Volkswagen PHAETON V6 TDI
Volkswagens Phaeton Range Has Unfortunately Found Itself Filed Under Speciality Interest. Perhaps The 3.0-lItre V6 TDI Diesel Model Will Broaden Its Appeal. Andy Enright Reports
If you are successful, refined and know quality when you see it,
Volkswagen are targeting you with their latest Phaeton range. If, on the other hand, you have a family tree that doesnt possess too many branches, you may well be able to count the number of Phaetons sold in this country last year on one hand. In order to broaden the cars appeal, Volkswagen are offering a 3.0-litre V6 TDI turbo diesel model.
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I suspect they may need to do a little more.
That might sound like a rather damning instant appraisal of the 3.0-litre TDIs chances but its unlikely that the diesel car will swell Volkswagens coffers too significantly. It is, however, a worthwhile addition to a range that was looking a little lopsided. Three petrol engines were being offered, of 3.
2, 4.2 and 6.0-litre capacities, balanced against only one diesel, the mighty 5.0-litre TDI.
With the majority of Phaeton sales being accounted for at or near the entry level,
Volkswagen were clearly missing a trick here. The Phaeton V6 TDI retails at £41,490 for the standard five-
seat car. That means the V6 TDI represents the entry-level point for prospective Phaeton owners. Its tough to see too many customers stumping up the extra £1,000 or so for the vastly inferior 3.
2-litre V6 petrol version, as the diesel has it licked on virtually every score. Not only is it a good deal more economical (29.4 versus 23.2mpg), but its better to drive.
The engine develops 225bhp but the headline grabber is the torque figure. With 332lb/ft on tap from as little as 1,400rpm, this Phaeton packs more muscle mass than a 4.5-litre
Porsche Cayenne V8. This makes it particularly swift when undertaking merge and overtake manoeuvres.
The 0-60mph time of 8.6 seconds doesnt seem anything too special, but once underway, this engine shows its clout. A six-speed tiptronic automatic gearbox allows the driver to marshal things when in the mood and leave it to its own devices when wafting about. Fortunately, wafting is something the Phaeton V6 TDI is rather good at.
Youll only really hear a slight clatter from the engine at start up and this soon settles into a refined background thrum. Anybody who knows their cars will always be able to tell that this vehicle drinks from the black rather than green pump, but its a car that revels in its fuel type rather than attempt to mimic the characteristics of a petrol powered car. Carbon dioxide emissions are pegged at 259 g/km and top speed is listed at 145mph. One of the most enjoyable aspects of the Phaeton V6 TDI is the cars impressive range.
Averaging almost 600 miles between tank fills, its an excellent motorway car, the 4Zone climate control and the air suspension making it one of the most comfortable cars money can buy. For around £41,000, nothing really gets close.
"The harsh truth seems to be that Volkswagen have found the limits of their badge equity"
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 this limousine that shares its badge with a shopping trolley.
Set aside the badge snobbery and the fact that this car does bear a resemblance to the more workaday Passat and the Phaeton starts to make a case for itself. Its certainly refreshing 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.
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. Rear seat accommodation is superb (even if you dont opt for one of the long wheelbase models), passengers getting their own air conditioning controls but legroom isnt quite as generous as in the long wheelbase versions of the 7 Series and S-Class. The attention to detail is impressive throughout the Phaeton. Revolutionary construction techniques at Volkswagens astonishing Dresden factory have resulted in panel gaps that are incredibly tight, paint thats as smooth as polished onyx and some interior features that have to be seen to be believed.
Even if the V6 TDI model were to double Phaeton sales, the car would still be the most peripheral of bit part players in this country. The harsh truth seems to be that Volkswagen have found the limits of their badge equity. If you dont care what label your luxury car wears and judge the Phaeton V6 TDI on a purely objective basis, its a winner virtually all the way. The problem is, youre in a blinkingly tiny minority.
Call that a lesson learned.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Volkswagen Phaeton V6 TDI range
PRICES: £41,490 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 15
CO2 EMISSIONS: 259g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 8.6s / Max Speed 145mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 29.4mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front/side and curtain airbags / ABS with ESP WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE? Length/Width/Height, 5150/1903/1450mm
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