Photo Rendering: 2010 Volkswagen Phaeton

Looks nice. There is only one small thing they should've changed that will keep it from selling...and it starts with a "V"

It might be a good car but it will just not sell enough to make the production of this car a smart investment for VW. It will not do anything to make their image more luxurious.

Boy I hope it doesn't look like that in actuality. That's a tragic mix of Cadillac and Corolla...

way to go VW!! *sarcasm * .. How can one company be so idiotic? Positioning the car bewteen the A6 & A8, why? Let me say this, it DIDNT SELL BEFORE and why would they expect it to change. Am I losing my mind or what?

Well it sure won't come short in luxury as the old one was of high grade and quality. It was just the styling and the badging that made everyone believe the car wasn't a good one.

The new one looks a little more modern but i'm still not sure the model will sell more this time around. It's embedded in most consumers minds that Audi is the luxury brand not the people's car.

Look very similar to Cadillac CTS and the Acura TL.

It might sell well in China.

I think so too. I think the Chinese will view this car as a luxury car that does not need the brand to gain respect. If it's such a people's car the brand cares more about the people in it than the people outside looking in. Obviously they won't see the interior in detail like the driver and passengers but on the exterior it will appear to be a fairly normal but large car.

I think some Chinese may buy it to not look so flashy but it think it's a little too understated for MOST Chinese since flash and showing off success and fortune is a big thing. Money = power = image = respect. That's how I see it. In a "CHINESE" point of view of course. And I am Chinese so i'm not making this up.

The design is nice. The brand that makes it isn't.

That should be the updated RL.

I agree with you. In Europe, VW could have pulled it off, selling a luxury car under a lower-class name because VW has a better name in Europe. In the US however, well, let's just say that VW hasn't given themselves a good image, let alone a luxury car image. They should have sold it as an Audi, but the A8 and the Phaeton are the same. Basically, there's no place in the U.S. car market for the Phaeton.

I think it is a 'people's car' in a sense that it's quality build is up to par in today's high demands. It has luxury and it has comfort, the most important elements to a full size luxury sedan. HOWEVER, it's the badge that deters consumers to keep a blind eye towards the Phaeton. I've seen a few on the roads but the more I looked at it the more I respected it. The owner was a modest looking gentleman and I happened to see that he lived in a mansion in my area.

The only major cue on this design is that the rear reminds me of a Lucerne. Other than that I think the car is just OK. Not great looking but not the worst I have seen out there. It is understated luxury but I thought the A8 filled in that gap. I'm sort of confused why this model was even made but we can't make it go away so I have found it in me to give it some respect for what its qualities are and not the badge.

Image wise the A8 no doubt will take out this Phaeton like it never existed. The VW image was never known for Luxury eventhough some models attributes could be seen in Audi models.

All in all a decent car but the styling should be changed and the price should be lowered. Maybe someone will buy it then. I'm sure some will but it won't be a top seller on any lists that's for sure.

-Agent63
My 2 cents

Why do they even bother with this car?! A smart person would just add a bit more money and buy an A8. A8 will always outsell a Phaeton, it's not a surprise. It may be a good car but people will still choose Audi over it any day.

I've made my choice and now i'm driving a Phaeton since 1 year and i'm very happy with it although the new design does not hit my taste. I also know many people who were impressed about the driving comfort because its better than with an A8. VW and Audi is basically the same company and they share mostly the same technology - the only thing is the emblem and Audi is a little bit more sporty than VW. I'm from Austria and here the Phaeton has a good image. I've no problem if people think VW is a car for the mass, i knew the Phaetons unique characterictics very well and will not miss this comfort any more.
Pete