Volkswagen Phaeton

Volkswagen Phaeton
2011 Volkswagen Phaeton in Germany
Overview
Manufacturer	Volkswagen
Production	2002–2016 84.325
Model years	2003–2016
Assembly	Dresden, Germany
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size luxury car (F)
Body style	4-door saloon
Layout	Longitudinal front engine, 4motion permanent all-wheel drive
Platform	Volkswagen Group D1
Related	Audi A8 Bentley Continental GT Bentley Continental Flying Spur
Powertrain
Engine	petrol engines: 3.2 L VR6 3.6 L VR6 4.2 L V8 6.0 L W12 2004-2011 diesel engines: 3.0 L V6 TDI 5.0 L V10 TDI 2003-2007
Transmission	5-speed ZF 5HP24A tiptronic automatic (W12 engine only), 6-speed ZF 6HP19A tiptronic AWD automatic transmission (2004 model, 4.2L, trans code: GUN)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,881 mm (113.4 in) LWB: 3,001 mm (118.1 in)
Length	Pre-2010 SWB: 5,055 mm (199.0 in) Pre-2010 LWB: 5,175 mm (203.7 in) 2010-present SWB: 5,059 mm (199.2 in) 2010-present LWB: 5,179 mm (203.9 in)
Width	1,903 mm (74.9 in)
Height	1,450 mm (57.1 in)
Curb weight	2,449 kg (5,399 lb) (LWB W12)
Chronology
Successor	Volkswagen Phideon (China)

The Volkswagen Phaeton ( listen ) /ˈfeɪtən/ FAY-tən is a full-size (F-segment in Europe) luxury sedan/saloon manufactured by German automaker Volkswagen, described by Volkswagen as their "premium class" vehicle. Introduced at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show, the Phaeton was marketed worldwide. Sales in North America ended in 2006. Sales globally ended in 2016.

The name Phaeton derives from Phaëton, the son of Phoebus (or Helios) in Greek mythology, by way of the phaeton auto body style and the type of horse-drawn carriage that preceded it.

Production ended in March 2016 and an all-electric second generation is slated to be produced.

The Phaeton 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, Mercedes-Benz and BMW. The decision to release the Phaeton was, in part, a response to Mercedes' decision to compete directly with Volkswagen in the European marketplace with the low-cost A-Class. It was also intended to support the Volkswagen brand image. Although the Volkswagen group already has a direct competitor in the full-sized luxury segment, the Audi A8, the Phaeton was intended to be more of a comfort-oriented limousine like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Lexus LS, while the Audi A8 and BMW 7 Series are more sport-oriented.