VOLKSWAGEN has introduced the world's most powerful luxury diesel car, with a massive five-litre, ten cylinder engine.
It is one of two new additions to the Phaeton line-up, both of which have four wheel drive, just like Audi's rival A8.
The diesel Phaeton uses the same engine as that of the Touareg 4x4 Sport Utility Vehicle, with a power output of a whopping 313 bhp, and a huge torque figure of 553lb ft. This endows the car with extraordinary pulling power, in the unlikely event that anyone would consider hitching it to a caravan or trailer.
With acceleration to 60mph in under seven seconds and a 155mph top speed, it is hardly surprising that the Phaeton TDI offers economy of just 25mpg, which is unimpressive by diesel standards.
Also added to the current six cylinder and 12 cylinder line up is a 4.2-litre V8, with prices of £57,840 and £52,000 for the new diesel and V8 respectively.
However, bearing in mind that similar money buys a Mercedes S-class diesel or a 4.3-litre petrol model, Volkswagen is perhaps being a mite ambitious with the Phaeton.
The retained value of a 3.2-litre Phaeton after three years is projected to be 40 per cent, in comparison to 55 per cent for the equivalent S-class, which costs £10,000 more initially.