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Volkswagen Phaeton makes world debut at Geneva

7th March 2007 Print
Volkswagen Phaeton

The Volkswagen Phaeton remains the technical showcase for the Volkswagen range. Standard equipment includes four wheel drive, 4Zone climate control, Continuous Damping Control (CDC) air suspension with automatic self-levelling and three ride settings and an advanced navigation system accessed via a seven-inch colour screen.

Key facts

A subtle evolution of Volkswagen’s pioneering luxury car featuring advanced new technical and mechanical revisions.

Marks the debut of a new 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine for the Phaeton developing 238 PS – a 13 PS rise over the outgoing V6 TDI engine.

New common rail direct injection engine already meets tough Euro V emissions standards ahead of the 2009 deadline.

New front lights feature bi-Xenon bulbs designed to adapt to the direction of the front wheels and illuminate the road accordingly. They are joined by LED running lights integrated within the headlamp units and a new, reprofiled bonnet.

Front and Side Scan system fitted to the Phaeton for the first time. Front Scan can automatically bring the vehicle to a complete stop in extreme circumstances should the system sense a hazard ahead. Side Scan monitors the area beside the vehicle for any obstacles to make changing lanes on the motorway safer. Should an obstacle be sensed a warning is transmitted to the driver.

Simplified controls for the Phaeton’s entertainment systems are joined by an elegant new Bluetooth-enabled phone with voice control and the capacity to store up to 1,000 contacts
Further aesthetic enhancements include two new designs of 19” alloy wheels to set the new Phaeton further apart from its predecessor.

Standard safety systems include ABS linked to Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD) and Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA) that works with the Phaeton’s electronic stabilisation programme. The four-wheel drive system benefits from an electronic differential lock and an anti-slip regulation programme to limit any loss of traction. This is in addition to a full complement of eight airbags which includes side impact bags for occupants in both the front and rear of the vehicle.

A choice of four engines are available: the new 3.0-litre V6 TDI 238 PS diesel is joined by three petrol units in 3.2-litre V6 240 PS, 4.2-litre V8 335 PS and 6.0-litre W12 450 PS guises in either short or long wheelbase platforms.

Market information

First revisions since the Phaeton’s arrival in the UK in June 2003.
New 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine expected to account for the majority of sales.


Timing

UK launch scheduled for summer 2007.

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