On the road
Awesomely silky is the best way to describe the experience of driving the Phaeton. The 4.2L V8 borrowed from Audi generates impressive power. Picture a 2 356 kg freight train reaching 100 km/h in only 6.7 seconds. Only a faint and muscular rumble from the engine makes its way into the cabin, just enough to remind the driver than the car is moving. The V8 produces gobs of brawn but the trade-off is an enormous thirst for fuel: 19 litres per 100 km to be exact. Granted, 75% of my driving is done in the city, but even during the highway cruising, I was never able to do better than 17L / 100 km. The fact that the Phaeton was delivered to me with only 650 km did not help in the matter. I can only imagine that the W12 will consume more fuel while rocketing to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds!
In the same honeyed theme, the transmission is always on top of its game. It will kick down at the earliest indication of the desire of acceleration. Upshifts are mega smooth. It is almost as though the programming of the transmission allowed some slippage between gears to avoid the normal shift-shock. On some occasions though, it did downshift harshly from 3rd to 2nd and from 2nd to 1st when decelerating.
The steering lacks feel but it remains quite precise. It is very light and feedback is very muffled. Cruising at highway speeds does nothing to perturb the Phaeton. The combination of its weight and the bolted-down feeling provided by the 4MOTION system as well as the variable suspension, generate a feeling that nears invulnerability. Out of the four settings, I preferred the second position. It breaks down as follows: Comfort, Comfort-Sport, Sport-Comfort and Sport. It benefits from a smoother ride and highway stability.
Safety
The car has standard dual front air bags, available ABS brakes, electronic brake force distribution (except on the base GS I4), and seatbelt pre-tensionners. The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) awarded the car 4 out of 5 stars (a good result) for a frontal impact and 3 out of 5 stars (an average result) for the front passengers and 4 out of 5 stars for the rear passengers in lateral impacts. The IIHS has rated it a "Best Pick" in its category.
Conclusion
No matter where I went with the car, people would look at the Phaeton
because of its size, the fog lights and the Bi-Xenon headlights. The problem was that it was never more than a quick glance because the passers-by would see the VW logo on the big grille. I knew what this car was all about, what it could do and how much it costs, but very few people are aware of the existence of the Phaeton. If it had been a Mercedes or a BMW, the reaction may have been different.
As I drove this car, I realized that everything about it works in unison to both pamper and propel its passengers in absolute comfort and luxury. A couple of years ago, I tested a BMW 745i, one of the Phaeton's principal competitors. It was quite an experience, as one would imagine however, in comparison, it lacked the refinement and creaminess of the big Volkswagen. As I have mentioned in other tests, Volkswagens have a poor reliability history, and it is well known. Many of the problems they have had are related to electronics. I must admit that I am a little concerned about how long this car will remain problem free.
Awesomely silky is the best way to describe the experience of driving the Phaeton. The 4.2L V8 borrowed from Audi generates impressive power. Picture a 2 356 kg freight train reaching 100 km/h in only 6.7 seconds. Only a faint and muscular rumble from the engine makes its way into the cabin, just enough to remind the driver than the car is moving. The V8 produces gobs of brawn but the trade-off is an enormous thirst for fuel: 19 litres per 100 km to be exact. Granted, 75% of my driving is done in the city, but even during the highway cruising, I was never able to do better than 17L / 100 km. The fact that the Phaeton was delivered to me with only 650 km did not help in the matter. I can only imagine that the W12 will consume more fuel while rocketing to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds!
In the same honeyed theme, the transmission is always on top of its game. It will kick down at the earliest indication of the desire of acceleration. Upshifts are mega smooth. It is almost as though the programming of the transmission allowed some slippage between gears to avoid the normal shift-shock. On some occasions though, it did downshift harshly from 3rd to 2nd and from 2nd to 1st when decelerating.
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Safety
The car has standard dual front air bags, available ABS brakes, electronic brake force distribution (except on the base GS I4), and seatbelt pre-tensionners. The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) awarded the car 4 out of 5 stars (a good result) for a frontal impact and 3 out of 5 stars (an average result) for the front passengers and 4 out of 5 stars for the rear passengers in lateral impacts. The IIHS has rated it a "Best Pick" in its category.
Conclusion
No matter where I went with the car, people would look at the Phaeton
 |
As I drove this car, I realized that everything about it works in unison to both pamper and propel its passengers in absolute comfort and luxury. A couple of years ago, I tested a BMW 745i, one of the Phaeton's principal competitors. It was quite an experience, as one would imagine however, in comparison, it lacked the refinement and creaminess of the big Volkswagen. As I have mentioned in other tests, Volkswagens have a poor reliability history, and it is well known. Many of the problems they have had are related to electronics. I must admit that I am a little concerned about how long this car will remain problem free.