Frankfurt 2009: 2010 Volkswagen Phaeton Exclusive makes our inner plutocrat swoon
2010 Volkswagen Phaeton Exclusive - Click above for high-res image gallery
When it comes to the Phaeton, we really don't care what anyone else thinks. The only justification we'll offer is that back in the early 2000s, VW's ubermensch Ferdinand Piech took off the calf-skin gloves and dropped the mother of all gauntlets. He
The whole Phaeton can'o'worms is quite messy in the States. To put it bluntly, the grand sedan completely failed. Still, anyone that's spent so much as thirty seconds in the back seat knows that the Phaeton's failure in WalMart country had nothing to do with the Phaeton. Proof? Volkswagen, who by year's end is projected to be the largest automaker in the world and therefor knows a thing or two about cars, is bringing the Phaeton back to our red, white und blue shores. This particular Phaeton Exclusive (featuring the universe's glossiest, deepest and darkest black paint) is actually sporting the 2007 facelift. But you can rest easy, secure in the knowledge we'll be getting the new Phaeton when it returns to the US in 2011.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Avinash machado 7:04AM (9/16/2009)
Looks very elegant. Sadly the VW badge will scare away buyers in this luxury category.
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Quantumphysics 7:37AM (9/16/2009)
Yup, I don't know anyone who'd want to spend this much on a Volkswagon. Its a Fair price for an Audi A6 or A8, but for just a VW, its silly.
Then again, if Hyundai is moving Genesis then it only proves that "a fool and his money are soon parted"
AC0 7:46AM (9/16/2009)
I think the most inconspicous luxury car... ever? I love it, the
American market doesn't know what it's missing! However as a display
of wealth it is pretty useless... so i don't think it will fare much
better the second time round. You get a lot more flash for your cash
from all its competitors, and even the Hyundais.
sparrk 8:19AM (9/16/2009)
this car is a rebodied Bentley , a very nice car , but i doubt it will sell this time around. some people who prefer discretion will get it and that's about it.
Harrison 7:29AM (9/16/2009)
I love this. I can't wait til 2011!
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PaulPaul 7:31AM (9/16/2009)
http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/frankfurt-2009-2010-volkswagen-phaeton-exclusive/#14
will this lady come on your screen when you miss your turn?
"no, zis is rong turn, covboy!"
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BauN 7:34AM (9/16/2009)
Nice car!
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mbslrm 8:14AM (9/16/2009)
If someone were to ask me to name the best car in the world, I would say the Phaeton.
Honestly, the only thing going against it is the VW badge.
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LoneWolf 8:21AM (9/16/2009)
And its bloated Passat looks.
zamafir 11:24AM (9/16/2009)
looks are fine in person, proportions are as apt as the a8. It's a wonderful drive though, the dash is a bit fussy. I almost picked one u used, massive depreciation and a great deal.
mbslrm 1:50PM (9/16/2009)
Considering you can get Phaeton W12 for about 40k, it's incredible value.
ugg.tryptophan 8:16AM (9/16/2009)
and its a 2+2! very nice, hope that interior finds its way into the cc
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RED_ 8:22AM (9/16/2009)
the Phaeton is a fantastic car. an amazing car that not many people think of when they say luxury.
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Jared 8:22AM (9/16/2009)
Still grotesquely overweight. And the depreciation sinks like a rock. You can pick up a used Phaeton for a song.
Heck, they didn't even sell well in Germany.
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556 8:36AM (9/16/2009)
I'll take one, please.
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Art 8:37AM (9/16/2009)
wow.
WOW.
The best car no one ever cared about
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akboss302 8:38AM (9/16/2009)
The best part about this car is that nobody knows what it is. An Audi driver could be cruising along in an A6, even an A8, completely unaware of the superiority of the Phaeton as it glides past under the radar.
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Jake 8:44AM (9/16/2009)
"To put it bluntly, the grand sedan completely failed. Still, anyone that's spent so much as thirty seconds in the back seat knows that the Phaeton's failure in WalMart country had nothing to do with the Phaeton. "
Yeah, it's the consumer's fault for not buying it, no VW's fault. And we'll ridicule them for not buying our product by refering to their country as WalMart country. That'll teach 'em.
Is this the excuse you get when car company marketing weenies go see a shrink? Or is this just nonsense from the blogger?
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bwzd7p2 9:02AM (9/16/2009)
If VW can somehow get people in the car before they see the outside, they'll sell thousands. But since they won't, unless a dramatic re-style is in the works, it won't work any better the second time around. People complain that the Genesis is a mash-up of BMW, Lexus, and M-B styling cues. But you look at it and know those are the cars it's competing against. LoneWolf's "bloated Passat looks" comments best sums up this car's looks. Lots of folks can't believe the Genesis is a Hyundai; few will have trouble realizing this is a VW and if that remains the case, it won't sell.
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sparrk 9:28AM (9/16/2009)
yeah , but the Genesis screams "look at me, i'm a Koreean S class" , while the Phaeton is supposed to fly under the radar. unfortunately for VW , most people who buy expensive things want to be noticed.