Thursday 22nd April 2010

Phaeton Gets A Facelift For Beijing Show

VW Limo gets fresh looks, but drops V8 petrol

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Volkswagen has revealed a facelifted Phaeton at the Beijing motor show - the first major facelift for the VW flagship since the car was introduced back in 2003.

At the front there's a new grille, new bumper, new front wings and a re-shaped bonnet. The bi-xenon headlights are also joined - rather inevitably - by LED running lights and a set of LED foglamps.

Out back, VW has trimmed the Phaeton's tail, with new light lenses sitting above a redesigned bumper. Completing the external tweaks are new alloys wheels.

Inside, the Phaeton gets a new steering wheel and a colour electronic display ahead of the driver and some new trim finishes. Most significant, however, is the option of Google maps for the sat-nav - a first for a VW.

VW has also streamlined the Phaeton range for the UK with just two engines now available two engines, a 3.0-litre V6 TDI diesel developing 237bhp and a 6.0-litre W12 petrol with 444bhp - the 4.2-litre petrol V8 has been dropped but will continue in other markets. Both are available either in standard form or with the 120mm-longer stretched version.

Don't expect to see many W12s, though - VW hasn't sold one 12-cylinder car in the last 203 Phaeton sales... good on 'em for continuing to plug away with it though.

The revised Phaeton goes on sale this August with prices and specifications due to be announced nearer the time.

 

 

[soad]

Starting to look a bit like Audi now, i reckon?!

[Gold]

What happened to the V10 diesel?

[pSyCoSiS]

I admire VW's effort, but really don;t see the point.

The kind of money these usually are, why would someone have one of these over a 7, A8, S Class, XJ, etc.

I'm not being critical, but would genuinely like to know what the attraction is?

[briSk]

facelift you say..?

[Justayellowbadge]

pSyCoSiS said:

I admire VW's effort, but really don;t see the point.

The kind of money these usually are, why would someone have one of these over a 7, A8, S Class, XJ, etc.

I'm not being critical, but would genuinely like to know what the attraction is?

It isn't a 7,8, S or XJ.

In a nutshell, that is the appeal.

Not sure on the facelift though. Too blingy. Phaeton is supposed to be muy subtle.

[rfn]

Gold said:

What happened to the V10 diesel?

It was dropped from the model line-up in 2006.

[Garlick]

I drove a W12 version to BTaP 09 and loved it.

I'd definitely buy one (used) if I was in the market for this type of thing.

[forzaminardi]

There's something about this car I really like. Second hand they're an absolute steal, they look great and are superbly comfortable. Great car, who cares about the brand? In fact I even like that its a VW as it has a sort of "stuff you" vibe about it - the product is more important than the brand.

[ManOpener]

Garlick said:

I drove a W12 version to BTaP 09 and loved it.

I'd definitely buy one (used) if I was in the market for this type of thing.

I would too. Isn't it basically a Continental Flying Spur but £100k cheaper?

Proper second-hand bargains now. If I had the money I'd probably buy a 3-year-old W12 and live in it.

[thehardman07]

Didn't realize (care) they still made these.

But I did see a repeat of Top Gear the other day with Clarkson testing it and he loved it.

[BUG4LIFE]

These are mega as a used buy - if I ever have a bunch of kids and need a lot of space, I'll be getting me a W12 and give it the proper euro look

[LuS1fer]

I will never ever buy a German car with those ridiculously bright LED DRLs. From Polo to Porsche, they look f*****g awful and are a dangerous distraction.

The end.

[toppstuff]

pSyCoSiS said:

I admire VW's effort, but really don;t see the point.

The kind of money these usually are, why would someone have one of these over a 7, A8, S Class, XJ, etc.

I'm not being critical, but would genuinely like to know what the attraction is?

Stealth. Thats what this is about. I prefer the XJ, but I'd take this over the A8 every single time.

[dapprman]

rfn said:

Gold said:

What happened to the V10 diesel?

It was dropped from the model line-up in 2006.

Not surprised. Myself and a colleague were looking at second hand phaetons a few years back and found the stats for the range. There was only about 2 mpg difference between the W12, the V8 and the V10 diesel, which did make me wonder why anyone would buy the latter option. I seem to remember the V8 was quite a bit cheaper than the W12, but presumably the new V6 diesel was quite a bit more economical.

Have seen a couple on the road around Aldgate (great area for car watching) and to be very honest, they are sleepers for the luxury market. On the outside they are very boring looking just like a fatter and longer passat from 5-6 years ago.

[Somnophore]

I think a used W12 with an LPG conversion would be an epic car.

[ArtVandelay]

ManOpener said:

Garlick said:

I drove a W12 version to BTaP 09 and loved it.

I'd definitely buy one (used) if I was in the market for this type of thing.

I would too. Isn't it basically a Continental Flying Spur but £100k cheaper?

Proper second-hand bargains now. If I had the money I'd probably buy a 3-year-old W12 and live in it.

Pretty much the Flying Spur but it does without the twin turbochargers. Even the interior is very similar.

[ZesPak]

Does this means second hand prices (on the pre-facelift) will drop even further ?
They'll need to be offering money to take them out of their hands.

I'm off to the classifieds, these things are already the bargains of the century!

[Not Ideal]

VW sold 1400 Phaetons in China last year - MAD!

[mrclav]

LuS1fer said:

I will never ever buy a German car with those ridiculously bright LED DRLs. From Polo to Porsche, they look f*****g awful and are a dangerous distraction.

The end.

Well that means you won't be buying any new car ever again before too long if you live in Europe, it's going to mandatory on all cars in the EU from 7/2/2011.

Edited by mrclav on Thursday 22 April 14:16

[chippy17]

ManOpener said:

Garlick said:

I drove a W12 version to BTaP 09 and loved it.

I'd definitely buy one (used) if I was in the market for this type of thing.

I would too. Isn't it basically a Continental Flying Spur but £100k cheaper?

Proper second-hand bargains now. If I had the money I'd probably buy a 3-year-old W12 and live in it.

I have been told that a lot of the Bentley is lifted from various Audis, whereas the Phaeton is bespoke...