Volkswagen Plans For An Electric Phaeton To Lead The EV Charge

The VW Phaeton is an odd story for the company, with a long production record of 14 years and just 84,235 cars mostly assembled by hand at the Transparent Factory in Dresden.

The final production example of the first generation was built on location last year in March, and the slot for the flagship VW brand car has been left unoccupied since. The initial plans were for the model to get a successor next year, but we all know the Dieselgate shenanigans have completely messed up the plans for the entire group. Well, not everywhere – because the Phaeton is still alive and kicking for the local Chinese market, where it doesn’t sit atop the roster, as the role has been attributed to the Phideon – a model exclusive to the world’s largest auto market.


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carloslassiter - 9/18/2017 8:14:45 AM

-2 Boost

This can't be serious?

TomM - 9/19/2017 7:16:24 AM

+2 Boost

Indeed it cannot be serious- There is a finite market today for EV's and it appears that we have reached that in the High Price area. Tesla sold 75 Model S cars last month - maybe a glitch - but I think that market is saturated.

The Phaeton would have to be really really expensive as an EV. AND who is going to buy a Volkswagen - when they can get a Mercedes for that price?

MDarringer - 9/18/2017 8:16:13 AM

0 Boost

A frugal (great range) Beetle EV with a Bolt-or-below price would be the way to go. Not a Phaeton EV. Not an iCrozz or some such idiocy. The IDBUZZ is a good idea with a dumb name--call it Microbus--but it will likely be stupidly priced. VW is flailing.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 9/18/2017 8:52:58 AM

+2 Boost

In other news at the Frankfurt motor show Mercedes showed a fuel cell powered GLC F-Cell SUV. It has two electric motors a tiny lithium battery that is 1/10 the size of a car battery and a 4.4kg tank of liquid hydrogen. Range is over 450km and power is 200hp and 258lbft for torque or 147kW. Top speed is 160kph. Considering how little this design relies on battery technology, it could be said if we focused on hydrogen refueling vs recharging stations for EV's we might be further ahead on reducing the reliance on oil and reducing C02 emissions.

vdiv - 9/18/2017 5:33:55 PM

+1 Boost

But you see, "we" have been focused on hydrogen tech. providing double or triple the subsidies relative to plugins and yet HFCVs are nowhere. Even Toyota, the biggest HFCV proponent is basically giving up and pursuing solid state batteries. How many years did BMW waste on hydrogen combustion?

dumpsty - 9/21/2017 3:03:37 PM

+1 Boost

How does liquid hydrogen production costs compare to gas production? Or costs to deliver to the pump?

TheSteve - 9/18/2017 10:55:41 AM

0 Boost

You know what they say: "If you've failed twice, make it an EV and you're golden."

Actually, nobody says that. VW is hoping it. But nobody used that expression.

mre30 - 9/18/2017 1:16:55 PM

+1 Boost

The only thing that would save VW at this point is if they introduced the Euro-market "Golf-Sportsvan" in America.

Goto the volkswagen.de website and see for your self! The 'Golf Sportsvan' is a snazzy extended wheelbase Golf - the answer to our prayers in America!

https://www.volkswagen.de/de/models/golf-sportsvan.html#

Check out the cool 'Sportsvan' video on the website! Cool! #sohotitscool

mpls - 9/18/2017 9:08:45 PM

0 Boost

reviving a turd..

qwertyfla - 9/18/2017 9:32:38 PM

-2 Boost

Yeah another Fat-on. Don't they ever lerned?

MDarringer - 9/18/2017 10:34:09 PM

-2 Boost

They say it's not a Phideon, but it is.

skytop - 9/20/2017 2:31:09 PM

+2 Boost

Why do most all VW's look like they were designed with an erector set?
There is an absence of grace and fine symmetry in their cars.