What is it?
The latest Volkswagen Phaeton, a car that has achieved legendary white elephant status around the car business since its launch in 2002. However, even though industry bigwigs snigger about the car in secret, VW is persevering – and this facelifted executive saloon, now on sale in the UK, is the proof.
A measure of the ambition (stroke vanity) of VW Group supremo Ferdinand Piech, the Phaeton was originally commissioned to fight Mercedes and BMW, who were venturing into Volkswagen’s territory at the turn of the century with cars like the A-class, 1-series and Mini. It was conceived to demonstrate that VW engineers were the best in the business, and could make a better car even than Merc’s mighty S-class - if only they had the opportunity.
When the original Phaeton arrived on sale in 2002, it certainly proved sufficiently refined and technologically sophisticated to measure up to limousine class standards. It didn’t have the desirability or brand power to match though, so sales started badly and went downhill from there. Except in VW’s rapidly developing Chinese and South Korean markets, which have become the Phaeton’s biggest. And it is for those markets primarily that the saloon has been revised, getting new grille, bumper and bonnet styling, some new cabin componentry and an updated technical specification.
What’s it like?
The Phaeton’s primary mechanicals remain unchanged. It rides on the VW Group’s all-steel ‘D1’ platform, just as the Bentley Continental GT and Flying Spur do, and features Torsen-based permanent four-wheel drive and continuous damper control air suspension. Our test car had the shorter of two available wheelbases (even on that, the Phaeton’s only 13mm shorter than a BMW 7-series), and the VW Group’s latest 237bhp, 369lb ft, 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine. UK buyers are also offered VW’s 444bhp 6.0-litre W12 petrol engine, in long-wheelbase form only.
A wheelbase of 2881mm is within touching distance of the large executive class norm, and as you’d expect, passenger room inside the Phaeton is generous. You’ll find plenty of legroom in both rows, and enough headroom even if you’re six-foot-something. Less impressive are the individual chairs themselves, which feel a little hard, and have relatively short, flat squabs with little thigh support. It’s not impossible to get comfortable in the Phaeton – far from it – but the car doesn’t feel as luxurious as it should.
Also slightly disappointing is the new Phaeton’s equipment tally. If you’re expecting to get a bounty of gadgetry as compensation for your choice not to drive a 7-series or XJ, think again: VW gives you sat nav, four-zone climate control and heated leather, but you’ll pay extra for Bluetooth connectivity, adaptive cruise control - even an iPod connector. There isn’t much wrong with the big VW’s manners on the move. From the driver’s seat it feels so long and heavy that you wouldn’t ever hurry it along quickly. Rolling refinement comes into question occasionally over deeper urban ruts and potholes, which cause the Phaeton’s body to fidget from side to side and its chassis to thump. The Phaeton has a quiet and compliant gait above 50mph though, and its laminated glass and generous cabin insulation suppress wind-, road- and engine noise very well indeed.
In the mould of the Mercedes S-class, the Phaeton is certainly more laid-back chauffeur’s special than an XJ-apeing sporting grand tourer. Light, anodyne steering and a shortage of chassis composure soon slow you down if you try to derive much pace and enjoyment from the car. But that’s no great failing in an old-fashioned limousine like this – especially one that’s priced £10k below the class norm.
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Re: VW Phaeton 3.0 V6 TDI
do I detect the faint flicker of massive bias in your eulogy?
I had a 6.0 a few years back now and while it's undeniably a good car there are undeniably better cars to be had for the same money. The Phaeton is far too heavy, the ride and handling is nothing special, the interior was a pick and mix of premium quality bespoke items and VAG parts bin rubbish, and nothing it did was in any way exceptional - those drab looks are a perfect advertisement for an overwhelmingly drab car. Even the W12 itself was boring and no faster than any of the more traditionally laid out V12 rivals such as the S600 or 760iL.
Your use of the word 'sheep' as an epithet makes it pretty obvious why you hanker after one, and in which case I should say that simply wanting something different isn't a very good reason for purchasing anything, let alone an expensive luxury car. S-Class beats it hands down, probably the new XJ too.
Re: VW Phaeton 3.0 V6 TDI
I simply cannot believe the depth of ignorance shown both by the readers' comments and your digital editor. The Phaeton is a remarkable and subtly beautiful car. Why do VW go on producing it? Because it's a massive hit in other markets, with people who are not tragically hobbled by badge snobbery. We went as a family to the two launch parties in Holland and were deeply impressed. The fact that it looks quite like a big Passat B5 (but, now, really LOOK, without prejudice, please) makes it the car that someone would love who would like to have a Bentley but does not want the image that comes with it. It is of a build quality far in advance of Mercs or Bimmers, both of which are increasingly ugly, badly built and massively overpriced. It has a most beautifully constructed and finished interior, which would put even Audi to shame, and it is a car that will become a classic, beyond fashion and the changing tides of design. When we return from postings abroad we will seriously consider buying one which has not got a grey or black interior, with all the trimmings, for a massively depreciated price left by some sucker who used it for work and never fully appreciated its real beauty. I love these cars. If you actually look at them with the eyes of somebody who loves car design, not some wretched punter who wants to drive around in a running shoe design or just follow the uninformed herd, you will see what a very dignified and handsome car this is. Are you all suggesting that Ferdinand Piech, whose progeny this magnificent vehicle was, is anything other than a genius? The joke is on YOU. After 15 years you woke up to the fact that Skodas were excellent cars; finally, you learned to love Audis and not just the boring mainstream German Mercs and Bimmers (ugh), so now get over the fact that VW is producing one of the World's greatest luxury saloons. Bunch of sheep!
Re: VW Phaeton 3.0 V6 TDI
I think the summary of this article says it all. As much as I like the Phaeton for its subtlety, when you're spending such a large amount of money on a car most people want something that says you have style, class and exclusivity, not suggestions that you're a low-level accountant who gets overwhelmed by bright colours so always buys silver and grey cars.
Also, with this vehicle you run the risk of going to a Volkswagen showroom to buy a Passat 1.6 TDI, but accidentally get into a Phaeton instead as you can't tell them apart.