VW Phaeton (2010 / 2011) facelift revealed

Volkswagen has given the Phaeton a facelift. Debuts at the Beijing Motor Show.

It’s very easy to forget that VW’s flagship Phaeton even exists. Despite being a technological tour de force, its anonymous looks and understated presence have done it no favours. And let’s face it, an S-Class rivalling VW just seems wrong somehow.

So it’s no surprise that the VW Phaeton really doesn’t sell. In fact Volkswagen even gave up trying to shift the Phaeton in the US and European sales are – at best – subdued. But there is one place left on the planet that just loves great big cars – and happens to buy VWs by the shed full – and that’s China. Sales in China of the Phaeton were up 40% last year so it makes sense for Volkswagen to reveal the 2010/2011 facelifted Phaeton at this months Beijing Motor Show.

So have VW made the Phaeton more impressive looking? Does it now stand the showroom test along with the technological test? Sadly, no. The tweaks are minor and include a new family nose job, a tidy and titivate at the back and some new tech kit including Google Maps and road sign recognition.

It doesn’t look as if there will be any change to the engine options, with the 3.0 litre V6 diesel available as a short or long wheelbase and the W12 4Motion with just the long wheelbase. Nor do we expect to see prices rise when the new Phaeton launches in the UK in the Autumn, with a starting price around £45k rising to nearly £80k for the W12 Phaeton.

We love what VW has achieved with the Phaeton. It is a remarkable car. But it’s a vanity project – there to prove what VW can do – not a serious attempt to carve an S Class niche for VW. But if you want a big, powerful, bullet-proof, understated saloon car – and don’r want to pay £45k upwards –  have a browse through the classifieds. You can get a 3.0 V6 for around £10k and a W12 Phaeton from around £15k. You can also get the now discontinued V10 Phaeton – with enough torque to kick-start time – for similar money.

Now that is a bargain. And it”l probably outlive you.

By Cars UK