Should They Or Shouldn't They? Volkswagen Considers Diesel Phaeton For US Market

What planet are these guys from? The GASOLINE Phaeton was colossal $70,000 failure in the U.S. Now these dumb asses are thinking about rolling out a DIESEL Phaeton? Somebody better get their EGO in check.

— grysko (View Profile)

Posted on 9/16/2009 10:50:09 PM | | Votes: 3   

I'm LOVING this car. True it was overpriced at $70K but that was when sedans everywhere price as such. When VW brings the car back to the market, it should cost starting around $45K and not rising beyond $65K with very unique design. The original Phaeton was bland but understatedly (my word) beautiful. VW can make this work. I'm in.

— inspirion7 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/17/2009 12:53:53 PM | | Votes: 1   

GM hasnt gotten the memo

— veyron1001 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/16/2009 11:32:59 AM | | Votes: -1   

I think VW is has this problem more than GM, as they have multiple models that compete for the same buyer across different brands, at least GMs cars were desighned to appeal to different buyers.........

— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 9/16/2009 12:47:17 PM | | Votes: 3   

This car flopped worldwide not because of any technical shortcomings, but because no one wanted to pay $70,000 (V8) to $100,000 (V12) for a Volkswagen. _Audiophile

The Phaeton stills selling in numbers in Europe and increased sales is what has encouraged VW move to offer it again here. True the price was an issue, but this amazing car was misunderstood just like the A8. For years, Audi could only sell between 1500-2000 A8's per year. But hay more for me, I don't mind. The more exclusive the better.

— inspirion7 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/17/2009 1:11:17 PM | | Votes: 1   

equus...

— 1UAW (View Profile)

Posted on 9/16/2009 6:11:14 PM | | Votes: 0   

Why? Because they are stupid and hardheaded.

— avanti64 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/16/2009 11:32:36 PM | | Votes: 1   

Glad this question came up. The history and concept of this car will blow you away.

Initial development of the Phaeton began with Piëch giving his engineers a list of ten parameters the car needed to fulfill. Most of these specifications were not made known to the public, but a number of them were told to automotive reporters. One of them was that the Phaeton should be capable of being driven all day at 300 km/h (190 mph) with an exterior temperature of 50 °C (122 °F) whilst maintaining the interior temperature at 22 °C (72 °F). Piëch requested this even though the Phaeton's top speed was electronically limited to 250 km/h (160 mph).[1] Another requirement was that the car should possess torsional rigidity of 37,000 Nm/degree.

The Phaeton's platform, the Volkswagen Group D1 platform, is shared with the Bentley Continental GT and Bentley Continental Flying Spur.

Certain systems, such as the transmission and some engines, are also shared with the Audi A8. The D1 is a stand-alone platform, and was specifically developed for the Phaeton and Bentley under code name VW611. It is commonly confused with Audi's D3 platform, which is aluminium-based instead of the D1's steel platform.
As of 2005, the Phaeton has the longest wheelbase in the Volkswagen passenger car line.

The Phaeton is hand-assembled in an eco-friendly factory with a glass exterior, the Transparent Factory (German: Gläserne Manufaktur) in Dresden, Germany. This factory also assembled the Bentley Continental Flying Spur until October 2006, when assembly of the Bentley was transferred to Crewe, England.

Development of the vehicle led to over 100 individual patents specific to the Phaeton. Distinctive features include a draftless four-zone climate system, air compressor suspension system, standard 4motion four wheel drive, and the ability to select a preferred ride type from comfort to sport. With the Klavier Lack (piano lacquer) option, the vehicle is double-painted and sanded between the first and second paint application.

— inspirion7 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/17/2009 1:15:49 PM | | Votes: 2