Volkswagen Phaeton may return to US market
September 17, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Volkswagen is considering the re-introduction of its luxury Phaeton model to the US market.
The car will feature a TDI (diesel) powertrain which VW hopes will be a strong selling point when it reverses a 2007 decision to pull the car after four consecutive years of slow sales.
“I have to admit that it was a mistake to take this car out of the market,” said Mr Stefan Jacoby, CEO of Volkswagen Group of America. “We think that the Volkswagen brand is a good place for this. We are looking at various alternatives for the re-launch of Phaeton.”
Mr Jacoby said that strong demand for VW’s diesel models during the US cash for clunkers program suggests that a diesel Phaeton might work as a high-tech, energy-efficient model.
The VW brand sold about 11,500 vehicles during the program, but it might have sold more if it had not run out of popular diesel-powered vehicles like the Jetta TDI station wagon.
Print it: 
And while you’re at it – bring it to Oz!
Next best fit is the Superb but I’d rather a Phaeton with a V6 TDI.
yes… Bring it in… W12 would be good as well, just because its mad…
Great car but in dire need of an update
Yes looks very similar to the last gen Passat with different tail lights.
One of the most beautiful interiors ever.
You guys wouldn’t really want it to come here, it would be too expensive. You have to remember that this is a limousine, not just a luxury Passat. This thing was meant to move in the same circles as the 7 Series and the S Class, but the idea failed epicly.
The main thing to remember is that in the UK, the 3.0 TDI version starts at £45,000, so by the time it got here it would be about $150,000 or much more. And at the end of the day, it’s not actually a very good car to drive unless you get the W12 version and that would cost almost $300,000.
Would you pay that much for a car that is not better than a much cheaper 7 Series and is also a Volkswagen?
It all depends on where it is manufactured. They could build them in Mexico or South Africa, then they would be reasonably priced.
Alex not all people are badge snobs and some of would actually go for a drive before deciding that its just another Volkswagen. Ive seen one of these while in the US and have to admit the exterior is aging badly, but the interior is exquisite. It looks more up to date compared to the 7-Series but doesnt touch it for driving dynamics.
I doubt they’ll bring it here, it’ll be a failure. No one who can actually afford a car costing more than 200k will buy a VW rather than a MB or BMW. In any case, A8 is a similar car underneath and superior. Having said that, as someone who can’t afford 200k on a car, i’d love to have a Phaeton.
If i win the lottery, i’ll get a Phaeton over all its competitors, love the idea of a well made luxury car without the badge snobbery and worrying about people damaging it. To most casual observer, it looks like a Passat, but for those inside it is such a beautifully made interior with the mechanical refinement to back it up.
I would choose Audi over Phaeton any day. Why should I pay similar cost for VW instead of Audi?
Fernando
Hmmm which Audi would you get for Phaeton money huh? Definitely not an A8 (they start at alot more) and you could get an A6 but with considerably less space and features as standard. Hmmmm I think a Phaeton is looking pretty good to me now :P
I always liked it, and after seeing the Top Gear review I’m even more impressed! I was and still am quite disappointed that VW Aus said no to it (because it was the same period as the Mk V GTI) as I feel it would do abit for their image. I do hope the decision to bring it back to the US has at least earned a conversation in the VW Aus office!
The Phaeton was almost nearly launched in Australia in April 2005. VW actually put out a press release in October 2004 stating “VW Phaeton comes to Australia”.
“Volkswagen, Europe’s most successful car manufacturer, enters Australia’s prestige market segment with the launch next April of the beautiful Phaeton sedan.”
“Volkswagen Group Australia has chosen the long-wheelbase (LWB), V8 powered Phaeton model, featuring extra rear legroom and the most comprehensive level of features.”
“The Phaeton will be available in April 2005 from all Australian Volkswagen passenger vehicle dealers. Two firm orders have been held for some time. ”
Full details here:
http://autoweb.com.au/cms/titl.....ticle.html
It’s sad that they changed their minds at the last minute, just like Cadillac last year.
This car (like a lexus LS460) is akin too automotive wallpaper. Bland as you can get. On the flipside (just like the lexus) it is an over engineered piece of automotive heaven. Engineering wise this car could put any sedan in the world in the shade.
Like some others have said, this car is crying out for a more updated look. The underpinnings deserve a more modern, stylish look!
The VW Phaeton is likely one of the finest cars I have ever had the privilege of driving and I drove both engine types, the V8 and W12. Both cars were superlative in how they drove, how comfortable they were as well how quiet they were while driving. Although similar in shape, this car is definitely not a larger Passat, it is entirely different. The legroom in the rear is cavernous one could nearly live in the backseats and VW actually has custom ordering packages for fulling reclining seats ala First Class airline seats.
Fully heated and vented air-conditioned seats mind you along with dual pane glass, this car is seriously refined and in some ways well beyond what people perceive as being the peoples car (Volkswagen) hence the problem of marketing this particular vehicle in the US and outside Europe.
VW should have probably badged the car as the Phaeton and left off the VW logo – that may have helped, but the diesel angle is a very viable way for VW to re-enter either US and/or Aussie markets- I would own one over a 7 series any day- then again the Audi A8 is a pretty close contender, but just not quite as good.
VW built an entire factory just to build this one car; that is how important this car is to VW and they are not messing around.
Obviously you’ve never driven a Lexus LS.
Obviously you don’t know Phaeton – how could you possibly put anything “Lexus” in the same context as Phaeton?
Apples and Oranges anyone?
The Phaeton is a far better vehicle to the Lexus. One only need sit in one vs. the other to see that yet driving one over the other is light years in difference; the Phaeton is a stellar automobile. I would say only the large Mercedes gives it a run for the money and it is certainly on par with the 7 series BMW.
As noted before, the only trouble with the Phaeton is the VW logo on the front of the car. People just cannot get their minds around the fact this is a Volkswagen and rightfully so as they have marketed themselves as the peoples car. I mean even Mercedes had the sense to keep their name off the Smart car.
+1
That ppl that are saying that S class; 7 series; A8; and over the top Lexus aare best than the Phaeton are just like the majority of retarded ppl that doesnt know to apreciat a car for it self! Blind ones that just see badges in fron of the grill and not the car it self! The Phaeton is a engeneering master peice! A work of Art! For thoso who dont know the Phaeton is a Bentley ContinentalGT LITERALY! Just a diferente body style and diferente badge on the grill! And they sell it for the dobble of price of the Phaeton beacause of that Blinds of the Badges!
Just see the Top Gear´s review with Jeremy Clarkson and then make some decent coment without beaing ppl stupidingly blinded by badge markting!