2009 Volkswagen Phaeton facelift spied
June 19, 2009 by George Skentzos
It seems Volkswagen is set to refresh its aging Phaeton flagship one more time before the all-new model makes its debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.
The prototype in these photos is set to be unveiled at this year’s Frankfurt Show boasting mostly subtle cosmetic modifications.
The extent of the updated design should see changes to the front bumper, grille and headlight-units and might also include slightly re-designed tail lamps.
Sources have speculated that a V10 or V12 TDI may find its way into the range to complement the existing 6.0-litre W12 petrol engine found in the current flagship Phaeton.
*****PRIMO!*****
This was suppose to come to Oz but they pulled the pin right at the last moment.
Not far to travel if you want one, for sale in NZ.
A great car by all reports, good as the other german sedans without the badge snob issues
Pity, would have been great for $29,990 driveway!
Cheers
F-0
Yeah Topgear gave this a huge rap for quality,performance,tech and attention to detail.
U really have it in for VW eh Fugal?
I don’t understand the point of this vehicle, I mean sure its a nice car, but isn’t this stepping in Audi’s territory?
Nice car no doubt…wasn’t this the car that was meant to take the fight to the “old guard” Mercedes & BMW.
Surely VW must be bleeding money on this car given that it would have cost a bomb to R & D vs sales.
I’m surprised that vw didnt cull this model earlier and now they have the new CC.
if they can sell it in kiwiland why not here. It would make gud competition for the deceased LTD and the Caprice. Although im a local industry man, id like to see Holden have some competiton for their luxo-barges.
When people are spend 200k plus they want a car with BMW, Merc or Audi badge on it
Totally agree with Shak, why do alot of these cars that don’t end up selling here always are available in NZ? Surely we have a way bigger market, it just doesn’t make sense.
This is a brilliant car, only thing letting it down is the looks and the badge but hey VW is considered a premium brand here though ain’t it? It’d seriously outdo whatever the luxury german badges’ equivalent to this is.
Here’s hoping the next generation Phaeton makes it here at least.
I had a look in the NZ website… they even have the scirocco which we don’t get here… Why???
Will this ever comes to Australia?
NZ gets all these cars becaue tehy dont have there own ADR or equivialnt they jsut use the country that it comes from. Thats why they can supply the car to a small market
Jon,
Alot of vehicles dont make it to Australia due to ADR & simply the market not being big enough.
I’m sorry… but if they manage to get a Golf Gti to comply with ADR, it should not be a “that difficult” to make the Scirocco comply with it. To personally import a Japanese Skyline or stuff like that, the cars also have to comply with ADR standards and 500,000 hoons manages alright…
and also i don’t think Aussie market is not big enough if NZ market is considered as sufficient.
There’s one reason this car exists. It sells up a bloody storm in China (pretty sure it has 18% of the Chinese large limo market). It’s does sorta ok in Europe. It’s not sold in America any more (so if you complain you can’t buy it here, please be aware the Americans are deprived as well).
Put it like this… the thing weighs 2.5 ton. It has a 6.0 W12 that could sit at 300km/h all day. It truly is the Veyron of limos.
For some goddamn reason the Chinese love VW and Audi. I think it’s got something to do with the fact that the Mercedes has traditionally been the top dog to Chinese but VW/Audi is more acceptable for govt. use over so that the ‘revolting peasants’ (so to speak) aren’t too upset when govt. officials swan around in Audi A6s and the like.
About NZ. I am envy their system. No local industry, no tariffs, just full on competition. One can only hope that the Australian consumer enjoys such a vibrant market some day.
Chinese love VW as they were the first (western) car manufacturers to setup in China. Therefore Chinese have affiliated the VW as a tried and tested brand!
Side on it looks exactly like a Holden Caprice/Statesman!
What’s new about the V10 TDI? The original Phaeton’s been available with this engine since the beginning.
Looks like a A8 with a VW badge and a Passat rear
It looks great actually. I’ve heard good reviews on Phaeton…have pretty good chance in competing with other popular cars.
Tony,
You say New Zealand has ‘just full on competition’ because they have no industry…… take a look at the price of some of the new cars….. no local industry = no competition = higher prices