just cannot see shelling out around $35K for one.