Volkswagen PHAETON LONG WHEELBASE RANGE
For Those That Can Never Have Too Much Of A Good Thing,
Volkswagen Present The Phaeton Long Wheelbase Range. Andy Enright Reports
Theres something about the Volkswagen Phaeton thats so synonymous with New Europe. The astonishing Dresden factory in which its built has become a symbol of nascent Eastern power and the Phaeton itself is a refreshing alternative to the usual Mercedes and
BMW choices that now seem so old money. The plutocrats who really control the finances of the swollen European Union may well be looking upon the Phaeton long-wheelbase with barely disguised envy and checking their car allowances.
This, after all, is a car that says all the right things for any European Commissioner looking for their next set of wheels. The very title Volkswagen promotes the fact that youre a man or woman of the people, weighing in with a little less ostentation than many prestige badges. The Phaeton itself, while featuring class leading engine technology and supreme comfort, even looks agreeably close to a Passat to deflect any suspicion that youve got your snout in the trough. Whats more, the long wheelbase body coupled with your chauffeur allowance means that you can settle in the back and relax with a copy of Das Bild en route to the airport.
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There are even four different models from which to choose. The range opens at £45,630 for the 3.2-litre V6, then comes the £54,770 for the 4.2-litre V8, rising to £60,930 for the 313bhp 5.
0-litre V10 diesel and topping out at £71,500 for the W12 6.0-litre. There is no better way of disguising your avarice than a Phaeton W12 LWB. With the extra 120mm discreetly massaged into the cars wheelbase, you get the benefit of that Club Class
seat pitch without looking like a member of a rap stars entourage.
The longer chassis isnt the only benefit of opting for the long wheelbase version of Volkswagens finest. A rear console for operation of the 4Zone electronic climate control is included and there are also rear side window sunblinds, an electrically operated sunroof and for added discretion, a rear screen sunblind. The car can be specified as a standard five seater or, should you so wish, a four seat configuration. Although theres no 3.
2-litre V6 engine available in this stretched guise, dont think for a minute that the car has piled on the pounds. The lack of the V6 reflects the cars likely clientele rather than a lack of power. Not that Phaeton LWB buyers will want for motive force. With a choice of 303,313 or 414bhp powerplants to choose from, this
Volkswagen isnt about to get bullied out of the fast lane of the autobahn any time soon.
"You get the benefit of Club Class seat pitch without looking like a member of a rap stars entourage"
The 6.0-litre W12 model that represents the extreme of the model range is an astonishing thing insofar as it remains totally focused on the task of being a luxury car. This may at first sound a little odd, but consider how the sporting pretensions of
Audi and
BMW have affected their brief as luxury expresses in the often-knobbly low-speed ride of the A8 and the 7 Series. The Phaeton makes no bones about the fact that its a plutocratic wafter, the chassis raising an unamused eyebrow should you attempt to hurry it through a corner.
Although the all-wheel drive W12 can hit 60mph in 6.3 seconds and would run on to over 180mph were it not electronically restricted to 155mph, its key assets are its huge torque, its relaxed air and its silky ride quality. Even more astonishing is the V10 TDI diesel engine which will still crack seven seconds to 60mph yet return an average of 34mpg. This turbodiesel generates 542lb/ft of torque.
What does that mean in the real world? A turbodiesel Range
Rover develops 288lb/ft, whilst a diesel BMW X5 manages 302. Pitiful!
Lamborghini Murcielago a limp wristed 480lb/ft. A
Ferrari Enzo hawks up 484lb/ft. The Phaeton V10 TDI outmuscles virtually anything on the road.
The merest twitch of the right foot unleashes a tsunami of torque that makes overtaking ridiculously easy. The Phaeton is the brainchild of Dr Ferdinand Piech, the former chairman of the Volkswagen Group who, until his retirement in 2002, seemed intent on expanding the number and scope of the Groups marques beyond all recognition. SEAT,
Skoda, Audi, Lamborghini, Bugatti and
Bentley all came under the Volkswagen Group banner and models overlapped, ending up with some strange creations. A Volkswagen that looked like a Lamborghini was built, set a series of records and was then killed off.
Now we have a Skoda thats bigger and better equipped than some BMW 5 Series models, numerous Volkswagen and Audi models in direct competition and now this £70,000 limousine that shares its badge with a £7,000 shopping trolley. It takes a determined mindset to snap out of judging it as a Volkswagen and instead pitching it against the very best luxury cars in its class. Can the Phaeton W12 really put a lick on long wheelbase rivals such as the Mercedes S600L or the BMW 760iL? Its a tough task, but the Phaeton certainly brings a fresh approach to the sector. The S-Class is usually identified as the best on this particular block, but the Phaeton manages to make the Mercedes look a little old hat and gets the job done without the technological or stylistic affectations of the 7 Series.
The interior will be familiar to most Passat drivers, the layout of many of the controls being similar, but the materials quality is a league removed, the comfort features mind-boggling and the sheer space a distinct revelation. The five-speed automatic transmissions take up is so smooth that it comes almost as a surprise to see the view outside changing, your inner ear not registering the fact that the car has started rolling. The adjustable damper settings vary between blancmange in the midday sun and merely soft, but high speed body control is always kept well in check. The air conditioning is exemplary, most of the airflow being directed through a set of mesh grilles on the top of the dashboard, providing effective temperature control without annoying draughts.
There are vents on the fascia itself, and should you require a blast of air, wooden covers slide back automatically to reveal the vents beneath. The long wheelbase version of the Phaeton strikes a lot of sweet notes. It seems to gel better than many other long wheelbase conversions. If you want a car that shouts status, it wont appeal but for those that need to keep a lower profile its nigh-on perfect.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Volkswagen Phaeton long wheelbase range
PRICES: £45,630- £71,500 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 18 20
CO2 EMISSIONS: 293-374g/km
PERFORMANCE: [W12] 0-60mph 6.1s / Max Speed 155mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [V10] (combined) 34mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front/side and curtain airbags / ABS with ESP WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE? Length/Width/Height, 5270/1903/1450mm
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