Volkswagen Phaeton

Not to be confused with Volkswagen Phideon.
Volkswagen Phaeton
Overview
ManufacturerVolkswagen
ProductionDecember 2001 – March 2016[1][2]
Model years
  • 2003–2016
  • 2004–2006 (North America)
AssemblyDresden, Germany (Transparent Factory)
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size luxury car[3] (F)
Body style4-door sedan
LayoutLongitudinal FF layout
Longitudinal F4 layout (4motion)
PlatformVolkswagen Group D1
Related
Powertrain
EnginePetrol:
3.2 L EA390 AYT / BKL / BRK VR6
3.6 L EA390 VR6
4.2 L BGH, BGJ V8
6.0 L W12 (2004–2011)
Diesel:
3.0 L TDI Common Rail (BMK / CARA / CEXA) V6 TDI
5.0 L AJS V10 TDI (2003–2007)
Transmission
6-speed ZF 6HP26A automatic with tiptronic (5.0 V10 TDI only)
Dimensions
Wheelbase
  • SWB: 2,881 mm (113.4 in)
  • LWB: 3,001 mm (118.1 in)
Length
  • 2002-2009:
  • SWB: 5,055 mm (199.0 in)
  • LWB: 5,120 mm (201.6 in)
  • 2010–2016:
  • SWB: 5,059 mm (199.2 in)
  • LWB: 5,140 mm (202.4 in)
Width1,903 mm (74.9 in)
Height1,450 mm (57.1 in)
Curb weight2,184–2,449 kg (4,815–5,399 lb)
Chronology
SuccessorVolkswagen Phideon (China)
Volkswagen Group W-12 engine as fitted in the Phaeton W12
Volkswagen Concept D at IAA 1999 in Frankfurt

The Volkswagen Phaeton ( /ˈfeɪtən/ FAY-tən) (Typ 3D) is a full-size sedan/saloon[4] manufactured by the German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen, described by Volkswagen as their "premium class" vehicle.[5][6] Introduced at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show, the Phaeton was marketed worldwide. Sales in North America ended in 2006 and global sales ended in 2016.

The name Phaeton derives from Phaëton, the son of Phoebus (or Helios) in Greek mythology, by way of the phaeton auto body style and the type of horse-drawn carriage that preceded it.

Production ended in March 2016 and an all-electric second generation was slated to be produced.[7][8] Starting in April 2017, the Transparent Factory Dresden began assembling the e-Golf instead.[9]

  1. ^ Schmidt, Boris (7 July 2022). "20 years of the Phaeton: For the first time, Volkswagen shows the successor that was never built". Volkswagen Newsroom. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  2. ^ "Das gescheiterte Luxusprojekt von VW" [VW's failed luxury project]. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. 20 March 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  3. ^ "Tested: 2004 Big-Money Luxury Sedan Comparison". Car and Driver. March 31, 2021.
  4. ^ https://www.volkswagen-newsroom.com/en/press-releases/20-years-of-the-phaeton-for-the-first-time-volkswagen-shows-the-successor-that-was-never-built-8056 "5.06 metres long, 1.90 metres wide, 1.45 metres high – these dimensions alone meant a place for the Phaeton among its competitors in the luxury segment. However, in spite of its size, its visual appearance was understated. Its flowing design with slightly domed roof lines created a timeless and unostentatious appearance. The only stand-out features were the round tail light clusters at the rear installed under rectangular cover glass elements."
  5. ^ "Volkswagen Sachsen GmbH". Volkswagen-sachsen.de. Retrieved 2010-10-04.
  6. ^ Glaesernemanufaktur Dresden. "GlaeserneManufaktur.de". GlaeserneManufaktur.de. Archived from the original on 2010-04-05. Retrieved 2010-10-04.
  7. ^ Behrmann, Elisabeth (16 December 2015). "Volkswagen to Stop Making Top-End Phaeton Sedan in March". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  8. ^ "VW suspends Phaeton". 17 December 2015. Retrieved December 19, 2015.
  9. ^ "Scharfer Start für den e-Golf aus Dresden". Archived from the original on 2017-03-17. Retrieved 2017-03-16.