Volkswagen's 2004 High-Luxury Phaeton - take my breath away

By Vince Bodiford,
Automotive Editor

Before we get started, let's clear up a few things. First, "Phaeton." Say it "fayh-ton." Car names have a way of twisting even the most talented tongues, and the Phaeton name is no exception.

Next, the word Phaeton describes a type of wheeled vehicle - a lightweight four wheeled coach drawn by fast, powerful horses in the pre-motoring days - and then later, the name was rightly affixed to the most luxurious, fast and agile super cars. Duesengburg, Rolls Royce, Packard, Hispano Suiza - all built giant, powerful Phaetons. "Phaeton" therefore describes a thing, not a brand.

Finally, that this is a Volkswagen. Nearly everyone (excepting only my most hard-core German-car-phile friends) had something to say about this big Phaeton being a "Volkswagen." It's not 1965 anymore, baby, so put the bong away and get with the program - Volkswagen AG builds some of the finest cars on the planet, period.

Real automotive Phaetons have been absent from the scene for a very long time. But today we live in the second Golden Age of Automobiles, and therefore it is a right and good thing to have the genuine automotive article - a real Phaeton - among the cookie cutter cars crowding the highways.

These all-new Phaeton sedans are available in two distinct versions, a 335-horsepower V8 and a 420-hp W12. Both models provide a unique and dynamic driving experience and continue in the Volkswagen tradition of offering a strong value for the money compared to their noteworthy German competitors. Driving this massive and elegant Phaeton is effortless and sheer automotive pleasure - taking its place among those very few cars that has swept me off my feet - it takes my breath away.

This car is designed to appeal to 'Transcendent Drivers' - people who are not resigned to traditional German luxury-car pretenses, traditional boundaries and badges. In short, this means you can have all the supercar luxury that money can buy, and enjoy a bit of anonymity. It's becoming quite fashionable to possess something this magnificent, and not flaunt the fancy brand or nameplate. Its luxury therefore is largely invisible, from the outside at least.

By introducing the exquisitely crafted and confident Phaeton in the U.S. high-end luxury segment, Volkswagen is not abandoning its value story. Indeed, with Phaeton, Volkswagen is poised to widen its appeal by bringing Volkswagen's renowned value for the money equation to a premium segment. With a base price of $64,600, the 2004 Phaeton V8 delivers the best qualities of German-engineering and luxury at a notable value.

The stretched Phaeton - my personal favorite - to be sold first in the United States, measures nearly five inches longer than the Phaeton model that went on sale in Europe last year.

The 118-inch wheelbase Phaeton sedan has plenty of legroom and compares more than favorably in spaciousness, comfort and attention-to-luxury detail to its worthy competitors. At almost 204 inches in length and standing 57 inches tall, Phaeton is Volkswagen's biggest and, correspondingly, most powerful car ever. Yet, the quietly elegant and aesthetically pleasing Phaeton debuts as one of the most accessible and best equipped German high-end luxury sedans ever.

Simple yet stylish Teutonic lines hint at Phaeton's promise of Autobahn-tested performance and precision driving, a testament to the best of German engineering and technical prowess. The car is very well designed, very clean with sweeping lines that draw the eye towards the car, noticing small yet elegant details. It's proportions are large yet not massive.

The Phaeton is assembled in Volkswagen's state-of-the-art "transparent" factory. Opened in 2002, the facility is located in Dresden, Germany. This factory is akin to an art gallery - and to automotive enthusiasts is indeed a work of art - with large open expanses, its clean interior visible from outside through massive glass panels. Inside, white-jacketed engineers carefully craft each Phaeton, moving the car from one engineering bay to the next in massive robotic cradles.

For the U.S. market, Phaeton offers two exceptionally powerful engine configurations. The high-torque 4.2-liter V8 engine delivers a strong 335 hp at 6,500 revolutions per minute going from 0 to 60 in 6.7 seconds. The top-of-line 6.0-liter W12 (yes... that's twelve magical cylinders) engine registers a remarkable 420 hp at 6,000 rpm. The W12 accelerates from 0-to-60 in a scant 5.9 seconds.

The base price of the W12 is $94,600, and it is available for individual orders in a variety of luxurious configurations at 225 select Volkswagen dealerships across the United States. Despite being highly advanced, supremely equipped, and the most expensive Volkswagen ever, the 6.0-liter, 420-hp Phaeton W12 represents a unique value in its rarified segment as the most affordable 12-cylinder luxury vehicle on sale in the U.S. market.

Both the V8 and W12 Phaetons offer Volkswagen's exclusive 4MOTION®, a permanent all-wheel-drive system with a Torsen(r) (TORque SENsing) center differential. 4MOTION four-wheel drive offers significant advantages in traction and handling when compared to rear-wheel drive configurations typical of this segment. Power flows from the automatic transmission's gearbox to the Torsen differential, which automatically regulates the 50/50 power distribution to front and rear axles.

The Phaeton debut comes on the heels of the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg sport utility vehicle launched earlier in 2003. With Phaeton and Touareg, Volkswagen's six model lineup expands to eight formidable contenders.

Phaeton represents a natural evolution of Volkswagen's DNA. That concept becomes evident when considering where Volkswagen has gone and where it's going with a distinctive and evolving product line - from the New Beetle to the award-winning Touareg.

Quietly elegant, Phaeton offers as standard an abundance of comforts and conveniences. Volkswagen designers took care to assure Phaeton's world-class interior and exterior elements convey a sense of safety and tranquility combined with technical innovation and understated elegance. Meticulous attention to detail is seen in the ample use of premium quality materials in the cabin - from walnut or eucalyptus wood to supple Italian leather, sophisticated chrome and brushed metal, all harmoniously integrated to create incredible ambience, functionality and authenticity.

Phaeton's high-tech and confident luxury character can be seen in exterior details like its contemporary Xenon headlights. A tapered front-end design highlights an elegant and robust interpretation of the modern family of Volkswagen cars - almost an iconic image of the brand. Unobtrusive contours take a confident course to the rear of the vehicle. Those with an eye for design will note the bright, round taillights that reflect the logical geometry of an elegantly modest lamp design.

Drivers can choose from four-seat or five-seat Phaeton four-door models. The four-seater comes with a wood-trimmed console between the rear seats. The Phaeton features world-class Climatronic^TM, a draft-free, four-zone climate control system with humidity sensors and separate temperature controls. Other standard features include heated washer nozzles for front windshield, courtesy entry-exit lights at all doors, an oversized glass sunroof with a deluxe power shade, and a premium AM/FM sound system. Additional equipment includes a glovebox-mounted six-CD changer, trunk closing assist, a HomeLink® universal transmitter to program garage doors and home lights, and a remote-key anti-theft alarm system.

An integrated infotainment center with numerous personal profile settings features a seven-inch color screen that functions with the CD changer, navigation system, onboard trip computer and air conditioning.

Outside, sturdily constructed doors feature triple seals and double glass windows to isolate road noise and assure a quiet ride.

For superior ride and handling, Phaeton's air suspension system includes Electronic Damping Control, a program that automatically adapts the suspension to all driving conditions, road surfaces and vehicle speeds without the driver's input. The electronically controlled system for regulating shock absorbers uses wheel acceleration sensors to monitor road conditions as the vehicle moves. The suspension has two driveradjustable heights and four shock-absorber settings.

Going well beyond what is expected even in this rarified class of vehicle, the Phaeton V8 makes a distinctive, confident entrance or exit with sporty alloy wheels (with an alloy spare). Other unique luxury features on the Phaeton V8 include standard 18-way power adjustable comfort driver seat; 18-inch alloy wheels; ambient lighting; superior wood interior trim; a leather-wrapped, hand-stitched steering wheel with multifunction controls (cruise, audio, onboard computer); and self-dimming, power, flush folding exterior mirrors with memory function. Inside, the Phaeton has self-dimming, memory interior mirrors; stainless steel pedals; power rear window sunshades and side manual sunshades to assure even more cabin comfort; and a pass-through with ski bag.

The Phaeton V8 also offers as standard a 10-speaker, 190-watt premium sound system and a new OnStar(r) Telematics feature, plus a convenient center-console-mounted seven-inch screen navigation system that is easy to use and understand.

Moreover, the driver-oriented cockpit includes an instrument panel with a five-inch color multifunction display of vital information needed for self-assured driving.

The limited-edition Phaeton W12 comes with a host of special standard features. To name a few: quad-visible exhaust pipes versus dual pipes on the V8 model; a sporty leather-wrapped, hand-stitched heated steering wheel with multifunction controls; a world-class, four-zone Climatronic system with rear-seat climate controls; and an upgraded 12-speaker, 270-watt sound system with digital sound processing. A coating of metalized infrared foil on windows is heat-reflective and shatter-resistant, while promoting interior comfort.

As with all Volkswagen vehicles, concern for safety is uppermost in Phaeton. As standard safety equipment, both the V8 and W12 models have eight airbags, including Volkswagen's Side Curtain Protection(tm); a four-wheel Anti-lock Braking System with emergency brake assist; electronic park assist; an advanced Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) ®; and a tire pressure monitoring system.

Bottom line - the new Volkswagen Phaeton, in either touring or long wheelbase, eight or twelve-cylinder engine - is a fine example of leading automotive engineering, design and construction, that is also a pleasure to drive and own.

COMPARISON VEHICLES: Audi S8, BMW 7-Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

HIGHS: A true supercar Phaeton. Superlative mechanicals rival the great achievements of mankind to date.

LOWS: Thirst for fuel.

WARRANTY: Four-year/50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. Additional coverage includes a five-year/60,000 mile fully transferable powertrain warranty, corrosion perforation coverage for 12 years with unlimited mileage and four-year/50,000 mile, 24-hour roadside assistance.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit www.vw.com.

LIFE'S A TRIP - Enjoy the drive. Be a safe and courteous driver, obey all highway laws, never drive impaired and buckle everyone up. Copyright © 2004 The Weekend Drive, All Rights Reserved.