What they said when the Volkswagen Phaeton was new… (May 14 2003)
THE WAIT is almost over.
The exclusive new Volkswagen Phaeton luxury saloon goes on sale next month priced from £42,905 to £68,260 on the road.
But off the road, buyers will also get an exclusive dedicated concierge service that can do anything from booking last minute concert tickets or a weekend away at a hotel, to arranging tables at exclusive restaurants.
Initially available with two petrol engines, a 3.2-litre V6 and the flagship 6.0-litre W12, other versions will follow later this year, as well as a long wheelbase bodystyle.
VW expects the 3.2 models to account for over 90pc of sales with the 6.0 litre creaming off about 5pc.
Volkswagen's new top of the range model was first unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 2002, and made its UK debut at the Birmingham Show last year. It will join Volkswagen's other new contender in the luxury class, the Touareg 4x4.
Just 300 Phaetons will be sold in Britain this year but only about 40 existing Volkswagen UK retailers will sell it, each with its own Luxury Car Manager, specialised workshop equipment and licensed Luxury Car Technician. The Luxury Car Manager has the role of maintaining contact with the customer to ensure the highest levels of customer service.
The Phaeton was designed to set benchmark standards in its class. To this end, sophisticated technology is a major facet of Volkswagen's first luxury saloon.
Every Phaeton comes with a high level of specification, including Continuous Damping Control (CDC) air suspension; ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme); electric seats; Xenon headlights; draught-free 4-Zone climate control; 'infotainment' centre with 7-inch colour display; leather upholstery; rain sensor wipers and a six-disc CD autochanger.
Five seats are fitted as standard, while four seater packs, which come with a range of extra equipment, are optional.
The 3.2-litre V6 engine produces 241 PS, while the 6.0-litre W12 powerplant, which comes with 4-MOTION four-wheel drive transmission as standard, has a maximum output of 420 PS.
At the end of this year, a 310 PS 4.2-litre V8 petrol will join the range, along with the highly regarded 5.0-litre V10 TDI - the world's most powerful passenger car diesel to date, with 313 PS and peak torque of 553 lbs ft (750 Nm). At the same time a long wheelbase version will become available, while a 3.0-litre V6 TDI will follow in 2005.
Phaeton buyers will be able to purchase a three-year/60,000 mile inclusive servicing package for £500. With this option, all manufacturer scheduled servicing and maintenance costs are covered under the scheme. It's similar to a scheme successfully pioneered by BMW and one which is expected to be taken up by every buyer.
In addition, as part of the high standards of customer care expected of Volkswagen – and particularly in this sector of the market - all Phaeton owners will automatically receive a one-year membership of a concierge service that can do anything from booking last minute concert tickets or a weekend away at a hotel, to arranging tables at exclusive restaurants for those "time poor" owners who are too busy to do it themselves.
While in the driving seat, however, they'll quickly discover that both 3.2 and 6.0 litre
versions exude refinement through advanced technology, as I discovered this week.
It's a big and roomy car with a large boot as well and the choice of five or four seats to maximise space as desired by owners.
Even with firmest of its four suspension settings, the Phaeton rides comfortably over all manner of surface but it still manages to feel agile.
The bigger engine is completely effortless in ability and particularly silent while the smaller V6 sounds busier at high speed and both models exhibit pronounced road rumbles from their massive tyres.
Volkswagen has arrived in the luxury sector with a car which will be a formidable foe to the established contenders ... and that includes its own stable mates from Audi.
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