volkswagen phaeton

The next-generation Volkswagen Phaeton - which may be previewed by the C Coupe GTE concept shown here - will be an all-electric vehicle that will set the tone for the future of vehicles from the German brand. Speaking to the media at today’s Tokyo motor show, Volkswagen CEO of passenger cars, Herbert Diess, confirmed the next Phaeton will be available as an electric vehicle only, with the car’s launch pushed back even further amid the decision to go EV only.

The Volkswagen C Coupe GTE concept makes its debut this week at the Shanghai motor show, giving us a good look at what to expect from the company’s forthcoming Chinese-market luxury limousine. At more than five-metres long — close to a Mercedes-Benz S-Class — the concept is clearly previewing Volkswagen’s new-range topping passenger family. And yes, it's actually called a coupe, though we aren't totally sure why.

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. 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.