Automotive design is a somewhat familial affair. And since most of Volkswagen's portfolio now abides by the company's new design language, it's not too surprising to see the revised 2013 CC -- which officially debuts later this month at the 2011 Los Angeles auto show -- is now more stylistically in-step with its siblings.
Although most of the curvaceous four-door's exterior remains unchanged, both front and rear fascias have been updated for the 2013 model. Up front, the car ditches the previous scalloped headlamps for new standard Bi-Xenon units with straightened edges. These lamps, along with a new trapezoidal grille, a new hood, and a revised lower air dam, resemble those used on both the 2012 Passat, along with the revised 2011 Phaeton sold elsewhere around the globe.
Other cosmetic tweaks are much more conservative. The CC gains new LED tail lamps with L-shaped lens patterns resembling those used on the Passat, Jetta, Golf, and Eos, while the rear bumper fascia is massaged ever so slightly. Interior revisions are largely limited to new climate controls; sadly, the oh-so-sumptuous tri-tone interior scheme shown here is likely to remain a European-market exclusive.
VW has yet to release finalized specifications on the car, but officials tell us the new car won't mechanically differ much from the existing car. Expect most trims to utilize a 200-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4, mated either to a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The 280-hp, 3.6-liter VR6 will likely remain relegated to top-trim models, and paired only with a six-speed automatic and VW's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system.
Look for more information to emerge closer to the Los Angeles auto show press days, which officially kick off on November 16th.