The CC hybrid’s low emission diesel-electric hybrid system would have to at least compete, if not better, PSA Peugeot-Citroen’s offering, which means CO2 emissions around the 100g/km mark, if not lower if mated to a lower-power engine than the one used in the French cars. Volkswagen wouldn’t confirm which unit would be used or a schedule for launch.

European buyers will get their first electric powertrain with the up! Blue-e-motion, which arrives in Continental markets at the end of 2013 ahead of an early 2014 UK launch. Shortly afterwards, the manufacturer will launch the all-electric Golf Blue-e-motion in the UK, allowing it to compete against the forthcoming Ford Focus Electric.

UK deliveries of the new CC (the first version of which has been highly successful in fleet) begin in March, with an a new front-end designed to mirror the Phaeton instead of the mechanically similar Passat. Both 2.0-litre diesel variants now return CO2 emissions of less than 130g/km.