"Look at companies like Ruf, Alpina, AMG... they produce a premium product yet take a restrained approach to graphics and paint, etc.
"The stock CC has a feeling of 'value' and we didn't want to 'devalue' it with matte black paint or cheap parts. We've tried to increase its value and create a premium product.
"Furthermore, we haven't built a temperamental concept car. Everything is functional on this car. And yet it's also a piece of art, where you need to get close in order to see the detail. We build these concepts with incredible care and attention to detail, and hopefully that reflects in how they are received," Derek concluded.
From our perspective, we continue to be in awe of the thought and effort expended by VW's Design Center to create these concepts. And as the R GTI has proved, with two seasons of hard track use under its belt, they're not trailer queens.
We can't say enough about how Derek and his team are representing both the roots and the future of European tuning, creating cars we can all be proud of.
The only genuine problem we see with the Performance CC, is how will Derek top it? Where can he go from here?
We eagerly look forward to SEMA 2009 to discover the answer.
We also encourage you to check out PCC in person. It will be appearing at a number of shows and track days over the coming 12 months. Hopefully we've given you an idea of what to look for. Now it's up to you to see and feel what we've been talking about.
Gold Coast CC
Showing another side of the versatile CC is the Gold Coast Edition. Created by the same US design team as the CC, this car was built in Wolfsburg.
Unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance last year and first announced on our blog at www.eurotuner.com it was intended to show a softer side of the Comfort Coupe.
The GCE version wore a Votex body kit available off the shelf in Europe. The polished 19" propeller-style Lugano wheels were created by the Design Center for the CC's launch and will possibly be available as an option in the future.
The car was painted in DuPont Pepe Pepper, which complimented the combination of Latte Macchiatto and Cornsilk leather with bronze piping used on the seats, dash and door trim.
Mechanically, the 280hp 3.6 VR6 motor was stock but the front brakes were upgraded with Audi R8 ceramic rotors and KW coilovers were fitted.
Displayed alongside the PCC at SEMA, the Gold Coast Edition offers not only a more luxurious interpretation of the CC, but also another piece of inspiration for potential owners.