In Volkswagen speak, “R” designates only the most capable version of a given platform. Over the years, we’ve seen two generations of R32 and, more recently, the revered Golf R. However, VW’s large sedans have never been anointed with such R-ness. And while a Passat R might not exactly sound like something we’d spend money on, the CC isn’t exactly a Passat…
We were first introduced to the CC when it debuted at the Detroit Auto Show in January ’08. It was initially dubbed the Passat CC, but was mercifully shortened to “CC” (which stands for Comfort Coupe).
Although clearly built on a Passat chassis, it’s slightly larger and has coupe styling with more dynamic performance. And when looking at the CC you can’t help but be reminded of the Mercedes CLS, which isn’t a bad thing…
When driving the CC it’s a competent but slightly uninspiring experience. So VW’s handsome sedan has always begged for more performance.
Enter Peter Zahurak from Denver, Colorado. A long-time VAG enthusiast, whose previous project – a 400whp Mk1 Audi TT – never quite came to fruition. So when the CC was announced, he was determined to have another go, and enlisted the team at 3ZERO3 Motorsports in Wheat Ridge, CO for help with the build.
“I wanted to execute something that was in-line with the original vehicle but that would be a complete makeover,” Peter explained. “3ZERO3 have built some great concepts, so we met to discuss the plan. I don’t care about stance or AWD, but wanted something that was fast, sexy and drivable. So we fleshed out what we’d call the CC-R concept and I fell in love with the idea. And achieving the ‘R’ status was what motivated all aspects of the project.”
The goal was to create a CC-R with a hardware list the VW engineers would be proud of. It would be fast and agile, without compromising the car’s reliability or civility, just as Peter requested.
The first modifications involved an HPA Motorsports K04 turbo kit along with an FMIC, downpipe, ECU and DSG tuning software. This was enhanced with a cat-back exhaust from Milltek that used twin tips and was the first of its kind in the US. The team also sourced a gorgeous stage 2 carbon fiber intake from Carbonio.
With more than 350hp expected, HPA also provided its six-piston front brake kit. Finished in a bright blue and including 355mm slotted two-piece rotors, these almost do as much for the aesthetics as they do for the braking…
Suspension was also carefully selected, with Bilstein PSS10 coilovers getting the nod. These units are remarkable for their ability to retain factory levels of ride comfort while allowing the vehicle to be lowered. It has ten settings for damper adjustment, allowing Peter to dial-in the ride quality he wanted.
The last items selected were the wheels because the owner was struggling with the decision. Initially, he was looking for something that conveyed more luxury than sporting intentions, but ultimately trusted in the advice of the 3ZERO3 team.
“I had my mind set on some nasty 20″ dished wheels, but when I was ready to pull the trigger, Max Gerson (service advisor) at 3ZERO3 almost slapped the credit card out of my hand. In the end I was forced to drink the Kool-Aid and order some wheels I wasn’t totally convinced of at the time. Actually, we had to order two sets because we weren’t happy with the fitment of the first set. But at the end of the day, I love the 20″ BBS CH-R we chose. The finish and spoke detail perfectly match the theme of the car,” Peter told us.
Inside, it was the owner’s decision to wrap the trim in white carbon fiber vinyl from 3M. He also added HPA-inspired blue stripes to the shifter surround and passenger-side trim for a sporting splash of color.
On the driver’s side, a digital boost gauge was ordered from P3 Cars to monitor the new turbo set up. This was another great addition because it’s neatly integrated and is even able to read fault codes if necessary.
Exterior upgrades were similarly subtle and OEM+. They included a VW trunk spoiler, European-spec turn signals and three R badges, which were painted blue to match the brakes.
The car went from bone stock to fully built in about one month, all while the odometer was reading less than 10,000 miles. Yet Peter was adamant his CC-R would be built early in the car’s life so he had all the time to enjoy it.
