Volkswagen shrinking next-gen Phaeton

Just_me · 04-23-2007, 08:54 AM

Contrary to the trend for automakers to increase a car’s size with each new model change, Volkswagen is planning to shrink its flagship Phaeton sedan for the all-new 2010 model. The announcement comes straight from VW boss Martin Winterkorn who told reporters at Germany’s Der Spiegel the next Phaeton will be based on the next-gen Audi A6 with the two vehicles sharing many components.

VW is expected to make substantial savings because there’s no need to develop expensive components such as transmissions or powertrains. The current model Phaeton never managed to meet its projected sales expectations, with only a quarter of the 20,000 planned units rolling off the showroom floor.

The Phaeton had several pitfalls going against it. Unlike its aluminum constructed Audi A8 sibling, the Phaeton weighs too much, lacks performance and is very thirsty. The VW label also lacks the brand cachet needed in this premium segment. The German giant won’t be making the same mistake with its next version. According to the source, the new Audi A8 will be larger than the Phaeton and will showcase technologies earmarked for the next-generation Bentley Continental.

siko · 04-23-2007, 09:36 AM

Makes perfect sense to me... shrink it, drop some weight, improve the weak points, build on lower-end platform which should mean lower sticker price. Hopefully lodged between the A6 and the A8, not directly competing with wither... hell, VW is learning from its mistakes. This might actually work this time!

BMW_Dude · 04-23-2007, 10:28 AM

If the car is A6 sized, why would someone buy it over a passat, I think the two cars would be too similar in size!

Lets see what happens!

phaeton · 04-23-2007, 05:29 PM

So where does the Passat Coupe fit into ?

04-23-2007, 08:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
Just_me Expert Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sweden Posts: 12,612 Thanks: 741 Thanked 2,035 Times in 1,028 Posts	Volkswagen shrinking next-gen Phaeton Contrary to the trend for automakers to increase a car’s size with each new model change, Volkswagen is planning to shrink its flagship Phaeton sedan for the all-new 2010 model. The announcement comes straight from VW boss Martin Winterkorn who told reporters at Germany’s Der Spiegel the next Phaeton will be based on the next-gen Audi A6 with the two vehicles sharing many components. VW is expected to make substantial savings because there’s no need to develop expensive components such as transmissions or powertrains. The current model Phaeton never managed to meet its projected sales expectations, with only a quarter of the 20,000 planned units rolling off the showroom floor. The Phaeton had several pitfalls going against it. Unlike its aluminum constructed Audi A8 sibling, the Phaeton weighs too much, lacks performance and is very thirsty. The VW label also lacks the brand cachet needed in this premium segment. The German giant won’t be making the same mistake with its next version. According to the source, the new Audi A8 will be larger than the Phaeton and will showcase technologies earmarked for the next-generation Bentley Continental.

04-23-2007, 09:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
siko Devotee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 3,586 My Mood: Thanks: 815 Thanked 688 Times in 362 Posts	Re: Volkswagen shrinking next-gen Phaeton Makes perfect sense to me... shrink it, drop some weight, improve the weak points, build on lower-end platform which should mean lower sticker price. Hopefully lodged between the A6 and the A8, not directly competing with wither... hell, VW is learning from its mistakes. This might actually work this time!

04-23-2007, 10:28 AM	#3 (permalink)
BMW_Dude Aficionado Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 4,224 My Mood: Thanks: 265 Thanked 392 Times in 234 Posts	Re: Volkswagen shrinking next-gen Phaeton If the car is A6 sized, why would someone buy it over a passat, I think the two cars would be too similar in size! Lets see what happens!

04-23-2007, 05:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
phaeton Contributor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Australia - South Australia Posts: 1,165 Thanks: 1,040 Thanked 453 Times in 244 Posts	Re: Volkswagen shrinking next-gen Phaeton So where does the Passat Coupe fit into ?

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