2012 and 2013 Volkswagens Preview by Carey Russ +VIDEO

Highlighted were the 2013 CC four-door coupe and the 2012 Golf R, the most powerful Golf variant ever sold in the US. But there's more -- the supercharged hybrid Touareg and new Beetle are also particularly noteworthy. The Passat is all-new, with American-spec models now made in VW's new plant near Chattanooga, TN. The hardtop convertible Eos and Tiguan crossover have freshened styling, and there are trim and equipment changes for the Routan minivan and Golf and GTI hatchbacks. The Jetta sedan, VW's core model in the US, gets trim and equipment changes and a new turbo GLI model.

As is usual in such programs, the day started with a briefing on all of the changes in the Volkswagen lineup. Then it was time to drive, from the hotel to the VW Electronic Research Laboratory (VWERL). I picked a CC, a 2.0T Sport with the six-speed manual transmission.

The drive route wasn't exactly the best for a manual as it was the morning commute. Up Highway 92 (which had been closed all day one day the previous week due to a collision between a semi and a garbage truck) and over the hill to US 101 South a fortunate few miles to Belmont, at the northern end of Silicon Valley.

2009 Volkswagen CC Sport Review & Test Drive Automotive Addicts