Autoblog

Volkswagen's Phaeton could not exactly be described as a run-away success. The German carmaker planned to make a modest 20,000 units, but only managed to sell a quarter that amount. But someone in Wolfsburg must have gotten an "if at first you don't succeed" fortune cookie, and they're determined to give it another shot.

The next Phaeton, as we've reported previously, will save considerably on development costs by sharing its underpinnings with the next A6 from corporate cousin Audi. This, however, is no mere speculation: it comes straight from the mouth of CEO Martin Winterkorn. The end result will be a Phaeton smaller than the one it replaces, bringing costs down and bringing it slightly closer to the top-end Passat to help close the enormous gap in the Volkswagen model line-up.

The current slow-selling Phaeton cost Volkswagen a bundle to develop, but all was not lost as the platform ended up providing the basis for the more successful Bentley Continental range, with its coupe, cabrio and sedan variations. What will happen with the next Continental, you ask? Sources suggest that it will take its underpinnings from the latest Audi A8.

All in all this amounts to a change of direction for the German auto group, which has a history of investing heavily into new models which compete with offerings from their own subsidiaries.

[Source: Motor Authority]

According to the latest reports, Ford has serious plans to expand the Mustang brand. The rumors suggest that the next Mustang will include four-door sedan and wagon bodystyles.

We recently brought you artists' renderings of the next Mustang, which is anticipated to draw on some of the dramatic lines of the Giugiaro Mustang concept from the LA show. But no one expected the new stallion to grow an extra pair of doors.

Taking a cue from arch-rival GM, whose Australian Holden subsidiary came to the rescue with the Monaro-based GTO after the Firebird and Camaro were discontinued, Ford is said to be turning to its Australian operation to provide the basis for the next Mustang. The car would be built on a new rear-drive corporate platform to be shared with Lincoln, among other divisions. With wide open spaces and a penchant for big engines, the Australian market is said to closely mirror ours here in America.

The ponycar has a long history for Ford, and has had featured a few different bodystyles – including coupe, convertible and fastback – but until now they've all been two-door variants. A family-size Mustang would be a dramatic departure for one of the oldest nameplates in the business.

[Source: Autocar via PistonHeads]

Did you like the last Shell Schumi ads we brought you? The commercials hit the German airwaves after the seven-time world champ retired, and we brought you episodes 1 & 3. Now, episode 2 has found its way onto the net, thanks to the same intrepid German fan.

This one features Michael standing like a cut-out of himself in the store at a Shell station, patiently holding his ground while the retail muzak plays. Well worth watching just to see how many Deutsche motorists do a double-take. Would you believe your eyes if you saw Schumacher standing in the corner of your local gas-n'-go?

Between jaunts to his private isle and the possiblity of a test driving gig, it's an apt question. However, Shell seems to have the answer... or an answer anyway. Plus, it's an entertaining one at that.

In what appears to be a series of ads for German television, seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher greets surprised customers at a local gas station. Now I don't remember getting that kind of service the last time I filled up at the Shell station.

Liked the first one? Follow the jump to watch another!

[Source: Car Magazine]