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.
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