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VW Resuscitates Phaeton with New Infotainment, Improved Drivetrains

By Colin Mathews
Colin Mathews Colin Mathews
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One part politico, two parts mechanic, and three parts rabid diesel enthusiast, Colin Mathews started his career as a freelance writer in Atlanta in... More

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2 1,501 views Nov 17, 2008

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VW breathes new life into the slow-selling Phaeton luxury vehicle with new infotainment systems and thoroughly reworked drivetrains. The infotainment systems, known as RCD 810 and RNS 810, feature an easy-to-use 8-inch touchscreen that improves usability and convenience. A new range of engines backed by a six-speed automatic transmission all meet the stringent Euro-5 emissions standard.

RCD 810 and RNS 810 promise extended functionality, quicker access to information, and a nearly self-explanatory user interface logic in comparison to the system in the current VW Phaeton. The systems share a common interface with the climate control in the center of the redesigned center console. The climate control now features standard four-zone automatic climate control, and the RNS 810 has an optional Dynaudio Temptation system with 1,000 watts of acoustic power.

The engines, which range from a miserly 3.0-liter TDI turbodiesel V-6, a new 3.6-liter gasoline V-6, all the way up to a potent W-12 engine shared with Bentley, all feature improved drivability and performance. And the diesel manages an impressive 26 mpg average fuel consumption.--Colin Mathews
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Comments (2)

  1. JKD Posted: 11/17/2008 2:45pm PST

    I myself always loved the look and technology behind the Phaeton. I just wish it were more affordable :-)
    Is the new one still made in Dresden? Will it come to the States?
     
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  2. Ed Posted: 11/17/2008 5:57pm PST

    The LOOK? It looks like a fat passat, and it is indeed fat, 5,000++ lbs. 1000+ lbs more obese than its sibling the A8, which is made of ALUMINUM and does not rust.
    The advantage is that it shares most mechanicals with the ueber-expensive BENTLEY. After the Phaeton Bombed, the same factory in Dresden you mentioned now muilds bentleys, which makes much more sense for VW (far bigger profits from essentially the same mechanicals)
    But if you do not mind the boring exterior, you can find a cheap used Phaeton on cars.com, next time gas prices go over $4, or even today.
     
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