Next-Gen Phaeton Confirmed for 2011

We’ve got no idea why the German edition of Vanity Fair is reporting on automotive news, but apparently an interview published in that magazine with VW-Chief Martin Winterkorn confirms that a Phaeton replacement will be built by 2011, and was picked up by our friends over at the German Car Blog.

Winterkorn goes on to say that it’s “natural we need a Phaeton “, and that “in the luxury class technology is demonstrated nevertheless. A marque such as Volkswagen must be a constant authority - from the Polo to the Phaeton.” Well, that’s according to the horribly unreliable translation software used. Either way, it’s clear there will be a new Phaeton, and that VW won’t back down from making it the most over-engineered car in the world. Get ready for 53 different modes of automatic light adjustment and an electronic dash system that puts the space shuttle to shame

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d1sinfo - 2/7/2007 3:49:51 PM

+3 Boost

WTF Is VW doing?

We get it you can make nice cars. We have heard of Audi, and we know you own one of those other ultra lux companies too.

So now go make some not so worthless. Like more GTI's, diesels, and while your at it bring that pos punto or polo or whatever over here.

iloveGTI - 2/12/2007 6:38:47 AM

+1 Boost

MAYBE IT'S TIME 4 CHANGE

AUTO_UNION - 2/7/2007 3:52:41 PM

+2 Boost

Not good. Passat should be the biggest sedan that VW offers.

hkaudi - 2/8/2007 3:07:22 AM

+2 Boost

Phaeton are making money in Europe and Asia, just not quite as good in North America. German's goverment officials ride in them, HK officials also ride in them.... And the car look fanstastic, Keep the phaeton!

XYZZ - 2/8/2007 7:12:29 AM

+3 Boost

audis after a MERE TWO YEARS exhibit more "black marks" on CR's Frequency of Repair charts than any EIGHT YEAR old TOYOTA, to say nothing of Lexuses.

anyone that THINKS audis are better than lexi is living in a fantasy world.

bmwdrvr - 2/9/2007 10:25:05 PM

+1 Boost

i think the comment is bias, but i dont think its inaccurate, the phaetons biggest problem is the fact that its a VW, nice interior, and everything else. the a8, and phaeton are essentially the same car so the same problems that would apply to the phaeton apply to the a8 except the audi has a luxury nameplate, as do its other platform mates, the flying spur, and gt. but i personally the a8 is a good car in its class no one can argue its in the top 3 best in class

AmazingBimmer - 2/7/2007 4:29:51 PM

+1 Boost

another brilliant marketing idea by VW!. and they complain that they are losng share and dont make money...no wonder.. I think they sold 3 of the current model... WORLDWIDE!

07mcs - 2/7/2007 4:42:44 PM

+3 Boost

They already have Audi's A8 in that size segment. I don't know why they are still coming out with another Phaeton. Whoever is spending the $60K to $70K is not going to buy an oversized Passat.

Heyhuub - 2/7/2007 4:57:12 PM

+2 Boost

It's a briliant car and NOT an oversized Passat.
But i two would rather go for an A8

louisvuittondon - 2/7/2007 7:10:05 PM

+3 Boost

yup Oversized passat. Hard for the common person to tell the difference. It should of had its own style. Why would u want a 100k car to look like a 30k car? Nice car nonetheless.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/7/2007 7:47:28 PM

+1 Boost

It is a nice car, but SO stupid. It's heavier, slower, less stylish, and less efficient than the A8L. The Phaeton was dumb from the beginning. Why would VW ever try to target Mercedes?

ryaajus - 2/8/2007 3:40:19 PM

+1 Boost

I don't agree with you. I thought the Phaeton, though not popular at all was a beautiful car. It wasn't Passat like at all.

Neverfollow - 2/7/2007 5:21:20 PM

+2 Boost

This is absolutely false. They already learned this lesson in the not so distant past. They are already working on a replacement for the A8 which will probably be the basis for the new Flying Spur in a few more years down the road, but there will not be a new Phaeton. Since VW is restructuring it's brand groups to: (VW, Seat, Skoda) and (Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, Bugatti) Bentley will begin to share more unseen components with Audi and nothing more with VW.

woood - 2/7/2007 10:28:25 PM

+1 Boost

I hope this is true for VW's sake.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/7/2007 7:48:14 PM

+1 Boost

When did they say they were taking on Lexus?

The Phaeton was aimed directly at the Mercedes-Benz S500.

EL34i - 2/7/2007 8:52:45 PM

+1 Boost

Bitch!

EL34 - 2/8/2007 2:42:25 AM

-2 Boost

Will, the next Phaeton will be a better car than the LS460 ;)

d1sinfo - 2/8/2007 9:24:55 AM

+1 Boost

Although I agree this car is bogus your lust and love for lexus is also mind boggling to me.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/8/2007 9:40:36 PM

0 Boost

The Phaeton had a stunningly beautiful interior and S430-beating performance, but noone noticed. Wrong badge, wrong decade.

phaetonmeister - 2/7/2007 6:38:37 PM

+1 Boost

Much to most peoples ignorance, the current Phaeton is build on the same platform as the Bentley Flying Spur...or should I say the Flying Spur is built on the Phaetons platform. They are assembeled nearly by hand in Dresden Germany.......The current Phaeton has enjoyed decent success in Europe, Asia, and the middle east.

Lexus - 2/7/2007 6:57:14 PM

+2 Boost

The last Phaeton cost like 100+ right? if don't remember wrong. I would I want to buy that a VW Phaeton, when with that money I can get the LS600 hl, BMW 760i, MB S-class or A8. The sales for the last Phaeton was so "Pathetic" they remove from the U.S. market completely.

Lexus

S4cabriofoxone - 2/7/2007 7:50:07 PM

+1 Boost

The Phaeton W12 costed about $95,000, base. It's a good deal next to the $120K A8L W12 and 760Li, and even better next to the then-$130K (now $140K) S600.

But that doesn't mean it's sold well. I've seen one Phaeton W12 in my life.

The Phaeton V8's base price was about $67,000, which was uncomfortably close to the A8 SWB's $68,000 base price.

sjd9346 - 2/8/2007 1:34:34 AM

+1 Boost

Wrong. The V8 was $70k depending on options. A 3 year lease with about 1200 down was approximately $750.00 depending on mileage etc. This is about 40% or so less than an S Class, 7 Series and still substantially less than a comparably equiped A8.

Larry - 2/7/2007 8:22:03 PM

-4 Boost

The next Audi A8 why buy a A8 when you could have a phaeton.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/7/2007 9:44:43 PM

+1 Boost

Because...

1. It weighs less

2. It's going to be faster/better-handling

3. It's going to have a nicer interior (as it does now)

4. It's going to have more useful technology

5. Better reliability

6. Last, but DEFINITELY not least, the badge. On the contrary, why buy a Phaeton when you could have an A8L for such a small difference in price?

tak21 - 2/7/2007 9:45:07 PM

+3 Boost

uh... the bottom line is vw phaeton is just a bastard child of a8. i prefer a8 or bmw 7. i just dont understand why buy vw...

sjd9346 - 2/8/2007 1:21:40 AM

+2 Boost

The Phaeton shares many more components with the Bentley than it does with the A8. It is a completely different car than the Audi. It offers incredible quality, a fantastic ride and the extra weight gives it a planted down feel. No, it is not as fast, it does not handle as well. I drove all the big sedans and could have bought any, but I picked up an 05'Phaeton and it has been bullet proof. When I want something sporty, I drive my 996 coupe. Until you have driven the car, don't knock it. It is one hell of an over engineered car.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/8/2007 9:42:04 PM

+1 Boost

I love it, too, but...

"It offers incredible quality, a fantastic ride and the extra weight gives it a planted down feel."

The A8 offers incredible quality, a fantastic ride and it doesn't need extra weight to give it a planted-down feel. The Phaeton is heavier than a BMW X5.

Larry - 2/8/2007 12:28:57 AM

+1 Boost

Volkswagen is in trouble I don't think VW can wait 10 years or make a profit on the phateon, if porsche did not have the money to bail out VW, Volkwagen could be brought by one the few profitable auto makers like toyota. BMW could buy Bentley.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/8/2007 9:43:35 PM

+1 Boost

Audi is going to be shifted with Bentley, Bugatti and Lamborghini in their own group. Audi will be the controller of those brands, and hopefully, they'll give Bentley a twenty-first century flagship, Bugatti a low-cost project (relatively), and Lambo, well, Lamborghini is already doing well.

SixxFive - 2/8/2007 12:38:14 AM

+1 Boost

Just when I hope VW is on the right track again, I read information that takes away the hope...VW should focus it's resources on it's core line up instead of trying to compete with Lexus, etc. Winterkorn also mentioned last week that he thinks the current Golf/Rabbit's design is too progressive....WTF!!???

mobiustech - 2/8/2007 12:59:28 AM

+2 Boost

Trippin. the Phaeton for those that took the time to drive it, was a stunning vehicle. I think VW needs this sort of car but don't have it to compete with the Audi A8L. Love to see it back here again.

MunichRob - 2/8/2007 4:35:05 AM

+2 Boost

VW doesn't need to become or prove themsleves as a luxury company, they already do this with Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini & Audi.

XYZZ - 2/8/2007 7:25:53 AM

+1 Boost

even IF vw/audi could match toyota in reliability (a HUMUNGOUS "If"), I'd be scared shitless to touch that W12.

saw on a web site that just to change a thermostat on the VR6, you had to halfway pull the engine out! changing a 'stat on a NORMAL engine is just a 10 minute job!

i can only imagine what a horror it would be, to pay for ANY labor on the W12. what were they thinking, designing that montrosity? RADIAL engines (even 1/2 radials) belong in AIRPLANES, not cars.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/8/2007 9:45:28 PM

0 Boost

What does reliability have to do with anything?

Is that all you have to talk about?

And why do you put Audi in the same light as VW in terms of reliability?

VW is the second or third least-reliable car brand right now. Audi is far ahead, usually matching BMW. In other words- VW is below average, and Audi is average.

XYZZ - 2/9/2007 4:54:27 AM

+2 Boost

yeah, reliability is SUCH a minor issue with german fans.

as to what it has to do with anything-- it's probably NOTHING to spend several $1000s/YEAR on maintenance and REPAIRS. vs. spending a FEW HUNDRED for each DECADE. as i (and 1000s of others) have managed with toyotas.

Rupert - 2/8/2007 5:28:00 PM

+3 Boost

the phaeton wasn't designed to compete in america so much, more to be simply the most over engineered car in the world. badge aside, it is a good car, and I would consider one. (massive discounts available)

Steve - 2/8/2007 10:39:54 PM

+3 Boost

This VW is a good car. The point is very few people will pay $100K for a Volkswagen, no matter how good it is. VW needs to take a lesson from Honda (Acura),Toyota (Lexus), Nissan (Infinity), Mercedes (Maybach), that when you want to break into a much more upscale market, branding is a BIG consideration.

They would have been much wiser to leverage the Audi Brand, rather than trying to use VW.

Sad. This really good car is under-recognized, and will fade into obscurity, solely because it's a Volkswagen.

dumpsty - 2/9/2007 9:00:46 AM

+2 Boost

Just like some people will prefer to purchase a Taurus over a FiveHundred. There is a market for the Pheaton.

Pheatons are beautiful, I'll admit. But the cost to purchase and maintain is shocking. It shouldn't more than the Touareg V-8.

answer - 2/9/2007 1:32:34 PM

+1 Boost

The Phaeton was a very nice car that was made irrelevant by being priced close to the truly great A8.

Since a lot of people think the Phaeton's price was too high for a VW, do you think there is still some market for a VW sedan above the Passat? Maybe just not so much above.

I think a car slotted above the Passat that peaks at a little under $50k fully loaded could do well. Or maybe even just an attractive Passat coupe would be a nice flagship for the VW brand.

Rupert - 2/9/2007 6:56:14 PM

+1 Boost

what like an a6/e class sized vw?
it could happen, as long as they get the pricing right.
but then again perhaps the touareg already fills this brief?

Loki123 - 2/9/2007 2:07:30 PM

0 Boost

Looks like a cheap Audi - oh wait - it is.

aussiecarnut - 2/9/2007 8:49:39 PM

+1 Boost

by no means is it cheap. compare the Touraeg to the Porsche Cayenne, and many will say that overall the Touraeg is the better car, and built just as well. As an Audi fan myself I'd at first glance rather have the A8, however I wouldn't completely rule out the Phaeton. Check out the Top Gear video on the old one and they give it an alright review.