Volkswagen Phaeton could come back to America with diesel power
Click image for photo gallery
When Volkswagen introduced the Phaeton luxury sedan to the US market in 2004, onlookers were left scratching their heads. Who did Volkswagen think they were trying to sell an $85,000 car to compete with Mercedes-Benz? Apparently, most of the car-buying public felt the same way. After only two years of decidedly uninspiring sales, the Phaeton was dropped from the US lineup. During a speech at the Automotive News World Congress, VW of America CEO Stefan Jacoby said that he didn't think the Phaeton should have been discontinued here and opened the door for its return.
If it does happen (and that is a very big if) it would probably be the next-generation Phaeton that comes here. According to VW spokesman Keith Price, if the Phaeton reappears in American VW stores, it would be the short-wheelbase model and it would likely have the 3.0L TDI V6 underhood. However, Keith made it very clear that any discussion of the Phaeton's return is purely speculative. The problem the first time around was a reluctance to consider a "people's car" at such a high price point. Perhaps what the company needs is something unique enough that people will look beyond that. How about a Phaeton with the same V12 TDI that appeared in the R8 concept last month in Detroit? That would make for a very interesting alternative to the Lexus LS600h, don't you think?Gallery: 2007 Volkswagen Phaeton (EU)
[Sources: Automotive News, Volkswagen]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
rgseidl 11:56AM (2/14/2008)
The problem was never the car or even the price tag. It was and still is the Volkswagen badge, which holds zero snob appeal.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2431338956181775827&q=top+gear+phaeton&total=4&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=2
Fiddle with the sheetmetal and the interior a bit, call it the new Audi A10 and it will sell. After all, the Bentley Continental series shares its underpinnings with the Phaeton and is already selling briskly - albeit to nouveau riche soccer players.
Reply
MikeW 12:01PM (2/14/2008)
The Audi diesel V8 makes more power/torque than the 2 valve V10tdi. The V10 is effectively dead, the R10 Touareg not withstanding.
http://www.audiworld.com/news/07/q7-42-tdi-road-test/
The V12 tdi is a 60 degree engine, and probably won't fit. If they dry sump it for height, it is still plenty long, where is the steering rack going to go?
If they push the engine height up, just how high would the hood be for pedestrian 'safety'?
Would VW make a car with pure electric steering [not legal], with twin actuators for steering (got to have redundancy, each one can push/pull)
A V6 diesel seems like a good front drive short wheelbase model (with ZF 8 speed automatic). Maybe with the integral hybrid helper motors?
That is not the model to relaunch the Phaeton in the US right now, if gas hits $5 a gallon things will be different.
At the present VW needs to think 'how do we defeat the Hyundai Genesis?' Answer than, then launch the car. And if gas prices go up (and USD $ goes down), Hyundai can keep the same, under $30K pricepoint, by using a stripper 3.3V6 model, well equipped 3.8 V6 for $40K, and a loaded V8 for $50K.
Larger W12 (double the 3.2 or 3.6 VR6?) Naturally aspirated W16 (scaled off the current W12, not using the Veyron's 86x86 bore stroke) perhaps? But if the W8 Passat didn't perform as expected in the marketplace...
Reply
rgseidl 2:20PM (2/14/2008)
@ MikeW -
they might be able to fit a second turbo stage for that 3L V6 diesel or else, Audi's 4.2L V8 diesel with twin VTG turbos (one for each bank).
Reply
MikeW 7:55PM (2/14/2008)
I have no problem with the V6. It would be nice to have that in the Touareg. That leaves room for VW's 'big brother' Audi to have a V8 tdi Q7. The V12tdi is just a glorious dream
Maybe VW would say, screw it, in regard to mileage and just put this engine in.
http://www.audiworld.com/news/08/rs6-avant-in-depth/engine/
It seems like the germans decided to through as much power into 1/2 cubic meter as possible.
Reply
Cyber Joe 8:39PM (2/14/2008)
Well if VW is looking for ways to sell even fewer Phaetons in the States then it's on the right track. If VW really wants to make a statement, and sell cars, then a V8, V10 or V12 TDI would be the ticket rather than a measly V6 TDI. Buyers want economy without sacrificing performance.
Reply
dean 12:58PM (2/15/2008)
AutoblogGreen suggesting to go to a larger, thirstier engine? Weird.
Yeah, I think the problem is still the image. Offer the V6 diesel alongside the I4 diesel in the Passat, and then we are talking! Make sure it has more than 200 hp, closer to 240.
Reply