It’s the invisible status car offering total luxury, impeccable engineering, serious performance, but also being completely envy-proof.

THE VWIMPECCABLE ENGINEERINGThe Phaeton is the flagship of VW’s range and was conceived by

Ferdinand Piëch, then chairman of Volkswagen Group Piëch

wanted Volkswagen engineers to create a car that would

surpass the German prestige market leaders such as Mercedes-Benz

and BMW.

Initial development of the Phaeton was given the internal project

code VW611 and began with Piëch giving his engineers a list of ten

parameters the car needed to fulfill. Most of these specifications

were not made known to the public, but a number of them were told

to automotive reporters. One of them was that the Phaeton should be

capable of being driven all day at 300 kilometres per hour (186 mph)

with an exterior temperature of 50 °C (122 °F) whilst maintaining

the interior temperature at 22 °C (72 °F). Piëch requested this even

though the Phaeton’s top speed was electronically limited to 250

kilometres per hour (155.3 mph). Very high standards were set from

the off to make the very best available.

The Phaeton’s platform is shared with the Bentley Continental

GT and Bentley Continental Flying Spur. Certain systems, such as

the automatic transmission and some engines, are also shared with

the Audi A8. This platform is a stand-alone steel platform specifically

developed for the Phaeton and Bentley Continental.

Development of the vehicle led to over 100 individual patents

specific to the Phaeton.

Distinctive features include

a draftless four-zone climate

system, air compressor

suspension system, and standard

Torsen-based 4motion four-

wheel drive.

It’s the invisible status

car offering total luxury,

impeccable engineering, serious

performance, but also being

completely envy-proof. No one’s

ever going to scratch a key down

the side, or stop you getting in at

a junction. Nor will they steal it as

it keeps winning awards for being

the most secure car on Earth.

The Phaeton looks just like

a slightly bigger Passat. Inside

it is a very different story where

the rear seats are so big and the

climate control so perfect that

it’s like walking into one of those

‘relaxation rooms’ they have in

spas.

The Phaeton has heated and

cooled everything, with little fans

in the seats to make sure your

back’s the same temperature as

your front. It’s even dehumidified,

so the windows never steam up.

I adore the Automatic

Distance Control. I suffer with

a dodgy knee and on a long trip

it can be a constant ache. The

Phaeton will watch how fast

the car in front’s going and slow

down or speed up accordingly

giving me the opportunity to

move my legs around on a 8 hour

trip to Scotland. I usually fall out

of the car and limp for the next

day, whereas in the Phaeton I felt

like a spring chicken on arrival.

Lots of the top end cars we review have a similar system however I did

feel the VW was one of the slickest I have used.

The driving position helped with my knee issues as did the seats.

These are adjustable in 18 different ways ensuring you will find

comfort. There is good view all round (you get a blind-spot radar to

help with that, too). Under the bonnet you can choose the stupidly fast

six-litre W12 out of the Bentley Continental – but I had the smaller

engine in the range, and I think the best choice, a 3.0-litre turbo diesel.

At 237hp it’s no supercar, but you really don’t want to be flinging

something this size around the bends, revving madly like an idiot. It

belongs on the motorway, and sweeping down the fast lane is where

this thing thrives.

The Phaeton is so smooth and quiet that you have to open the

window to confirm you’re really moving. That’s partly due to ‘double

lamination’ soundproofing and partly to a great air-suspension system

called Continuous Damping Control, which keeps you steady and

even hunkers down at speed to improve grip. Its four settings, from

Comfort to Sport2, are brilliant: you can actually tell the difference.

Chatting in the cabin at high speed is not hindered by road noise.

Having put a lot of miles on the clock I’m very impressed with this

car – it drives better than it looks, and the feeling inside is equal to

anything in cars twice the price.

BY STEVE WARMAN Phaeton