Sunday, June 7, 2009
Yesterday I was in Green Bay in my silver Jetta when this slightly larger VW Passat-like car with very simple, yet elegant styling pulled onto the highway access road. As I turned behind it to get onto the highway, I noticed a word I'd never thought I'd see in the US. In front of me was a new VW Phaeton, probably modified to be US-legal or slipped through to the states on Ebay or something like that. I think the reason we don't have the Phaeton here is because it might take away from the sales of Audi in the US, not to mention that they did launch it here but sales failed miserably, but I wanted to find out what we are missing not having the Phaeton.
For those of us who don't know, the Volkswagen Phaeton is Europe's top-quality luxury VW, one step up from the CC. For the UK market, it comes either with a diesel V-6 or the famous six-liter W-12. Surprisingly, the W-12, which takes regular gas, gets around 27 MPG on UK tests, and the V-6, being a diesel, gets a little over 37. The V-6 also has an amazing 369lb/ft of torque at only 1500 RPM; the W-12 has 413 at 2750 RPM.
In terms of luxury, the Phaeton is unmatched by any other car to come out of the Volkswagen brand, with leather, a chrome grille, heated and cooled seats, 18-way adjustment on the front seats, top-quality materials, etc. The quality is reflected in the price: the base model costs the equivalent of 70,527.27 USD, with the top version coming in equal to $120,194.66 without options. Everything is understated inside, a clock reminiscent of those on Maseratis keeps watch on the time everywhere you go. The controls are simple, visibility is excellent from the leather seats. This sedan has all emphasis on the driver.
On the outside, the Phaeton is extremely understated. VW made no effort to make this car look different from all the rest, and that has an appeal that no Bentley or Maserati can match. The front is much like a Passat, the rear has Jetta-like lines and lights. But the Phaeton is larger and has real chrome instead of plastic and metal trim. Overall, this is an understated car that meets and beats all expectations that your eyes fool you with. It's the perfect definition of a sleeper, and when that W-12 comes to life, bringing 450 horsepower to your fingertips, you can fly by any unsuspecting Bentley Continental Flying Spur or Maserati Quattroporte you want, and do it in the supreme quiet and luxury of your Phaeton's interior.
Why not have this car in the United States? It beats every Audi in every way.
