Volkswagen Passat CC Concept: Finally Getting With The Times

In a radical move away from current styling themes, the concept manages to remain characteristically Volkswagen, with those strong parallel grille slats for example, however progressing into a far more striking front fascia. The car looks naturally planted because of its wide stance, accentuated by that large grille and LED-highlighted lower air vents.

Strong character lines and creases in addition to that wide shoulder line push forth the concept car's aggressive nature in the side profile, is there some influence of the new Skoda Superb design? Even if there is, it's all in the family, and it's successful, so no one should complain.

This angle of the new Volkswagen shows a swoopy D-pillar that gives the car a racy profile, and the subtly detailed rear design looks absolutely brilliant. It needs to be, because the concept looks to be pitched higher up the 4-door coupe segment ladder, and will probably take on the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class.

The tail lamps are reminiscent of current-gen Volkswagens, and the contours of the rear fascia are classily restrained, yet there's enough happening there to keep design critics interested. We hope the final production model doesn't tone down the handsome design cues of the concept.

If the new model remains more or less true to these images, this is where it will get a lot of nods of approval-the huge flared wheel arches and the integrated headlamp and grille design are almost revolutionary. We're really looking forward to the Geneva reveal, along with the rest of the world, no doubt...