Volkswagen Phaeton Facelifted Facelift Spied Testing

Volkswagen Phaeton Facelift Prototype

By Thami Masemola
June 19, 2009 9:00 PM
Filed Under: German, Spy Photos, Volkswagen

Volkswagen took quite a bit of flack for the Phaeton when it was launched in 2002. Critics admitted that it's a really great car but that VW had no business making such a big expensive vehicle and going after BMW's 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz's S-Class when the group had the Audi A8. No amount of bad publicity or sagging sales discouraged VW.

Now a second facelift is in order after the first one was completed in 2007. The 2007 job actually lifted sales and the company is probably counting on this one to do the same before a complete replacement appears in 2011.

From these spy pictures it seems that the front end will benefit from a redesign. So will the rear end apparently. Bumpers, lights and the bonnet should also get a nip and tuck. The front grille is possibly being redesigned to be more in sync with the current VW design language.

A number of engines will be carried over into the facelift while a few new others will be introduced. There is talk of the new Audi V12 TDI and a hybrid making the lineup too to make the car attractive for a possible American debut.

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Tags: Volkswagen Phaeton, Audi A8

VW of America considering two new models - Phaeton returns (22 comments

Comments

N20_Purge

June 19, 2009 9:19 PM

Haha, I new they were going to put a Golf front end of this too... or probably something like that. Anyway, I like the phaeton for the rear lights. When they all light up, it kinda looks like a concept car. I hope the new one has the same effect.

Hardboy997

June 19, 2009 9:20 PM

I dont understand this car. Its like a luxury Passat, based on A8, and with same engines. I preffer a Passat CC 3.6 FSI 4Motion with DSG and all options. Of course they are different segments, like more CLS and S-Class, but even if you only on back seats, it can be same luxury as a Phaeton. I thought VW will finish the production of this model. [sorry for my english]

Edited by user on June 19, 2009 at 9:21 PM

Bristol411S3

June 19, 2009 10:05 PM

It's not based on the A8. It has underpinnings shared with the Bentley Continental and Passat engines plus the big and unique Diesel.

kimbo

June 19, 2009 11:20 PM

lol, you simply no nothing about the Phaeton. And it is a hell lot of a car! Stunning car!

Hardboy997

June 20, 2009 3:34 AM

Maybe I dont know much about Phaetom, because I never had one and probably I wont. I just say, if I would have chance to buy such car, I´d buy a Passat CC :))

kosh

June 21, 2009 3:44 PM

This is longitudinal engine,2.5 tons, full size luxury saloon. The a lan project was design to compete with RR phantom and Maybach on the Continental form, It was supposed to throw S-class out off the road on the Phaeton form. But, w220 hold on the market, and the right now w221 proforms better than phaeton. But the car might be designed too expensive and built in a new fancy factory, can't think how can it sitll battle on the S-class on a very lower price. or if it want stay on a S-class prise, the only buyer might be the one who lives far north, with snow covers 6 months a year. Sorry for my English too.

politz

June 19, 2009 9:31 PM

i understand vw trying to move upmarket, and i really get the phaeton's role in this strategy, despite its slow sales... people are willing to pay more for a vw than for, say, a ford, because they do see a premium factor in its cars. and even though i'm not that into vw, i must admit it was quite a smart move.

audi being recognized as a 'tier 1' luxury brand after a couple of decades of efforts and porsche being pushed more into the mainstream luxury spectrum, with a broader, more comprehensive lineup, did help the vw brand to fit more comfortably in its new upmarket position.

also, our folks from germany did quite an amazing job with seat and, even more dramaticaly, with skoda, making both brands actual contenders in the mainstream market. by the way, i still hope that vw group will someday bring both brands to america, to fill this slot just below vw.

HEMI426

June 19, 2009 10:18 PM

Has anyone noticed that the wheelbase of this car is a lot smaller than the one of the A8? It just looks too much like a stretched passat, because the bonnet is too small and the front overhang too big. I can see why hatchbacks have short bonnets and mostly frontwheeldrive, but a large sedan like this or the A8 should have a big bonnet and REAR WHEELDRIVE. Common vw/audi, it's a shame to make a car like this and give the basic model frontwheeldrive. Porsche has the pamara now and that has reaR WHEELdrive, just juse that platform for the phaeton/A8. A bigger bonnet and shorter front overhang looks way more elegant. But this is just a facelift, so it won't change and vw/audi probelly never changes front to rear wheeldrive. For example the pheaton has a weelbase of just 2.88 metres, a s class has 3.03 and a bmw 7 series has 3.07 metres and the phaeton has about a front overhang of a metre, a s class or 7 series have about 0.86 metres.

boyke69

June 21, 2009 8:52 AM

I believe the Phaeton comes standard with 4Motion 4WD, although not as good as a normal 4WD or RWD, still better than FWD I guess.

wjaprep

June 19, 2009 10:43 PM

they still make this A8 priced VW? we dnt get these state side any more

kimbo

June 19, 2009 11:28 PM

Look at this car in a different way. It's not an A8 priced VW, but an A8 priced Bentley Continental. So I think it's quaite a deal, huh?

Edited by user on June 19, 2009 at 11:28 PM

daviepops

June 20, 2009 7:50 AM

Perfectly articulated ... this is one seriously good car

jdmgtr

June 20, 2009 12:21 AM

I just saw the Golf front end coming thru the bottom of the bra, and I literally said out loud:

VOLKSWAGEN WHAT ARE YOU DOING?????

RzGTmorio

June 20, 2009 2:12 AM

New restyling? For What? Well... if you (VW) need moore clients i justed you... if you trying new models, no? The money it´s crazy for your (VW) minds.. i think... sorry people fan for VW, but it´s my opinion...

archytype

June 20, 2009 2:28 AM

oh why won't they bring it to the us it would make a fortune?

WildMaverick1200

June 20, 2009 2:55 AM

One more for the RichWagen line. They really should think about changing their name.

BabyMilo

June 20, 2009 4:19 AM

I like the Phaeton, it is a cool car. I just dont want VW to put a Golf front end on it becuase it would just ruin the calss of the car and not suit it at all...

alessandro

June 22, 2009 2:09 PM

Yes! It is a thing the VW should deal with in the case of Golf etc too. Nothing wrong with that "folks ride", they should think just on re-branding issues.

Edited by user on June 22, 2009 at 2:10 PM

tsiebrand

June 20, 2009 11:25 AM

The Phaeton is one excellent car, that´s been confirmed again and again. The only problem this car always had, is the VW badge. People here in Germany don´t want so spend that money on a Volkswagen and a VW image. I had the chance to drive 3 or 4 Phaetons (i worked at a car rental) and I just love it. It´s so smooth and makes a lot of fun! You can see some elements in the interior (like the instrument panel or the a/c)which you can also see in the Bentley Continental on which the Phaeton is based. It´s said to be reintroduced to the US market this year.

Edited by user on June 20, 2009 at 11:31 AM

alessandro

June 20, 2009 7:44 PM

I have had a luck to drive the Phaeton for some 3 hours. Excellent car. The way how VW badge is presented on this car have ruined the success of that marvelous car.

andrewB

June 21, 2009 4:14 PM

i like the car on how it is and everything about it, its meant to be here in australia about a year afterwards, if i was going to get one i would get the 5 litre V10 diesel, it would have alot of pulling power and torque. it doesnt make sense with the V12 diesel from the R8 concept, it would be better in a good size 4WD to tow things with

Schizo0223

June 23, 2009 9:36 PM

The Phaeton actually was on my shopping list for our family car...but we got the E Class instead... You get a really nice car with nice acoutrements and S Class size and prescence on the road for the price of common run of the mill E-Class. But the size (I live in Seoul and the parking is tight sometimes) and the VW name + service infrastructure + resale value put us off.

It is still an excellent car and I stil sometimes think should've bought a Phaeton (in white!) instead of the E Class (a.k.a. the German Taxi...)

isaacu

June 27, 2009 6:39 PM

Like Jeremy Clarkson of "Top Gear", I am a fan of the Phaeton. Its quality is undeniable. Never mind the "2007" facelift. This is the proper "mid-life" facelift. Kudos to VW.

isaacu

runic1

August 10, 2009 12:13 AM

Yes! Volkswagen should bring the Phaeton back to the U.S. with a 3.0 TDI as one of two Diesel options.

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