tonypilot

I am just curious about your thoughts concerning the VW Phaeton and would like some insight from A8 owners.

I don't know too much about the new VW Phaeton, but what I do know is that it is based on the Audi A8 platform with a lot of similar features. The target market for the Phaeton are those individuals who may purchase a Mercedes S class or BMW 7 series sedan. I was just wondering why any person would want to purchase a VW Phaeton over an A8. I hear the VW is supposed to be slightly cheaper, but you are only talking 8K at the most. Unless I'm missing something, why would a person choose the Phaeton over the Audi. With Audi you get the better customer service, better dealerships (some VW dealerships look more like used car lots), plus you get the greater snob factor from the Audi name (always important when you are talking about $60K plus). Any insight would be appreciated.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/6002/profile2_lrg.jpg">

PaulW

I like the lines, but it is much, much heavier than the A8L (which isn't a lightweight either).

How come the BMW 5 series is 50 lighter than the old one? Why didn't Audi continue on providing a light weight car?

pw

BackToBasics

I don't get the positioning, the target audience, the 'fit' in the brand, or the price point. Unless VW plans a huge dealership and customer service overhaul, I don't see how they will sell this car to the target audience. Can't wait to see VW's own positioning and marketing on this car.

The outside lines look nice, but the pics I've seen of the interior look very mechanical and boxy, not attractive IMO. I can't see how this does anything but eat into Audi's ability to hit their 5,000 A8L target, although only a ver small % as I don't think A8L prospects will be attracted to this car regardless of price point.

Xialater

The Phaeton was not developed with the A8....it is a completely seperate animal. VAG split the Audi group to handle the sport side of things. The VW is more going after the high end "luxury" market - think true luxo barges. The A8 is to satisfy a different market, for people who are looking for a "sportier" car.

Pricewise, depending on options for the Phaeton, they can be MORE expensive than the A8.....From a luxury/finish standpoint, it is in some ways superior to the A8, and in person, it looks a MILLION times better than it does in pictures. They had a couple on display at the airport in Munich when I was travelling there November of last year. They also had the A8 there, and from seeing them in the same setting, I actually preferred the Phaeton from a strict appearance standpoint.

Personally, I don't understand why VW is doing it....they don't have the brand name, they don't have the quality recognition and they certainly don't have the service reputation people who buy these cars want, but.....they built one hell of a car.....Give me 3 years, and I'll buy a used one, since they are gonna depreciate like a ROCK.

JimR

<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/other/msgs/1623643.phtml">Not a response to your questions/comments, just thought I'd put this here rather than start a new thread.</a></li></ul>

NJMG

I really like the new Phaeton, and I think VW should be congratulated for such a feat. I think everyone should think back to Lexus 14 years ago, nobody would dare to even contemplate a Japanese Toyota being transformed into a full-blown luxury car. So I think the VW Phaeton is viable, just give it time.

The Phaeton does have a slightly different target market than the A8L. The Phaeton has been built to compete with the S-Class/LS430/Jaguar XJ side of the market. I don't know about anyone here but I consider the 7-Series and A8L to be aiming for a separate segment.

This car was the dream child of Dr Piech, and while it's development may seem foolish, I think it will be a good learning curve for VW - they have the technology, power and money these days and I would hardly call the inevitable filter down of technology to other VW models a bad thing. Every luxury car company has had to start somewhere, for Jaguar it was the manufacture of sidecars, for BMW- motorcycles. VW is certainly trying to improve its image, and from what I can see they are having a marked success. In Australia the new Touareg 4WD is quite expensive (in BMW X5 V8 territory) and VW dealers aren't having any trouble moving these cars. So while the Phaeton might ultimately be a mistake, I think it will be an invaluable experience for VW, to improve both their image and their abilities to promote themselves as a prestige manufacturer.

The engineering in this car is phenomenal, VW has spent so much time and money creating this car - I think the interior is a work of art, a mixture between German efficiency and British ambience. The body is extremely strong (class leader with a torsional strength of 34000 Newtons I think it was). While the W12 engine is no power demon, I don't think this was VW's intention - there is certainly adequate power.

The Phaeton hasn't sold as well in Europe as expected, and from what I have gathered from US users, it seems many of you would be unwilling to buy a Phaeton. However I think that to buy the Phaeton you have to be able to look past the car's roots, instead focussing on the superb feat that this car actually is.

(That said I still love the A8)

skiracer

I agree 100%- when they first announced this car, I was baffled by the same items you mention.

D3AeighT

Is it an all Aluminum car?????????

Xialater

nope