FantasyCars Volkswagen Phaeton W12

Volkswagen Phaeton W12

Volkswagen Phaeton W12 Photo 406 It started with the Passat W8. Now VW is pushing up market yet again with the Phaeton, an oversized-Passat look-alike that wants to rival the S-Class Mercedes and 7-series BMW with better performance and a lower price tag. Its trump card, however, is the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. Unlike the Bimmer and Merc, the VW has incredible traction and security in all conditions and together with the ESP system, it sticks to ice and snow like glue (well, not exactly, but it's really quite good). The well spaced 5-speed automatic transmission and the creamy smooth 420-hp W12 engine are mated nicely and can really move the Phaeton. 62 mph (100 km/h) comes up in less that 6 seconds despite the car's near two-and-a-half ton mass! The suspension uses an adaptive damping system that actually makes the car feel pretty sporty in its firmest settings.The interior also cossets and pampers with trick climate controls, heated and cooled seats and all the other good stuff you'd expect in this class. The rear seat is too small, however a longer wheelbase (by 11.5 cm) version is coming, as is a V10 biturbo diesel (for that added truck feeling?) with 313hp as well as a front-wheel drive V6 and W8. Only the W12 makes it as one of the world's fastest sedans. All in all, the Phaeton looks completely ready to do battle, yet it's main purpose is not to sell itself, rather it is to improve VW's image in order to sell higher end versions of the lower end cars. In the words of Bernd Pischetsrieder, the new chief of VW, "the key thing is not how many Phaetons we sell, but how many people buy V6 Golfs from now on." Do you feel like buying a V6 Golf yet? - by Traian Popescu

See more: Volkswagen Phaeton W12 Photos, Volkswagen Phaeton W12 Technical Data

Volkswagen Phaeton W12 Technical Data

Engine
5998, DOHC 48-valve W12
Horsepower
420@6000
Torque
406@3500-4750
Max Speed
155
Speed 0 60mph
5.7
Speed 0 25mile