The slow-selling Volkswagen Phaeton has been upgraded, with visitors to the Beijing motor show the first people to see it.
The launch venue is no coincidence; the Phaeton has sold in modest numbers only in the UK and Europe, and was pulled from sale in US entirely in 2006.
See the facelifted VW Phaeton pictures
China and South Korea are the car's biggest markets and VW sold 1400 Phaetons in China last year, a 40 per cent increase on 2008's levels.
The changes are largely cosmetic. The new Phaeton gets front-end styling now familiar from all new Volkswagens, including the Polo, Golf and Touareg.
Styling changes have also been made at the rear and new kit has been added inside, including Google Maps and road sign recognition technology.
The engine range is likely to be the same as in the current Phaeton. A 237bhp 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel will be available in both short and long-wheelbase models, but the flagship 444bhp W12 petrol will be offered in the long-wheelbase Phaeton only.
The car is scheduled to go on sale in the UK in October; expect prices to start at around £45,000.
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Re: New VW Phaeton revealed
i agree with orandzh. The Phaeton still has not dated,the Superb has a frown head on,and would never win rear of the year either!
Re: New VW Phaeton revealed
There was a LWB model of the current generation and again there will be both short and long wheelbases on the new Phaeton.
The facelift looks better than I was anticipating but it still lacks a little definition in profile but the interior and refinement have always been the Phaeton's big strong points and is a lovely place to be and the standard spec list will be huge.
Re: New VW Phaeton revealed
no it is the handbreak and i like it