Jalopnik: Phaeton

Next-Gen VW Phaeton Returning To The U.S.

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 10:45:00 EDT

The VW Phaeton is again U.S-bound, screwing online enthusiasts who insincerely said they'd totally buy one if it came back. [Bloomberg] More »

For $20,650, Get a People’s Car Originally Intended For Only Very Rich People

graverobber — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EDT

How much would you pay for three-quarters of a Veyron's Engine, minus the turbos? Well, get ready to find out, because Nice Price or Crack Pipe is bringing you a W12 that even those with meager W2s can afford. More »

2011 VW Phaeton: One More Reason Why China Owns Us

Wes Siler — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 10:30:00 EDT

The 2011 Volkswagen Phaeton continues to be one of the most over-engineered, understated ways to hit 186 MPH. Perfect for Chinese businessmen who don't want American peasants to realize who their real masters are. More »

VW Phaeton Exclusive: Because Maybe They'll Buy It If It's More Expensive

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EDT

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Legend speaks of the return of the Volkswagen Phaeton, a.k.a 'Piech's Pholly,' a.k.a. the VW sedan so mind-blowingly expensive, Americans wouldn't wrap their wallets around it. To combat the problem, Volkswagen has now made a version even more expensive. More »

Maserati Quattroporte Bellagio Fastback Touring: The Ultimate Station Wagon

Peter Orosz — Wed, 06 May 2009 16:30:00 EDT

The Ferrari 599 GTB seats only two, the 612 Scaglietti is big—but what if you have kids, dogs and elephant guns to carry? Enter the custom-built Quattroporte Bellagio, certainly not your daddy's station wagon. More »

Engine Of The Day: Volkswagen W

Murilee Martin — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EDT

We've had a lot of clamor to give EOTD honors to VW's innovative VR6, but the whole concept just got so much cooler when those mad scientists in Wolfsburg put two VR banks per engine. More »

Austrian Politician Jörg Haider Killed In Phaeton Crash, Driving Twice Speed Limit

Murilee Martin — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EDT

Far-right politicians from Austria tend to get a lot of scrutiny from the rest of the world, for really obvious historical reasons, and Jörg Haider, long-time leader of Austria's nationalist Freedom Party, definitely made plenty of headlines. That's all over now, as the anti-immigrant Haider perished on Saturday when his 3-month-old VW Phaeton hit a concrete pillar in Klagenfort at 88 MPH, on a stretch of road with a 42 MPH speed limit. [Times of London] More »

Could Phaeton Be Making A Return To The US?

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 09:45:00 EST

Many Jalopers have a special place in their heart for W12 Volkswagen Phaeton (and we know a certain journalist with a pair of V8 Phaetons). And while we like the Passat CC up close, it doesn't move us in the same way. So that makes us happy to hear that Motor Authority is reporting that VW's chief Stefan Jacoby mentioned that it was a mistake to end the Phaeton in North America and that it could make a return. More »

Undercover as a Bentley Customer, All Ice Sculptures All the Time

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 09:45:00 EST

The guys at Dubspeed Driven skipped the press intro for the Bentley Continental GT Speed in Spain, opting instead for posing as one of the super-rich customers in the market for a luxury GT. We're not sure what's funnier, the gigantic winged "B" ice sculpture, the spokesmodel or the fact that they give people the Goose before sending them out with expensive autos. More »

Quattroporte: Out!

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 13:00:00 EDT

The masses have spoken. Looks like one of the very few cars in the Fantasy Garage I've actually ever driven will be joining the Volkswagen Phaeton W12 in Loserville. The message is loud, the message is clear: No 4-doors in the Fantasy Garage. Unless it's a big Italian truck. Do I regret hearing the voice of the people? Not so much this time, but the loss of the Phaeton still smarts. Long term, maybe this action will have a butterfly flapping its winds in Toldeo and wiping out Tokyo effect: the resale value of the Quattroporte will tank, and I'll be able to pick one up on the cheap. That's the spirit... More »

Volkswagen Phaeton Coupe Cabriolet Mule

Mike Spinelli — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 16:01:00 EDT

With Volkswagen's Phaeton scoring points among critics but causing confusion and consternation among VW/Audi brand managers, the badge has been undergoing a kind of reconsideration program. Now, as new shots courtesy of Winding Road indicate, a coupe version with retractable hardtop may be in the works. It'll face down the Mercedes SL in the battle of the upmarket two-doors. And judging from the swiftness with which engineers allegedly fled the scene, it's a top-secret project. [via Winding Road] More »

The Votes Are In: Phaeton, Out!

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 14 May 2007 12:00:00 EDT

"Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide." – John Adams

The people have spoken. And the people are wrong, fantastically wrong. I'm not shocked that the greatest-ever Volkswagen was given the boot from our make believe petroleum paradise, but I am deeply disappointed. I remember when I first discussed nominating the Phaeton with various members of the Jalopnik brain trust. We were convinced that it would never get in. Much to our surprise and quite honestly, delight, "Piech's Folly" made cut the mustard. But then, despite my passionate plea, despite comment after comment explaining just why in fact the Phaeton W12 is so very special, at the first opportunity some of you did the obvious thing – the big VeeDub was sacked (I say "some" because while 414 folks voted the Phaeton out, 801 voted to expel other and sadly lesser cars). No matter, though. We exist in the form of a blog and therefor we lick our wounds and move on. 'Tis the nature of the beast. But I'm getting a Volkswagen in the Fantasy Garage. And it sure as hell ain't going to be a first generation GTI. Perhaps the Touareg? Because I'm mean. – Jonny Lieberman More »

Jalopnik Fantasy Garage: Volkswagen Phaeton W12

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 11:00:00 EDT

Yes, the Phaeton. Like everyone else, when I first heard Volkswagen would be producing a $100,000 car, I was aghast. Was this the same Volkswagen that built my friend Tristy's Scirocco? Aside from constantly belching black smoke, that car's passenger seat would snap off its runners on every left turn. Six figures for a fat Passat? I'll pass, thanks. But then, details started trickling in. The Phaeton would share an all-wheel-drive, air-suspended platform with both the Bentley Continental GT and the Audi A8L, including the mega-compact 6.0-liter W12. That's some Brucetastic DNA. Snob-wise, the Phaeton would be at the correct end of a one-way street. While some jokers might climb into a Bentley and cringe at the Volkswagen-sourced gear selector, ain't nobody's getting into a Phaeton and bemoaning, "Hey, that's the knob-a-roo from the Continental GT – gross!" Sure, the biggest-ever VW would come from a fine family. But then again, so do the Hilton sisters. More »

Allroad Fools Day? Volkswagen's Alleged Cross Phaeton

Mike Spinelli — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 17:49:48 EDT

Of course, we're suspicious of the timing of Autoweek.nl's reveal of the alleged Volkswagen "Cross Phaeton." The shots indicate a new Phaeton with a body kit and higher ground clearance, along with a 220-hp 2.0-liter TDI. They say it'll be revealed at the New York auto show this week. We say they should have added a periscope and a bust of Ferdinand Pi ch as a hood ornament. Then again, they could be using it to announce the return of the Phaeton in the US. That would be sheer madness. – Mike Spinelli More »

Ad Watch: Hands Off the VW Phaeton

Mike Spinelli — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 12:15:18 EST

Once, when we were just a junior Jalopnik, chilling in our dorm room at 2:00 am with only a flashlight and 17 bags of mushrooms (just kidding, mom), we decided to stage "Beowulf" in shadow puppetry. Unfortunately, a semi-serious retnal injury — via an errant forefinger during Grendel's entrance scene — doomed the show to an early closing. We're reminded of that sad night by this German ad for Volkswagen's Phaeton, created by Hamburg agency Grabarz & Partner Werbeagentur. Bravo, VW, for fulfilling our artistic aspirations so deftly. – Mike Spinelli More »

Fidel Is Not Enough: Bentley Plans Lots O' New, Lightweight Rides

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 16:28:31 EST

We wannabe upper crusty anglophile types are already busy drooling over the allure from the double-decadent Havana coupe. Now Bentley springs this on us? As the revitalized ~~German~~ British marquee nears the brand-imploding 9,000 cars a year threshold, they are going to need new steel to maintain their momentum. Wait, not steel — as was dictated by sharing a chassis with brother Phaeton — Al-you-min-e-um. The new Continentals will use Audi's lightweight MLB platform, probably shedding half a ton in the process. Much more interesting (says me), is the likelihood of low volume offshoots, including a four-door drop-top, a sedanca and most wonderful of all, a shooting brake! And if Davey G. calls the latter a "hatch back," I'm sicking Daniel Craig on his ass. – Jonny Lieberman More »

Savior Survivor: VW Ups The Ante In The Fight To Provide The Pope's New Whip

Ray Wert — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 11:42:59 EDT

Yes, either the Pope didn't like the XC90 that Volvo sent over back in June, or the boys n' girls at Volkswagen are seriously worried over whether or not they'll be reaching the pearly gates. Maybe that's why the German automaker's giving his excellency a brand spankin' new 450 hp Phaeton. We're hoping, for Pope Benedict's sake, the plans for this particular Phaeton weren't in the same laptop German Chancellor Merkel's were in or it'll be back to the popemobile. Check out the gallery below. [Hat tip to Zerin!] – Ray Wert More »

The Truth About the Volkswagen Phaeton

Mike Spinelli — Mon, 20 Feb 2006 11:39:23 EST

Volkswagen's Phaeton may have been the penultimate expression of Ferdinand Pi ch's weapons-grade arrogance (don't forget that little runabout called the Bugatti Veyron), but it sure was (and is somewhere) a sweet luxury car. But as Farago points out in a new column on The Truth About Cars, Volkswagen's ill-phaeted sedan is more than the sum of its clean-room-assembled parts. It's about creating the ultimate customer experience for luxury buyers — and the company's more suitable luxury divisions stand to reap the benefits. Or not. There's a lesson in there for other luxury carmakers' sales networks too. More »

Touring the VW Phaeton Plant in Dresden

Mike Spinelli — Thu, 22 Dec 2005 13:31:51 EST

The globetrotters over at VW Vortex compiled photos from a tour of VW's ultra high-tech Phaeton plant in Dresden, Germany. From the looks of the Phaeton's swank birthing quarters, it's almost a shame VW's pulling the slow-selling luxodub from the US. But we'd imagine if potential buyers got to spend a day at the factory (which appears to be tidier than an Intel clean room) they'd pick one of the luxurious buggers up post haste, despite the badge on the grille. [Thanks to Tim for the tip.] More »

VW Individual Shows Phaeton Limousine at the Dubai Motor Show

Mike Spinelli — Wed, 21 Dec 2005 08:48:39 EST

From the "oil's well that spends well" department, Volkswagen's in-house bling shop, VW individual, showed off a super-stretch Phaeton at the Dubai Motor Show last week. The ultraluxury, W12-powered shiekwagen, dubbed VW Phaeton Lounge, is 1.8 meters longer than a stock Phaeton. It's loaded with accouterments for the discriminating royal, including all-wheel-drive, full leather, AV systems and pop-up minibar. More »

Autoextremist on the Fading of the Phaeton

Davey G. Johnson — Tue, 22 Nov 2005 14:37:49 EST

When the mainstream auto press zigs, Sweet Peet D. zags. WIth everyone all up in the GM plant closure story today, Peter DeLorenzo takes the time to remind us for the umpteenth time that ~~Archduke Franz~~ Ferdinand Pi ch (don't forget the umlaut, Peet) is a phenomenal engineer (917, 907, etc) and a terrible manager (Phaeton, grandiose pronouncements about VW competing with M-B while Audi competes with BMW). You know, all the standard Sweetness. He even throws in his patented, "answer to a question absolutely nobody was asking" schtick, although we didn't get a "notgonnahappen.com" this time around. We suppose it's good not to blow your entire catchphrase wad all at once. Football! You bet! [UPDATE: Of course, eagle-eyed reader Jules is correct when pointing out that this is dear Peet's rant from last week. So we redact that beginning bit about the zigs and zags. The catchphrase stuff, though, we're stickin' with that.] More »

Is Volkswagen Pulling Phaeton From US Market?

Mike Spinelli — Mon, 14 Nov 2005 07:30:00 EST

The German Car Blog found a report on German website "Speed Heads" indicating V-dub will be pulling its failing Phaeton sedan from the US market beginning in the 2007 model year. The reason is simple — the company wants to focus on the core cars of its struggling US franchise, the Jetta, Passat, Touareg and New Beetle, not on its $70,000 sales and branding mistake. If true, the report confirms rumors that have been swirling about for months. It also takes pressure off dealership sales staff, who can finally give up on all the corporate training films with titles like "How to Make Espresso" and "Kissing High-Net-Worth Ass: Is it Gauche to Use Tongue?" More »