Volkswagen - Phaeton

2003 onwards 

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Phaeton is brilliantly engineered, great to drive and fabulously equipped. But despite VW's best efforts and attention to detail, it's the badge that fails to make the grade in the luxury saloon stakes.

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	Superb engineering, quality finish
	Very spacious, smooth-riding and refined
	Excellent high-tech engines
	Lacks credibility in 7-Series and S Class territory
	Bland rather than distinguished or inspiring
	Likely to lose lots of money rapidly

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Does the world want a Volkswagen that thinks it's an S Class? That's the killer question, although Phaeton is a undoubtedly impressive luxury saloon.
VW studied the market and added all the right ingredients. Large, refined and powerful petrol and turbodiesel engines. Sophisticated air suspension to give a magic carpet-like ride. Lots of luxury equipment. And elegant styling. But somehow, all this isn't enough.
The larger engines have four-wheel drive, so their handling and performance is even more assured. Whether driver or a passenger, there's plenty of room, and refinement levels are almost off the scale with barely any road noise and virtually no engine noise.
But a luxury car is usually defined by its interior, where Phaeton's highly adjustable electric seats, sophisticated air conditioning, subtle lighting and extensive use of wood create a superbly relaxed atmosphere.
Despite all this, Phaeton fails in the marketplace. After all, would you pay £60,000 for a 'people's car'?