well I was driving down to Miami Beach and I see 5 of these new VW's that I've never seen. They happened to be the 2002 Volkswagen Phaeton with writers instead taking notes and pictures. They all were numbered and had Arizona plates. Anyone know when these are supposed to come out? I wish I had my digital camera today!





Btw...they looked amazing!

 

I'd love it even more debadged :o

 

one of them had Phaeton written under the VW badge but the others didnt...ummm

 

The Phaeton is a 2004 model.

 

De-badge it and get rid of those ugly wheels.

 

Looks like a downscale A8. Wonder how much you save by getting a VW?

 

The Phaeton looks suspiciously like the A8 L, which makes me wonder why VW/Audi would position the two directly against each other for a piece of a very small market share (super-lux sedans).

I guess I still don't understand why they felt the urge to create this near luxury image for VW when they already have it in their Audi line. And from a marketing perspective, I thought it was the general consensus that we as Americans have a hard time "accepting" top-end luxury cars that share the same naming as cheapo entry level cars. Hence the reason that Honda has Acura, Nissan has Infinity, and Toyota has Lexus - so that there is differentiation between the two.

 

I'm waiting to see if VW/Audi comes out w/ a version of the Porsche Cayenne

 

heh...



I think I like the Porsche better.

 

this is my next car gentlemen...

it is virtually identical to the new A8L, except for a few small details...
it's built in a factory made of glass...it has a team of 40 engineers who are only working to perfect themovement of all the switches and dials inside the cockpit...
it is made entirely of steel, unlike the all aluminum A8L...the Phaeton has set a record for being the most torsionally rigid car ever produced....it also weighs in at 5600pounds!!

there is a rubber seal, from the hood to the engine, thus making the car, virtually silent until you hi about 110MPH and the wind over the mirrors becomes apparent...


oh, and Edgar, the Toureg, is FAR FAR FAR hotter than the Cayenne.

 

That picture of the Toureg doesn't do justice. You have to see it in person. Hitting the dealership showrooms in May/June. My dad's split between the T and the MDX. We're going to check it out as soon as it comes out. I've already checked it out at the Detroit Auto Show, and it was pretty damn nice. Traditional VW fit and finish, everything felt right.

The Phaeton is projected to cost around 60,000 dollars, waaaaay cheaper than its competition, such as the BMW 7-series, Mercedes Benz S-class, and Audi A8/L.

The reason VW is building the Phaeton and getting in the super luxury sedan market segment is because they want to build a new image for their company, and a new market of customers. I'm sure they will succeed.

 

2 photos that do both of these vehicles justice.....

Touareg with the optional 19s (the T-Reg is built in Germany along with the Cayenne).





Phaeton

 

Frankly it's all a matter of opinion, and I'm glad VW is finally doing something about dropping it's effeminate (for lack of a better word) image. Since I'm not privilaged to VW/Audi's R&D costs for both the Phaeton and Touareg, I have no idea how much or little they have invested in this gamble. Since the Phaeton probably shares A8 parts, and we all know the Cayenne and Touareg are related, they probably don't have a ton to loose.
Astroboy, I agree with you about the Phaeton's quality as being it's major selling point. Unfortunately, as car enthusiasts, we the people of A-CL see cars a lot differently that the majority of the car buying market.
With regards to the Cayenne and Touareg and one being hotter than the other, I couldn't really give two shits about either of them. Neither fit my lifestyle, and if I had the money to fork over for them, I'd buy something different. However, the Touareg looks a lot nicer on the inside, so forgive my previous statement.

Oh yeah, and the Touareg/Cayenne can haul groceries like no other.

 

guys...I have to say this car looks 100x better in person. Im hitting myself that I didnt have my camera. One of them had a nice size dent in the door. When the taillights light up...looks so sweet and the HIDs are so bright even during the day. Everyone at the beach was staring them down.

 

The T-Reg looks great IMO. That (along w/ the FX45 and X5 4.4) is an SUV that I'd definately consider driving. What kind of price tag will that carry?

 

As a VW owner, too, I have seen a lot of "buzz" lately on the VW-realted board about the Toureg and the Phaeton.

For those of you who don't know, VW has gotten themselves on this "mission" of going upscale and competing directly with the likes of Mercedes and BMW. I know exactly what you're thinking--that's what they have Audi for--and I agree with you.

Anyhow, I think the introduction of these 2 models are going to be learning experiences for both VW and the American population that buys them.

Why you ask?

Because I view VW's decision to compete with Audi, BMW, and Mercedes as Chevrolet trying to compete with Cadillac. You don't go to a Chevy dealer looking for a luxury car. You don't expect the same leve of fit, finish, and performace in a chevy that you would in a Cadillac (to a certain extent). I don't think VW considered how "brand-dependent" we Americans are. What do you think of when you think of VW? The Rabbit, the Jetta, and maybe the Passat. What do you think of when you think of upscale VW? You think Audi! Also, for those Americans who have never owned a VW and go in looking for a "luxury car ownership experience"--especially when it comes to service--I can tell you from experience that it is just not there! Check out the VW web sites about how poor owners rate dealer service. I've seen posts on the VW sites that the W8 passat is already being axed--because no one is buying it. What happens here, too, will be interesting to see!

 

This shows the base V6 price and V8......along with what a loaded V8 costs.


http://www.lizrd.org/touareg/highres/DSCN0600.JPG

 

OH MY GOD! I'd never pay that much for a VW!

 

You should think twice about that, this is going to be one hell of a VW......the Touareg V8 Premium with the 19s is going to go head to head with the Range Rover. It has more power, guaranteed better build quality, the same or more features (down to the 4 corner air suspension and Nappa leather). Its also about $22k cheaper loaded and looks better IMHO, only thing its missing is the name.

Also, VW is currently making their dealers prepare for the vehicles introduction by redoing the service areas....some are redoing the entire dealerships (since many date back to the 60s and 70s without change).

Those dealers who are not seen as acceptable by VW, are not going to see Phaetons or Touaregs (or see them in volume anyway).

Unfortunately, this economy blows to be introducing high end "non" status nameplate vehicle(s).

 

Please tell me that price tag is in Canadian dollars

 

The vehicle bases at just under $41k for the V8, why is the loaded price of $51k so hard to believe. Skip the premium package and you'll save $7k.

The Touareg is no more overpriced than a X5 or Benz ML (which are both POS).

 

dont know about the X5, but my moms 99 ML was the worst fucking car i have ever driven in my life. horrible, brought SHAME to the MB name...

in fact, when my dad was looking at the E500 my mom kept telling him not to grab it cause of the whole "ML experience"...

when i sit in my dads E500 i dont see how the same company made a POS like the ML

it had an awsome turning radius though, the thing felt like a 3-wheel lift truck

 

The X5 is one of the most highly recalled SUVs ever to exist, that's nothing to brag about.:thumbsdn:

 

god i love that car.

i would tell you why... but robb already hijacked my speech!!! FUCKER!!

 

guys, keep talking shit. one sit down in the toureg and you'll be shuttin up real fast.