Special Offer detail

SUNNY DELIGHT?

Models Covered: (4dr saloon, 3.2, 4.2, 6.0 petrol, 5.0 diesel)

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

As names for cars go, Phaeton perhaps never had the best start in life. The son of the sun-god Helios, when Phaeton ("the shining one") finally learned who his father was, he went east to meet him. He induced his father to allow him to drive the chariot of the sun across the heavens for one day. The horses, feeling their reins held by a weaker hand, ran wildly out of their course and came close to the earth, threatening to burn it. Zeus noticed the danger and with a thunderbolt he destroyed Phaeton. He fell down into the legendary river Eridanus where he was found by the river nymphs who mourned him and buried him. Hardly encouraging stuff and when some commentators heard of Volkswagen’s plans to introduce a luxury saloon they predicted a similarly rapid demise. The Phaeton, whilst never cranking out sales to rival the Mercedes S-Class, nevertheless made some respectable numbers in the UK. Enough to justify the huge and shiny factory in Dresden? Perhaps not, but if you’re after a nearly new luxury car bargain, the Phaeton might yet have its moment in the sun.

The history of the Phaeton is closely tied in with one man: Dr Ferdinand Piech. This former Chairman of the Volkswagen Group is a fascinating character, the son of Louise Piech, Ferdinand Porsche’s daughter, with a considerable pedigree to live up to. With a long and illustrious motorsport track record that included developing the Audi Quattro, Piech was a clinical perfectionist with some unusual habits. He detested air conditioning systems and insisted the Frankfurt Show did without air conditioning. He even carried a personal toolkit so that he could open hotel windows fully to ensure ambient climate! Until his retirement in 2002, Piech seemed intent on expanding the number and scope of the Volkswagen Group’s marques beyond all recognition. SEAT, Skoda, Audi, Lamborghini, Bugatti and Bentley all came under the Volkswagen Group banner and models overlapped, ending up with some strange creations. A Volkswagen that looked like a Lamborghini was built, set a series of records and was then killed off. Then we had a Skoda that was bigger and better equipped than some BMW 5 Series models, before numerous Volkswagen and Audi models in direct competition until finally the Phaeton arrived, a £70,000 limousine that shared its badge with a £7,000 shopping trolley. Two models were introduced in May 2003, the 3.2-litre V6 and the 6.0-litre W12 with the 4.2-litre V8 and the mighty 5.0-litre V10 TDI diesel following soon afterwards. Long wheelbase versions were announced in May 2004 and by the Autumn of that year, there was a 3.0-litre V6 TDI diesel for buyers to consider. The facelifted Phaeton hit the showrooms in September 2007 with tweaked headlamps and a reprofiled bonnet. The centre console was also redesigned and the Pheaton received an upgraded 3.0-litre TDI engine with 230bhp and a 29.5mpg average economy.

The interior will be familiar to most Passat drivers, the layout of many of the controls being similar, but the materials quality is a league removed, the comfort features mind-boggling and the sheer space a distinct revelation. The five-speed automatic transmission’s take up is so smooth that it comes almost as a surprise to see the view outside changing, your inner ear not registering the fact that the car has started rolling. The adjustable damper settings vary between ‘blancmange in the midday sun’ and merely soft, but high speed body control is always kept well in check. The air conditioning is exemplary, most of the airflow being directed through a set of mesh grilles on the top of the dashboard, providing effective temperature control without annoying draughts. There are vents on the fascia itself, and should you require a blast of air, wooden covers slide back automatically to reveal the vents beneath. The 3.2-litre V6 model features a stereo with CD autochanger, ten speakers and a 230-watt output which seems good going until one samples the High End 12/12 system fitted to the W12. This features 12 speakers and 300 watts of music power running through a Dynamic Sound Processing filter. This lets you choose from a number of different sound effects such as concert hall, studio, open air, jazz club and so on. Rear seat accommodation is superb (even if you don’t opt for one of the long wheelbase models), passengers getting their own air conditioning controls but legroom isn’t quite as generous as in the long wheelbase versions of the 7 Series and S-Class. Lesser models feature a conventional three-seat bench, but the W12 gets two individual rear seats that can be electronically reclined. The attention to detail is impressive throughout the Phaeton. Revolutionary construction techniques at Volkswagen’s astonishing Dresden factory have resulted in panel gaps that are incredibly tight, paint that’s as smooth as polished onyx and some interior features that have to be seen to be believed. The front cup holders are a case in point. Just when we thought Saab had developed the world’s most elegant cupholder, the Phaeton aces it. These are activated by depressing a pair of wooden circles in the centre console to reveal rubber-lined recesses. Even the beautifully cast aluminium hinges of the bootlid are worth investigation.

Predicted residual values for the entry-level Phaeton V6 are running around 2% lower than those of an equivalent Mercedes S-Class and about level with the BMW 7 Series so the Phaeton is not going to be the bottomless money pit that some ventured. Early V6 models are now changing hands at around £24,000 although prices for the other variants have yet to settle due to them still being very thin on the ground. Insurance for the Phaeton ranges from Group 16 for the V6 models through Group 19 for the 4.2 V8 and 5.0 V10 and up to Group 20 for the range-topping 6.0-litre W12 model.

Although Volkswagen’s reputation for reliability has taken something of a dent of late, there have been no reliability issues as yet reported with the Phaeton. Most cars will have been well looked after under warranty and only the very highest mileage examples should appear anything other than box fresh.

(approx based on a 2003 3.2 V6) Volkswagen parts used to have a reputation for costliness, but by and large that’s now unfounded. The Phaeton, however, is a big, powerful vehicle and as such parts are often heavy duty items with corresponding prices. Front brake pads are £137 a pair whilst rears are £45 a set. Brake discs retail at £70 for front units with rear units costing £38. An alternator with belt is just over £320 and a headlamp is £410. A starter motor is just over £130.

The 6.0-litre W12 model that represents the extreme of the model range is an astonishing thing insofar as it remains totally focused on the task of being a luxury car. This may at first sound a little odd, but consider how the sporting pretensions of Audi and BMW have affected their brief as luxury expresses in the often-knobbly low-speed ride of the A8 and the 7 Series. The Phaeton makes no bones about the fact that it’s a plutocratic wafter, the chassis raising an unamused eyebrow should you attempt to hurry it through a corner. Although the all-wheel drive W12 can hit 60mph in 6.1 seconds and would run on to over 180mph were it not electronically restricted to 155mph, its key assets are its huge torque, its relaxed air and its silky ride quality. The 3.2-litre V6 cars feel a good deal lighter on their feet than the W12 and will accelerate to 60mph in 9 seconds but the V10 TDI has to be the pick of the range if torque is your thing and should you be able to afford the asking price. Able to hit 60mph in under seven seconds and yet still return an average of 34mpg, this is a car that will worry executives at BMW and Mercedes. The 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine has 223bhp and returns a healthy 29.4mpg average fuel consumption figure so it may well be the compromise choice.

There are a cluster of genuinely modern feeling luxury cars, amongst which can be counted the Audi A8, the Jaguar XJ, the BMW 7 Series and the Volkswagen Phaeton. Of this bunch, the Phaeton probably represents the best value used buy. The V6 has its merits and would seem to be the pick of the range during the steeper part of the car’s depreciation curve, but in a year or two, the V10 TDI diesel will doubtless look very tempting as will the 3.0-litre TDI a little further down the line. When spending this sort of money it pays to do your homework and buy at the right time.

LET’S GO ROUND AGAIN
Volkswagen hasn’t given up with its luxury Phaeton saloon. Andy Enright checks out the latest changes

We’re now well used to the idea of paying over £40,000 for a Volkswagen. The impressive Touareg luxury 4x4 has broken that barrier well and truly, as has the Phaeton luxury saloon we’re looking at here.

Of the two cars, it’s the Phaeton that has struggled to make an impression on the British market, but that’s more to do with the fact that luxury saloon buyers are more badge-conscious than their 4x4 counterparts than any real failing in the product. Still, Volkswagen haven’t given up and we’re looking here at the revised version that features more changes than you might think from a casual glance. From the exterior, only the bi-xenon front lights, LED running lamps, a subtly reprofiled bonnet and new designs for the alloy wheels really give the game away. Perhaps a bigger clue comes with the changes made to the engine line-up. Disappointingly, it’s no longer possible to get the awesome 5.0-litre V10 TDI engine in the Phaeton as this would have required massive investment to pass the latest Euro IV emissions standards: as sales volumes were so small, this wasn’t deemed feasible. Therefore, the only oil burner in the Phaeton line up is a 3.0-litre TDI unit that develops 236bhp, up 13bhp on the old V6 TDI option. This engine already exceeds the tough Euro V requirements that become law in 2009. Otherwise, there are three butter-smooth petrol units to choose from; a 238bhp 3.2-litre V6, the beautiful 4.2-litre V8 that’s good for 332bhp and the mighty 6.0-litre W12 behemoth that cranks out no less than 446bhp. All of these powerplants are also offered in both short and long wheelbase versions. With the extra 120mm discreetly massaged into the car’s wheelbase, you get the benefit of that Club Class seat pitch without looking like a member of a rap star’s entourage. The longer chassis isn’t the only benefit of opting for the long wheelbase version of Volkswagen’s finest. A rear console for operation of the 4Zone electronic climate control is included and there are also rear side window sunblinds, an electrically-operated sunroof and for added discretion, a rear screen sunblind. The car can be specified as a standard five-seater or, should you so wish, in a four seat configuration.

"Set aside the badge snobbery and the Phaeton makes a very effective case for itself"

Whichever wheelbase you choose, you’ll find a number of subtle enhancements to this improved Phaeton. The ‘Front and Side Scan’ system is fitted for the first time. ‘Front Scan’ can bring the Phaeton to a complete stop should the system detect a hazard ahead, while ‘Side Scan’ monitors the area beside the vehicle for any obstacles, the idea being to make lane changing on motorways safer and easier. Should an obstacle be detected in your blind spots, a warning is transmitted to the driver. The information system has also been tidied up, with simplified controls following the lead of both Audi and BMW. A Bluetooth-enabled phone with voice control and the ability to store up to 1,000 contacts is also offered. Set aside the badge snobbery and the Phaeton starts to make a case for itself. The 6.0-litre W12 model that represents the extreme of the model range is an astonishing thing insofar as it remains totally focused on the task of being a luxury car. This may at first sound a little odd, but consider how the sporting pretensions of Audi and BMW have affected their brief as luxury expresses in the often-knobbly low-speed ride of the A8 and the 7 Series. The Phaeton makes no bones about the fact that it’s a plutocratic wafter, the chassis raising an unamused eyebrow should you attempt to hurry it through a corner. Although the all-wheel drive W12 can hit 60mph in 6.1 seconds and would run on to over 180mph were it not electronically restricted to 155mph, its key assets are its huge torque, its relaxed air and its silky ride quality. The interior will be familiar to most Passat drivers, the layout of many of the controls being similar, but the materials quality is a league removed, the comfort features mind-boggling and the sheer space a distinct revelation. The five-speed automatic transmission’s take up is so smooth that it comes almost as a surprise to see the view outside changing, your inner ear not registering the fact that the car has started rolling. The adjustable damper settings vary between ‘blancmange in the midday sun’ and merely soft, but high speed body control is always kept well in check. The air conditioning is exemplary, most of the airflow being directed through a set of mesh grilles on the top of the dashboard, providing effective temperature control without annoying draughts. There are vents on the fascia itself, and should you require a blast of air, wooden covers slide back automatically to reveal the vents beneath. Satellite navigation and ultrasonic parking sensors are just two of the features on the epic standards equipment list. Rear seat accommodation is superb (even if you don’t opt for one of the long wheelbase models), with passengers getting their own air-conditioning controls, but legroom isn’t quite as generous as in the long wheelbase versions of the 7 Series and S-Class. The attention to detail is impressive throughout the Phaeton. Revolutionary construction techniques at Volkswagen’s astonishing Dresden factory have resulted in panel gaps that are incredibly tight, paint that’s as smooth as polished onyx and some interior features that have to be seen to be believed. Taken in isolation, the Phaeton remains a towering achievement. The problem for Volkswagen is that we don’t buy cars in isolation. We compare and contrast. We agonise over what the car says about us. And that, for all the Phaeton’s technical achievements, will remain its Achilles heel. It does so much but says so little. Only a vanishingly tiny proportion of target customers see that as a plus. For those that do, this is an astonishingly effective piece of design.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Volkswagen Phaeton range PRICES: £43,510-£74,770 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 16–20 CO2 EMISSIONS: 248-374g/km PERFORMANCE: [W12] 0-60mph 6.1s / Max Speed 155mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: [3.0 V6 TDI] (urban) 22.1mpg / (extra urban) 37.7mpg / (combined) 30.1mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front/side and curtain airbags / ABS with ESP WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE? Length/Width/Height, 5150/1903/1450mm

NO LONG PHACES HERE
For those who can never have too much of a good thing, Volkswagen present the Phaeton Long Wheelbase range. Andy Enright reports

There’s something about the Volkswagen Phaeton that’s so synonymous with New Europe. The astonishing Dresden factory in which it’s built has become a symbol of nascent Eastern power and the Phaeton itself is a refreshing alternative to the usual Mercedes and BMW choices that now seem so ‘old money’. The plutocrats who really control the finances of the swollen European Union may well be looking upon the Phaeton long-wheelbase with barely disguised envy and checking their car allowances.

This, after all, is a car that says all the right things for any European Commissioner looking for their next set of wheels. The very title ‘Volkswagen’ promotes the fact that you’re a man or woman of the people, weighing in with a little less ostentation than many prestige badges. The Phaeton itself, while featuring class leading engine technology and supreme comfort, even looks agreeably close to a Passat to deflect any suspicion that you’ve got your snout in the trough. What’s more, the long wheelbase body coupled with your chauffeur allowance means that you can settle in the back and relax with a copy of Das Bild en route to the airport. There are even three different models from which to choose. The LWB range opens at £45,760 for the 3.2-litre V6, then comes the £56,540 for the 4.2-litre V8 and the line-up tops out at £74,770 for the W12 6.0-litre. There is no better way of disguising your avarice than a Phaeton W12 LWB. With the extra 120mm discreetly massaged into the car’s wheelbase, you get the benefit of that Club Class seat pitch without looking like a member of a rap star’s entourage. The longer chassis isn’t the only benefit of opting for the long wheelbase version of Volkswagen’s finest. A rear console for operation of the 4Zone electronic climate control is included and there are also rear side window sunblinds, an electrically operated sunroof and for added discretion, a rear screen sunblind. The car can be specified as a standard five seater or, should you so wish, a four seat configuration.

"You get the benefit of Club Class seat pitch without looking like a member of a rap star’s entourage"

The 6.0-litre W12 model that represents the extreme of the model range is an astonishing thing insofar as it remains totally focused on the task of being a luxury car. This may at first sound a little odd, but consider how the sporting pretensions of Audi and BMW have affected their brief as luxury expresses in the often-knobbly low-speed ride of the A8 and the 7 Series. The Phaeton makes no bones about the fact that it’s a plutocratic wafter, the chassis raising an unamused eyebrow should you attempt to hurry it through a corner. Although the all-wheel drive W12 can hit 60mph in 6.3 seconds and would run on to over 180mph were it not electronically restricted to 155mph, its key assets are its huge torque, its relaxed air and its silky ride quality. We’re looking here at the revised version that features more changes than you might think from a casual glance. From the exterior, only the bi-xenon front lights, LED running lamps, a subtly reprofiled bonnet and new designs for the alloy wheels really give the game away. Whichever engine you choose, you’ll find a number of subtle enhancements to this improved Phaeton. The ‘Front and Side Scan’ system is fitted for the first time. ‘Front Scan’ can bring the Phaeton to a complete stop should the system detect a hazard ahead, while ‘Side Scan’ monitors the area beside the vehicle for any obstacles, the idea being to make lane changing on motorways safer and easier. Should an obstacle be detected in your blind spots, a warning is transmitted to the driver. Despite all this technical excellence, it takes a determined mindset to snap out of judging this car as a Volkswagen and instead pitching it against the very best luxury cars in its class. Can the Phaeton W12 really put a lick on long wheelbase rivals such as the Mercedes S600L or the BMW 760iL? It’s a tough task, but the Phaeton certainly brings a fresh approach to the sector. The S-Class is usually identified as the best on this particular block, but the Phaeton manages to make the Mercedes look a little old hat and gets the job done without the technological or stylistic affectations of the 7 Series. The interior will be familiar to most Passat drivers, the layout of many of the controls being similar, but the materials quality is a league removed, the comfort features mind-boggling and the sheer space a distinct revelation. The five-speed automatic transmission’s take up is so smooth that it comes almost as a surprise to see the view outside changing, your inner ear not registering the fact that the car has started rolling. The adjustable damper settings vary between ‘blancmange in the midday sun’ and merely soft, but high speed body control is always kept well in check. The air conditioning is exemplary, most of the airflow being directed through a set of mesh grilles on the top of the dashboard, providing effective temperature control without annoying draughts. There are vents on the fascia itself, and should you require a blast of air, wooden covers slide back automatically to reveal the vents beneath. The long wheelbase version of the Phaeton strikes a lot of sweet notes. It seems to gel better than many other long wheelbase conversions. If you want a car that shouts status, it won’t appeal but for those that need to keep a lower profile it’s nigh-on perfect.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Volkswagen Phaeton long wheelbase range PRICES: £45,760-£74,770 - on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 18 –20 CO2 EMISSIONS: 293-374g/km PERFORMANCE: [W12] 0-60mph 6.1s / Max Speed 155mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: [V10] (combined) 34mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front/side and curtain airbags / ABS with ESP WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE? Length/Width/Height, 5270/1903/1450mm

BIG OIL
Volkswagen’s Phaeton range has unfortunately found itself filed under ‘Speciality Interest.’ Perhaps a recent package of changes will broaden the appeal of derivatives like this 3.0-lItre V6 TDI diesel variant. Andy Enright reports

If you’re successful, refined and know quality when you see it, Volkswagen are targeting you with their latest Phaeton range. If, on the other hand, you have a family tree that doesn’t possess too many branches, you may well be able to count the number of Phaetons sold in this country last year on one hand. In order to broaden the car’s appeal, Volkswagen have recently introduced a package of changes to boost the appeal of derivatives like this 3.0-litre V6 TDI turbo diesel version. I suspect they may need to do a little more.

Keeping prices to around £43,000 (or £45,760 for the long wheelbase version) has proved to be a good start. That at least should get a few more people into the showrooms to appreciate a package of recent improvements that run further than you might think from a casual glance. From the exterior, only the bi-xenon front lights, LED running lamps, a subtly reprofiled bonnet and new designs for the alloy wheels really give the game away. More importantly, Volkswagen’s clever ‘Front and Side Scan’ system is fitted for the first time. ‘Front Scan’ can bring the Phaeton to a complete stop should the system detect a hazard ahead, while ‘Side Scan’ monitors the area beside the vehicle for any obstacles, the idea being to make lane changing on motorways safer and easier. Should an obstacle be detected in your blind spots, a warning is transmitted to the driver. With the deletion of the awesome old V10 TDI from the Phaeton line-up, this V6 TDI is now the only diesel option for Phaeton buyers, hence a 13bhp power boost to 236bhp. It’s tough to see too many customers stumping up thousands more for the vastly inferior 3.2-litre V6 petrol version, as the diesel has it licked on virtually every score. Not only is it a good deal more economical but it’s better to drive. With over 330lb/ft of torque on tap from as little as 1,400rpm, this Phaeton packs more muscle mass than a 4.5-litre Porsche Cayenne V8. This makes it particularly swift when undertaking merge and overtake manoeuvres. The 0-60mph time of around 8.6 seconds doesn’t seem anything too special, but once underway, this engine shows its clout. A six-speed tiptronic automatic gearbox allows the driver to marshal things when in the mood and leave it to its own devices when wafting about. Fortunately, wafting is something the Phaeton V6 TDI is rather good at. You’ll only really hear a slight clatter from the engine at start up and this soon settles into a refined background thrum. Anybody who knows their cars will always be able to tell that this vehicle drinks from the black rather than green pump, but it’s a car that revels in its fuel type rather than attempt to mimic the characteristics of a petrol powered car.

"For the money being asked, nothing really gets close.…."

Carbon dioxide emissions are pegged at 259 g/km and top speed is listed at 145mph. One of the most enjoyable aspects of the Phaeton V6 TDI is the car’s impressive range. Averaging almost 600 miles between tank fills, it’s an excellent motorway car, the 4Zone climate control and the air suspension making it one of the most comfortable cars money can buy. For the money being asked, nothing really gets close. The Phaeton is the brainchild of Dr Ferdinand Piech, the former Chairman of the Volkswagen Group who, until his retirement in 2002, seemed intent on expanding the number and scope of the Group’s marques beyond all recognition. SEAT, Skoda, Audi, Lamborghini, Bugatti and Bentley all came under the Volkswagen Group banner and models overlapped, ending up with some strange creations. A Volkswagen that looked like a Lamborghini was built, set a series of records and was then killed off. Now we have a Skoda that’s bigger and better equipped than some BMW 5 Series models, numerous Volkswagen and Audi models in direct competition and this limousine that shares its badge with a shopping trolley. Set aside the badge snobbery and the fact that this car does bear a resemblance to the more workaday Passat and the Phaeton starts to make a case for itself. It’s certainly refreshing insofar as it remains totally focused on the task of being a luxury car. This may at first sound a little odd, but consider how the sporting pretensions of Audi and BMW have affected their brief as luxury expresses in the often-knobbly low-speed ride of the A8 and the 7 Series. The Phaeton makes no bones about the fact that it’s a plutocratic wafter, the chassis raising an unamused eyebrow should you attempt to hurry it through a corner. The interior will be familiar to most Passat drivers, the layout of many of the controls being similar, but the materials quality is a league removed, the comfort features mind-boggling and the sheer space a distinct revelation. The five-speed automatic transmission’s take up is so smooth that it comes almost as a surprise to see the view outside changing, your inner ear not registering the fact that the car has started rolling. The adjustable damper settings vary between ‘blancmange in the midday sun’ and merely soft, but high speed body control is always kept well in check. The air conditioning is exemplary, most of the airflow being directed through a set of mesh grilles on the top of the dashboard, providing effective temperature control without annoying draughts. There are vents on the fascia itself, and should you require a blast of air, wooden covers slide back automatically to reveal the vents beneath. Rear seat accommodation is superb, particularly of course with the long wheelbase version. Moreover, the attention to detail is impressive throughout the Phaeton. Revolutionary construction techniques at Volkswagen’s astonishing Dresden factory have resulted in panel gaps that are incredibly tight, paint that’s as smooth as polished onyx and some interior features that have to be seen to be believed. Even if the V6 TDI model were to continue to double Phaeton sales, the car would still be the most peripheral of bit part players in this country. The harsh truth seems to be that Volkswagen have found the limits of their badge equity. If you don’t care what label your luxury car wears and judge the Phaeton V6 TDI on a purely objective basis, it’s a winner virtually all the way. The problem is, you’re in a blinkingly tiny minority. Call that a lesson learned.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Volkswagen Phaeton V6 TDI range PRICE: £43,410-£45,760 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 16 CO2 EMISSIONS: 259g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 8.6s / Max Speed 145mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 29.4mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front/side and curtain airbags / ABS with ESP WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE? Length/Width/Height, 5150/1903/1450mm