2015 Volkswagen Phaeton to be lighter and more efficient - report

2011 Volkswagen Phaeton Facelift

Could use aluminum and magnesium

New details are starting to emerge about the next-generation Volkswagen Phaeton which could be launched as early as 2015.

According to Motor Trend, the model will retain its slightly odd position as a luxury car for people who don't want to show off. As one source noted, "Volkswagen doesn't change course between generations of a car. It's always easier to keep the customers you have than to lose them and go find new ones."

Additionally, the model is expected to be significantly lighter thanks to the extensive use of aluminum and magnesium. We can also expect smaller engines with forced induction and cylinder deactivation technology. There's also word of a hybrid and plug-in hybrid variant, but nothing is official as of yet.

Note: 2011 Volkswagen Phaeton pictured

Source: Motor Trend via Autoblog

Strong demand for Volkswagen Phaeton in China
(13 comments)
Volkswagen Phaeton replacement coming in 2015?
(10 comments)
Next generation VW Phaeton to target US and Chinese markets, not Europe
(12 comments)

Add a Comment

Comments (16)

newest first oldest first

Subscribe to comments

HEMI426

I can't wait, perhaps not selling it in europe is the best move

February 15, 2012 6:20 am

report abuse | reply

Gile

"to be lighter and more efficient"... Ok, but weight and efficiency were never a major problem for this car...

-3

February 15, 2012 6:21 am

report abuse | reply

1 reply

mblackner

Yes the were. The car is a tank and that can only negatively impact efficiency. Look it up.

February 15, 2012 3:46 pm

report abuse | reply

SPORTINGUISTA_29

nice VW PHAETON

February 15, 2012 7:15 am

report abuse | reply

Batista

@Gile, what is the problem with this car ? Only problem lies in people. They think that Volkswagen cant produce (almost) premium car, they must produce cars like Golf and Polo... Phaeton is one fine car.

February 15, 2012 7:23 am

report abuse | reply

4 replies

AshleyTankard

It's not that people don't think VW can produce a premium car - of course they can. Bentley, Audi, Lamborghini maybe? People just don't want a massively expensive car that looks like something a junior sales rep can afford. Who would take this over a continental or big merc? There's much better competition.

-1

February 15, 2012 8:02 am

report abuse | reply

1 reply

Bazemk

Dude have u know what car class is? It's ridiculous to say that someone can compare Phaeton and Continental in order to buy. It's like you say i cannot decide what to buy - a VW GTI or a Porsche. There are car classes and you look like you dont know what that is or how much cars cost.

February 15, 2012 11:10 am

report abuse

AshleyTankard

@Bazemk You can completely compare both cars, they're both within ?15,000 of each other new (which isn't here nor there when buying cars of this value) and not far off when it comes to the 6 to 12 month used car market. People would look at both of these and others when looking for cars of this type. "Car classes" are not as clear cut as you seem to think. Bloody children should be filtered off this site with their Top Gear and Xbox given "Facts"

-1

February 15, 2012 1:44 pm

report abuse | reply

1 reply

Bazemk

Bentley Continental starting price in Germany is 184.000 eur. That's about 2 Phaetons for that money. For the prices of Lamborghini or something else go to Google. As for the used car market that's different thing. You can buy there Rols Royce or Ferrari for 30.000 but...

February 15, 2012 4:46 pm

report abuse

benz_man

The Phaeton's biggest problem has ALWAYS been the A8...

February 15, 2012 12:12 pm

report abuse | reply

Grey

the problem with the phaeton is that nobody will buy that VW while for the same price they can get a 7-series, S-class, A8 or Quattroporte! that's why the last Phaeton failed! it looks great, performs great, it's super luxurious but it's still a VW. In that segment people want brand name prestige! Also why are they wasting all that money by creating another product that will be a direct competitor of the VW own Audi A8?!?!?!

February 15, 2012 6:55 pm

report abuse | reply

3 replies

BrianMcKay

You said it all. Why, oh why does Piech want VW to overlap Audi like this? If I had x dollars that would buy an Audi or Merc or BMW, I would not buy that which looks to everyone around me to be a big Passat.

February 15, 2012 8:28 pm

report abuse | reply

1 reply

schizo

May be the CEO of VW is compelled to be driven in a VW badged car when going to the VW HQ and the Passat just doesn't cut it for him.

February 15, 2012 8:45 pm

report abuse

Han Solo

I totally agree...VW should not try to go against it's own premium brand Audi. The VW Phaeton is a superb car...but it is just too huge and heavy and it surely would cannibalize the Audi A8 sales. I love the VW Phaeton...the interior looks and feels much better than a Merc S Class (W221)...but If I had the Money...and If I want to buy an F Segment Luxury car...I would most probably go for a Merc S Class (W221)...because I like how it looks compared to the rest.

February 16, 2012 12:04 am

report abuse | reply

Thedamned

Ahem...why would you think about what everybody else thinks about the car youre driving. If it's a good, well engineered luxury sedan like Phaeton. I think it makes other makes look bland, too common even. In some areas the Phaeton is even better than BMW or Merc. At least it will sell well in China, they understand Phaeton :) Piech created Phaeton, he didn't mind about stepping on Audi's shoes.

February 17, 2012 1:58 pm

report abuse | reply

1 reply

schizo

It sells well in China and in Korea because VW is an imported car. Imported cars carry a plus in the prestige rating. VW markets their cars as "prestige" cars in Asia. That's why VW's sell so well. They are considered entry-level prestige cars.

March 4, 2012 8:39 pm

report abuse | reply