VW's Phaeton was not a success for VW in the U.S. The company planned on only selling 20,000 of them, but they only managed to sell a quarter of that amount when they pulled the car in 2005. Even with though the car barely managed to register on the sales screen, the company is moving forward with the next version of the car.
The next 2010 Volkswagen Phaeton will use many of the same parts as the Audi A6 according to VW boss Martin Winterkorn. This means that the new car will be smaller and cheaper than the first generation. This should bring it closer to the most expensive Passat and close the current gap in the Volkswagen line-up.
VW has learned from many of their mistakes with the first Phaeton and they will not repeat them with the 2010 car. The previous car weighed too much, had poor performance and gas mileage. The VW name also does not have the same prestige as the Audi name, so it was harder for them to sell an expensive luxury car under the VW name. The new Phaeton will also not compete with the Audi A8, since the A8 will be a lot larger.
Full Story: Motor Authority
Comments (11)
I don't get it. Its just another boring grey German box that looks like all the others already on the road.
What would make anyone want to buy or even write about this car?
Posted by Niz | April 23, 2007 8:39 PM
Posted on April 23, 2007 20:39
Well, good for VW. The original Phaeton was a *gorgeous* car, but way out of VW's market in both price and size (and, as a owner of VW, I told this to my VW dealer *before* the car even hit the sales floor).
The only possible fly in the ointment for VW is if this new Phaeton has not differentiated itself enough from its A6 "father" - it must be a different car, with a different character, or buyers will simply go directly to Audi to get the same car with a more upscale nameplace.
Time will tell.
Posted by Snake | April 23, 2007 8:40 PM
Posted on April 23, 2007 20:40
I think the Phaeton was great. It was designed a lot better than the Audi A8 and I would rather buy from VW than Mercedes or BMW because I frown upon them. Despite the Phaeton's tag price, it was reviewed by many and was considered in a league of its own. There is specualtion that the Phaeton will return to the US in 2010, but as a smaller version.
Posted by Josh | January 22, 2008 10:48 PM
Posted on January 22, 2008 22:48
I think the Phaeton was great. It was designed a lot better than the Audi A8 and I would rather buy from VW than Mercedes or BMW because I frown upon them. Despite the Phaeton's tag price, it was reviewed by many and was considered in a league of its own.
Posted by Josh | January 22, 2008 10:49 PM
Posted on January 22, 2008 22:49
I own 2005 Phaeton and it's a Bentley for half price.
Posted by Bubba | March 8, 2008 1:59 PM
Posted on March 8, 2008 13:59
I own 2005 Phaeton and it's a Bentley for half price.
Posted by Bubba | March 8, 2008 2:00 PM
Posted on March 8, 2008 14:00
I own 2005 Phaeton and it's a Bentley for half price.
Posted by Bubba | March 8, 2008 2:00 PM
Posted on March 8, 2008 14:00
I own a 2006 Phaeton and love the car. Hope Volkswagen brings it back to the USA. The car is the beautiful. Would buy another.
Posted by doug | March 11, 2008 2:16 PM
Posted on March 11, 2008 14:16
I own one of 235 2006 model year Phaetons and can attest that this car is simply fantastic in every way. Mine is white with beige interior, now at 13,000 miles. My friends are shocked that this is a VW at all. It is like no other car, seriously. It's fast, tight, reliable, big and comfortable -- and the interior workmanship is like no other car on the road save for a Bentley, which VW owns! The engineering on the inside is beyond Mercedes or BMW. In fact, I've often said that they should have brought the Phaeton out as an entry level Bentley. I don't care about the VW badge that seems to bother so many people. It's a very cool car to have because of it's rarity. Whenever I gas up, people come over to chat and ask questions because they don't recognize it. VW pulled it too quickly in my opinion. And when they bring it back to the U.S. as a 2009 or 2010 model, I sure hope they don't chop the wheelbase or power it down in any way. I suggest satellite radio and a better navigation system such as Garmin.
Posted by 7kidchaos | May 26, 2008 10:24 AM
Posted on May 26, 2008 10:24
Ditto to 7kidchaos. I have a 2004 V8 black/beige and you said it all. I have had mine for 9 months now and am STILL blown away by it. And for all those people who tend to talk it down have NO idea what they are talking about because they have not been driven in one. Even my brother who drives a Cayman and loves to criticize anything that isn't a Porsche drove my Phaeton and returned EXTREMELY impressed. I'll soon take it to a road I know of where I can "open it up" and see how fast I can take it. My last experience on this road was on my Katana 1100 at 150 mph. I've got a new goal to set : )
Posted by Ric | June 9, 2008 9:16 PM
Posted on June 9, 2008 21:16
The report states that Phaetons have poor performance.
I own a 2005 V8 silver/dark gray and drive it every day. The car will effortlessly go from 0-60 in less than 7 seconds, or from 50 to 80 in about 2.5 seconds and isn't at all afraid of rain, snow or ice.
The kids who dry the cars off as they exit the car wash clap when I turn the traction control off and spin all 4 wheels and slide sideways on my way out of their parking lot. (The wet tires on dry pavement seem to be a volatile combination.)
I have embarassed many "punks" in mustangs, etc. in front of their girlfriends.
Last winter I stopped right on a ice/snow crusted hill and asked the driver of a stuck 4X4 if he wanted a ride. He looked at me like I was nuts...until I just drove off... up the hill.
In normal cruising with the windows and sunroof closed, the car is almost silent inside. The Phaeton is the best kept secret in the auto business. A Bentley for the price of a mid-range Benz.
Even with all this fun, I generally average about 17 mpg in town.
It is obvious that the author has never actually driven a Phaeton.
Posted by 357Sig | November 1, 2008 9:01 PM
Posted on November 1, 2008 21:01