Volkswagen chose to launch the VW Passat CC to the world at Munich airport. Bold as brass, they erected a temporary reception building in the terminal concourse - on the surface a staggeringly ritzy erection, but under it all a temporary one nonetheless.

In its toilets, the paper walls were printed to resemble tiles, the hardboard partitions were painted to resemble limed oak and the chipboard floor was faked to resemble parquet. Appropriate really, as right outside was a line of Passats, each mocked-up to resemble a Mercedes CLS.

So has VW produced nothing more than a shameless and superficial CLS knock-off? That'll be the widespread public reaction. But you can't really blame VW. The Volkswagen passat is a worthy-but-dull saloon, just as the E-class is. Benz's makeover into the CLS sprinkled some showroom fairy-dust onto the range, and the Passat's CC transformation looks likely to be just as successful.

And the CC's mission is exactly the same as the CLS's. Neither replaces any existing car. They just give a slinkier choice to anyone needing four doors and four seats but not wanting the staid profile of a saloon.

But I can't help thinking they could have designed a Passat CC that did all that while still escaping the charge of looking, especially from the rear three-quarter, like a Benz on VW wheels. Ah well, at least the Passat CC avoids the CLS's molten-arse look at the very tail end, and so far as I'm concerned actually emerges as the more handsome car.

Perhaps the most stylish four-door available for those who can't bear to leave the clutches of the German industry and try an Alfa 159.

Anyway, the main thing is the CC doesn't just look like a Passat.It's longer, lower, wider and to a surprising degree has a curvier feel to its surfacing. It's not an integral part of the range: it was conceived well after the Passat saloon and estate were finished, which probably explains the surfacing: VW designers were moving into their latest 'emotional' phase.

In fact, the CC wasn't even going to be badged a Passat to begin with. Then they thought about callingit Passat Coupe, but the American dealers objected: "That ain't no coupe, sir - it's got too many doors." So we ended up with CC which stands for 'comfort coupe' not, as every other manufacturer uses the abbreviation 'coupe cabrio'.

So no, before you ask, the roof doesn't fold into the boot. To be fair, the VW spokesman did at least have the grace to look sheepish at the confusion this is likely to cause.