Press Release
Draught-free 4-zone Climatronic and perfect operating logic in the interior
To make it easier for the driver with accustomed operating steps, there is a central button bar above the standard-equipment infotainment centre, by means of which the 4-zone Climatronic can be adjusted. In addition, the temperature for the left and right-hand rear seats can be individually adjusted from the rear. A further button bar permits the driver and front passenger to also control the basic functions of the audio system.
In the horizontal part of the centre console, at the level of the gearshift, are found the manual operating elements for the standard automatically-adjusted and steplessly-variable damping system (including levelling). As is typical for a Volkswagen, the operation of the Phaeton is logically structured: key in the ignition, start, drive off; on request also the keyless access system is also available.
A dominant element in the cockpit is the large vertical centre console. This holds in the middle the infotainment centre with a 7-inch colour display in 16:9 format. This monitor is a real allrounder. By means of eight large basic keys, which via the display are made to activate a number of different functions (soft keys), six further basic function buttons (for adjustment of the Climatronic, navigation system or on-board computer) and a central turn/push button, practically all running gear, comfort, audio, TV, navigation, on-board computer and telephone functions are very easily controlled.
As a supplement to the separate key-bars, in the audio menu for example various sound characteristics can be selected, such as "studio", "surround" or "concert hall", and other fine adjustments. For the Climatronic too, adjustments going beyond the most frequently-used basic functions are made via the infotainment centre. The separation of basic functions (button bars) and fine tuning (infotainment centre) results in a very practical mode of operation.
Biggest solar sliding sunroof with speed-sensitive wind deflector
A further possibility for controlling the atmosphere in the Phaeton is offered by the sliding sunroof. It may be had in both glass and solar versions as an option. The sunroof is operated via a preselector in the roof-mounted console. The solar sunroof is the biggest of its kind on the market. The 28 integrated solar cells provide 24 Watts of energy, which is also used to power the electric fan when the vehicle is at a standstill. In the summer this reduces the interior temperature by up to 20 degrees. Unpleasant air currents and loud wind noise when the roof is open are prevented by a speed-sensitive, electronically-controlled wind deflector.
Ideally placed for the driver to oversee and to operate are the instruments, the equipment-related multi-function steering wheel (on V10 TDI and W12 including Easy-Entry system as standard) and the lighting controls. The audio system and the on-board computer can also be controlled via the steering wheel.
The Phaeton's interior offers above-average roominess
The Phaeton offers roominess which is above the average. The so-called comfort dimension (space for the occupants), knee-room at rear and shoulder-room at front are all best in class.
Like every other detail, the seating in the Phaeton has also been completely rethought. The front seats can be electrically adjusted via a standard-equipment 12-way system. The operating elements are located at the side on the seat pedestal; adjustment is intuitively via the seat squab, backrest and head restraint perceived as switching elements. On the Phaeton W12, and otherwise an optional extra, there is an 18-way system, in which is integrated a memory function, seat air conditioning via fans, and a massage function provided by the lumbar supports of the backrests.
On request the rear seats move back on entry and exit
There is a choice of two different seating configuration options for the rear. In standard form the saloon has a fixed 3-seater bench seat. At the next level, a 6-way adjustment system and the air-conditioning and massage function can be ordered as an extra. In the most exclusive version Volkswagen offers the Phaeton with two single seats at the rear which can be adjusted via a 10-way system (including memory logic). With this variant an Easy-Entry system has also been integrated for the rear: when the doors are opened the single seats move back ten centimeters, in order to make entry and exit easier. There is also the possibility, in conjunction with all systems, of adjusting the front passenger seat from the rear.
Windows absorb infra-red radiation, thus keeping the interior cooler
To keep the sun's rays, and noises, out, the Phaeton is equipped with heat-insulating, green-tinted, double-layer laminated safety glass. As an extra and depending on equipment level (standard on the V10 TDI and W12) there is also glazing with an infra-red-absorbing layer which insulates even more effectively against a heating-up of the interior, and which can be recognised by its clear colour.
Also as an optional extra, the windscreen can be heated; this is achieved without the use of visible heating wires; instead Volkswagen makes use of a vaporised metal deposit which conducts but remains invisible. Independently of this, in every Phaeton a rain sensor automatically ensures a clear screen. The wiper blades, so-called Aero wipers, are pressed strongly on to the windscreen whatever the speed of the car. A further technical detail concerns the 500-litre-volume luggage boot: as an option its lid can be pulled shut via automatic servo closing.
The car can be even further uprated. The possibilities here include special equipment items such as navigation systems, very high quality audio systems, fixed telephones, TV, automatic distance control, various leather seat configurations, a heated steering wheel and the keyless access lock and ignition system. Finally the Phaeton individualization programme enables the customer to select entirely personal extras, such as the luxury wood species used in the interior.
Bodywork
Volkswagen Phaeton ??????????????????????????????????????? The greatest sturdiness in the upper range
- New saloon is over 5.0 metres long and 1.9 metres wide
- Steel parts 100 per cent galvanised, doors and lids in aluminium
Clear, elegant, stretched and powerful ??????????????????????????????????????? the looks of the Phaeton's silhouette with its forward-placed roof. Even when viewed from the side, the visual effect of the front end is characterised by the xenon headlights deeply recessed into the wings. A further characteristic feature has been created by the unusual design of the third side window, and the C-pillar extending rearwards in coup?????????????????? fashion.
Seen from the front, it is the bold shoulders of the body (outward bulges below the window/roof area), the arrow-shaped contouring of the bonnet, the drawn-down chrome grille integrated into the bonnet, and again the expressive xenon headlights, which combine to produce a characterful front-end styling. The large exterior mirrors are harmoniously and dynamically incorporated, their bottom parts housing LED turn signals and automatic local illumination (coming-and-leaving-home function for safe entry and exit). An extended local illumination (plus dipped headlights, rear lights and number plate lights) can be activated by remote control.
The rear end is marked by very powerful looks, with the body shoulders also looking broad from this angle. The rear lights, with their structured, very bright and also extremely long-lasting LED units, give the car a high recognition factor even at night. A world innovation is Volkswagen's use of two-colour-emitting LEDs as standard, with which two diodes installed on one mounting can be used for several different lighting functions (rear light, brake light and turn signal). This is why the Phaeton does not have "multi-coloured" rear light clusters but ??????????????????????????????????????? with the exception of the white reversing light ??????????????????????????????????????? simply red ones.
A striking feature is the large, slightly convex area of paintwork between the light clusters. Together with the very low rear window, a new styling shape for large saloons has been created here ??????????????????????????????????????? the Phaeton is designed to look not only elegant but also sporty. Even the rear number plate has been incorporated into the design of the Phaeton: As an innovation, it can optionally be had with a self-illuminating electroluminescent foil, which makes the number plate into an integrated component of the (rear) bumper with its discreet decorative chrome trim.
No other saloon is as torsionally stiff as the Phaeton
Measuring 5.06 metres in length, 1.9 metres wide and 1.45 metres high, the new Phaeton is one of the biggest saloons in the upper range. The body, whose steel parts are 100 per cent fully-galvanised, and 60 per cent of which is made of fine steel, has a wheelbase of 2.88 metres. As might be expected, in respect of stiffness, vibrations, passive safety and long life, the bodywork meets the most exacting demands. The outstanding characteristics of its basic structure result among other things from the use of most up-to-date manufacturing processes, such as laser welding.
Running gear, drive and bodywork were designed for up to 300 km/h
Not only the entire running gear and drive train, but also all bodywork components have been designed to cope with a maximum speed of up to 300 km/h. Two of the many positive consequences of this basic design principle are a very high degree of sturdiness and a very low level of driving noise. In addition to high-strength steels, Volkswagen also uses lightweight construction materials for the body. The doors, rear hatch and bonnet are made of aluminium, the windows are double-layered. The doors are a technical masterpiece in themselves: fabricated in a laser-welded aluminium pressure moulding process, they exceed all previously employed structures in their stability. The mudwings, the spare wheel recess and the bumpers are made of tough plastics.
The use of aluminium sandwich constructions in the body shell, a double-layer glazing, newly-developed window guide channels, a sophisticated decoupling of running gear and intelligent engine mountings, have together made the Phaeton a very quiet car. And one of the safest in the world. Eight airbags activating in various stages depending on the impact energy (2 x front, 4 x side, 2 x curtain/window), up to seven inertia reel belts, active front head restraints and the crash-optimised bodywork structure result in a comprehensive passive safety concept. How comprehensive this concept is is shown by the headlight washer system: Its jets clean the right and left-hand headlights one after the other. The result: The usual dimming effect during cleaning is eliminated.
