Volkswagen Phaeton (2002 – 2010) Review
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Volkswagen Phaeton (2002 – 2010) At A Glance
Plushly equipped, refined luxury saloon that tries to tilt at the S-Class, 7 Series. Formed basis of Bentley Continental.
Plain looks. Transmission bogs down at slower speeds. Loses value quickly from new. Not as good as an S-Class, 7 Series, XJ or A8.
Unlike other luxury cars, the Phaeton was designed so that all its systems could cope with a sustained speed of 300kmh (186mph) rather than the usual 250kmh (155mph). For example, the W12 is the only car at any price that can be driven at 300kmh in an ambient temperature pf 50 degrees centigrade and still maintain an ambient temperature of 22 degrees centigrade.
Model History
March 2002
Phaeton unveiled
This is VW's flagship model built at its Lower Saxony plant near Dresden and in the UK from Summer 2003. At 5,055mm (16ft 7ins) it's longer than a standard MB S Class.
Engine choice starts with a 3.2 litre V6 offering 241bhp and 232ln ft (315Nm) torque, includes the 4.0 litre 270bhp W8 in some markets and is topped off by a 6.0 litre V12 with 420bhp and 406lb ft (552Nm) torque. But the engine creating most interest is the 5.0 litre V10 TDI which develops 313bhp and a mammoth 553lb ft (750Nm) torque. A beefy new six-speed autobox has been developed specifically for the car, while the V10 and V12 are four-wheel rather than merely front-wheel drive.
First release prices: 3.2V6: £42.905; 6.0 W12: £68,260. V10 diesel from Spring 2004 priced £57,637 and £60,172. Awesome, devastating performance for such a huge car. 2,967cc chain-cam VB6 TDI from November 2004. Has 225bhp at 4,000rpm and 332 lb ft torque at 3,250rpm. 6 speed Tiptronic. 140mph, 0-60 in 8.5. 29.4mpg combined, 259 g/km CO2. Prices £41,040 and £46,495 for more luxurious 4 seater. Satnav standard on all Phaetons from May 2005. V10 diesel apparently makes an excellent towcar.
June 2007
Phaeton revised
Revised range on sale to order from June 2007 with delivery from September 2007. Revision highlights include updated interior and exterior styling as well as a new 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine which has more power than the outgoing unit, and which is the first Volkswagen engine to comply with Euro V emissions legislation.
The new 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine uses common rail technology and has a maximum power output of 233 PS, eight PS more than its predecessor. It produces 450 Nm of torque, has a 0 to 60 mph time of 8.1 seconds and a top speed of 146 mph, and 29.4 mpg on the combined cycle. One requirement of the new Euro V emissions legislation which does not become law until 2009 is an 80 per cent reduction in particulates compared with Euro IV, and this has been achieved with this engine.
Another two engines complete the Phaeton line-up: the 4.2-litre V8 335 PS and flagship 6.0-litre W12 450 PS. All models have standard 4MOTION four-wheel drive and are available with a long wheelbase, giving 12 cm additional rear legroom. Only the 3.0-litre V6 TDI is now offered with a standard wheelbase.
Styling changes include a re-profiled bonnet, newly designed headlights with automatic driving lights, cherry red rear light clusters, body coloured bumpers with chrome trim, chrome air inlets and, for added safety, hazard lights which illuminate automatically in extreme braking situations. An innovative option (standard on W12) is that of cornering bi-Xenon lights with LED daytime running lights.
In the cabin, the Phaeton now features modified centre console switchgear for enhanced ease of use, as well as a new DVD navigation system. As an option, the current telephone preparation is replaced by Voice Activated Mobile Phone Preparation which includes Bluetooth Interface with hands free operation and the control unit integrated into the infotainment system. This costs £825.
3.0-litre V6 TDI 233 PS SWB 4MOTION £37,995 (to 31-12-07)
3.0-litre V6 TDI 233 PS LWB 4MOTION £40,265 (to 31-12-07)
4.2-litre V8 335 PS LWB 4MOTION £56,042
6.0-litre W12 450 PS LWB 4MOTION £74,272
For cars with satnav, Trafficmaster subscription included. as from Week 22 2007 build.
14-09-2008: Improved Phaeton debuted Benefiting from a new engine, advanced new electronic systems and dynamic upgrades. Several modifications have been made to the vehicles drivetrain, braking system, entertainment and navigation systems in addition to subtle aesthetic enhancements. New 3.6-litre V6 FSI petrol engine developing 280 PS at 6,250 rpm and 265 lbs ft (359 Nm) of torque between 2,500 and 5,000 rpm replaces the existing 3.2-litre engine. The new engine is Euro 5 compliant and cleaner than the unit it replaces with CO2 emissions dropping from 288 g/km to 273 g/km.
It joins the existing range of V8 and W12 petrol and 3.0-litre TDI common rail diesel engines in channelling its drive through the sophisticated 4MOTION system. For the first time on a Volkswagen ceramic brake discs will be offered on the W12 Phaeton along with revised damper settings. The aesthetic changes are subtle; three new designs of alloy wheel will be offered on the revised Phaeton in 17-, 18- and 19-inch diameters along with a reprofiled grille element, three new paint colours and new combinations of wood and leather for the interior. Phaetons centre console has been completely revised to accommodate the new touchscreen RNS 810 satellite navigation or RCD 810 entertainment system.
Equipped with an eight-inch screen in 16:9 format the new systems group together many vehicle functions such as entertainment, navigation, phone and rear parking camera functions, where specified, into one interface. The systems also benefit from a 30 GB hard drive onto which music can be loaded and also serves as the control unit for the optional 1,000 watt Dynaudio sound system. Tevisions to the centre console also include a completely redesigned panel to access the four-zone Climatronic climate control functions. Built at the dedicated, state-of-the-art transparent factory in Dresden. First customers in mainland Europe will receive their vehicles before the end of the year before UK sales commence early in 2009.
Prices for the revised model, fitted with a 3.0-litre V6 TDI 240 PS engine, start at £44,235 RRP on the road. Inside, new touchscreen satellite navigation and climate control systems feature as standard as part of a redesigned centre console, alongside a refreshed instrument cluster and multifunction display. Side Scan blind-spot monitor is now available as an option on the Phaeton for the first time, building on the already extensive list of safety equipment fitted to the vehicle.
This technology, currently available on the Touareg, monitors the area next to the vehicle and acts as a lane changing aid with an audible alert and a small warning lamp in the wing mirrors to warn of the danger of collision. Other options new to the Phaeton are a rear-view camera and the powerful 1,000-watt Dynaudio soundpack, which includes a 12-channel digital amplifier and 12 speakers.
Subtle design tweaks have also been made to the exterior, including a revised front grille featuring a three-dimensional Volkswagen roundel. A range of new metallic paint finishes and three new alloy wheels, in 17-, 18- and 19-inch designs, have also been added. The Phaeton is available with a 3.0-litre V6 TDI 240 PS with DPF (diesel particulate filter) or 6.0-litre W12 450 PS petrol engine. All models have standard 4MOTION four-wheel drive and are available with a long wheelbase, giving 12 cm additional rear legroom. The 3.0-litre V6 TDI is now offered with a standard wheelbase. Available to order from November 5th 2008, with new cars arriving in
the UK in January 2009.
3.0-litre V6 TDI 240 PS DPF 4MOTION, 239g/km CO2, 31.4mpg com £44,235
3.0-litre V6 TDI 240 PS DPF 4MOTION L, 239g/km CO2, 31.4mpg com £46,610
6.0-litre W12 450 PS 4MOTION L, 348g/km, 19.5mpg com, £75,395
Driving Volkswagen Phaeton (2002 – 2010)
They let us loose in the things on the traffic-choked A23. I have to say, I was unable to verify the maximum speed of the "vehicle", which is how a traffic policeman would have described it on the documentation that accompanied my arrest. And since we're getting into a very dodgy area here I won't even mention the car's awesome ability to make 99mph feel like 30.
But it isn't hard-edged like a Mercedes S600 twin turbo. The torque converters are organised to protect the transmission and drive-train from the monstrous 406 lb ft torque the 12 cylinder chain cam engine develops. On the move it's okay, and you have hefty paddleshifts behind the steering wheel to manually shift up and down the box. But brake for a junction, then try to accelerate out of it again and the whole system bogs down into self-protection mode. Until you get used to it, that could leave you stranded in the middle of the road while a 30ton HGV bears down on you. Your defence, "it was the car's fault" won't cut any ice with the mortician.
On the other hand, if you need to brake from a massive speed on an uneven and partially loose surface, you will survive. The combination of VAG Electronic Stabilisation Programme, Traction Control, ABS and Hydraulic Brake Assist ensure you will not only stop in a straight line but also that you will stop. No swathes of countryside were ignited by red hot brake discs when I tried this little trick either. I almost felt the car was distainfully telling me, "Yeah, so what?", or "Alors?" as they say in France.
The drivetrain is smooth and quiet. I didn't hear any wind noise. Even changing manually I couldn't get it to worsen 17.1mpg and driving normally I was seeing well over 20mpg. There is no doubt that this is an astonishingly good machine.
But it's up against top versions of the S Class and 7 Series, and even faces competition from within its own ranks in the stunning shape of the new Audi A8 (see road test on this site). On top of that, of course, there's also the new XJ8 to contend with.
So who will buy it? It seems like they're already queuing up. One chap in the Guildford area has specced his W12 up to eighty-six grand's worth. So there are moneyed people out there looking for a car that does the business but doesn't shout ‘Mercedes!', ‘BMW!', ‘Audi!' or ‘Jaguar!'.
I'm not so sure where the 3.2V6 fits into the picture. For a start, this £43,000 motor is just front-wheel-drive, not 4Motion. And it seems to be fitted with the same bog-down torque converter as the monster W12, which is hardly necessary for 341bhp plus 232lb ft torque. It's pleasant enough, and sweet enough, but not really anything else enough to justify XJ6, A8 and lesser S Class and 7 Series money.
Waiting in the wings, though, is a 4Matic version with the same gob-smacking 310bhp, 553lb ft torque 5.0litre V10 diesel as the Touareg. Those who have driven it say it's quite astonishing. Like the V10 Tourag, that's going to be the one to have.
Volkswagen Phaeton (2002 – 2010) Buying Guide
Good
Well equipped, refined luxury saloon.
Ranked most secure luxury car for 2nd year running in the Luxury Car category at the 2009 British Insurance Vehicle Security Awards (BIVSA), presented by Thatcham, the Motor Industry Repair Research Centre, in Berkshire.
Watch
One reader experienced minor trim damage and a series of electrical faults including: intermittent fault with keyless entry, navigation system failing or not working at all or showing car to be in one place when It's actually in another, automatic window lift failing, and false warning messages appearing.
If the shock absorber goes on one corner, you'll have to replace all four and you're probably looking at a £3k bill.
Timing gear train on 5.0 V10 diesel can mangle and can be 10 hours labour just to get the engine out. Can be oil feed problems to the camshafts, eventually causing £9,000 worth of engine damages. As happeed at 4 years old and 50k miles.
30-6-2011: On V10 diesel, turbochargers can fail and replacement is an engine and transmission out job.
26-11-2011: Jacks supplied with car not up to lifting the weight of it and prone to collapse.
6-12-2012: Complaint of excessive vibration on 20,000 mile 2008 Phaeton 3.0V6 TDI. Vibration affects the steering wheel, pedals and front seats.
31-5-2015: Reader who bought a V6 Phaeton wondering why it was so cheap soon found out: After stopping to refuel having driven 40 miles, the car would not start. The RAC confirmed that they couldn't start it with jump leads (all other battery indications were good), starter still not turning over. So, after a 6 hour wait it was recovered to a German Car specialist in Cambridge. When they opened for business after the BH they diagnosed TWO dead batteries (the Phaeton has two), despite being told that one would probably be flat after having the radio on while waiting 6 hours to be towed away. An initial quote of £700 for the diagnosis and replacement was offered. One day later the quote was reduced to a mere £520 for both batteries. On querying that a specialist supplier could get one for less than £100 the reader was told was told that it MUST be OM and that the pair were matched and had to be reprogrammed to each other.
11-12-2017: Link giving battery charging instructions for all Phaetons: http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?5601569-Battery-replacement-procedure
