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The Daily Insight

Does Volkswagen still make the Phaeton?

Author

Emma Newman

Updated on March 21, 2026

VW has announced that it will halt production of the Volkswagen Phaeton -- the car everyone thought VW stopped making long ago -- at its state-of-the-art factory in Dresden next year, Reuters reports.

Beside this, does VW still make the Phaeton?

After 14 years, Volkswagen has officially discontinued production of the Phaeton. But the cancelation of the large sedan doesn't just spell the end of a single model line. So while VW is introducing a new Phideon sedan to succeed it, that will be sold exclusively in China.

Beside above, is VW Phaeton a Bentley? Unfortunately, this may not be the smartest thing to do because the Phaeton is basically a Bentley underneath; parts and labor are incredibly expensive. However, if you can stomach expensive repair bills, you could be driving one of the most over-engineered cars ever made.

One may also ask, why did Volkswagen Phaeton fail?

The model failed to reach its sales targets and also failed to transform VW's brand image in the U.S. When then-Audi of America chief Axel Mees said at a 2004 press event that the Phaeton's poor sales were due to Volkswagen "underestimating the weakness of the brand," he was immediately sacked.

How much is a VW Phaeton new?

But the Phaeton was truly bizarre, as it was a full-size, long-wheelbase luxury sedan designed to compete with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. And compete it did: The starting price of the V8 model was $65,600, while the 12-cylinder version was an almost unbelievable $95,600 -- about $120,000 in 2017 dollars.

Related Question Answers

How long is a VW Phaeton?

Volkswagen Phaeton
Wheelbase SWB: 2,881 mm (113.4 in) LWB: 3,001 mm (118.1 in)
Length 2002-2009: SWB: 5,055 mm (199.0 in) LWB: 5,175 mm (203.7 in) 2010–2016: SWB: 5,059 mm (199.2 in) LWB: 5,179 mm (203.9 in)
Width 1,903 mm (74.9 in)
Height 1,450 mm (57.1 in)

What is the most expensive Volkswagen?

Volkswagen Touareg

What is a VW Phaeton?

The Volkswagen Phaeton ( listen (help·info)) /ˈfe?t?n/ FAY-t?n (Typ 3D) was a Full-size (F-segment in Europe) luxury sedan/saloon manufactured by the German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen, described by Volkswagen as their "premium class" vehicle.

Is a Volkswagen a luxury car?

While Volkswagen is not generally considered a luxury brand, they do make models that enter realms of near-luxury outfitting. Of course, the Volkswagen Group does manufacture officially-designated luxury vehicles with other brands they own, such as Audi and Bentley.

What is a Phaeton car?

A phaeton is a style of open automobile without any fixed weather protection, which was popular from the 1900s until the 1930s. It is an automotive equivalent of the horse-drawn fast, lightweight phaeton carriage.

What is the luxury car for Volkswagen?

Volkswagen Phaeton
Class Full-size luxury car (F)
Body style 4-door sedan
Layout F4 layout (4motion)
Platform Volkswagen Group D1

Does Volkswagen make a v8?

V8 engine. Volkswagen has only used one fundamental design for its V8 engine - an all-aluminium alloy construction, but with evolutions in engine management and fueling systems. Like its other engines, increases in power necessitated new engine ID codes.

How many Phaetons were sold in the US?

In the United States market, 1,433 Phaetons were sold in 2004, and 820 were sold in 2005, leading the company to announce that sales in the North American market would end after the 2006 model year. The W12 engined models have depreciated significantly, and sell for a small fraction of their original cost.

Is Bentley owned by Volkswagen?

Volkswagen Group owns Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, and Volkswagen.

Is Volkswagen a luxury?

VW isn't a luxury brand, but they sell products that range from the basics, to premium to luxury within their own brand, and go even further in to the luxury market with other brands that are owned by VW, including Bentley, and Audi.

What does a w12 engine look like?

A W12 engine is a twelve-cylinder piston engine which uses a W configuration. This four-bank engine— based on two VR6 engines with a common crankshaft— has been used in various cars sold under the Audi, Bentley and Volkswagen brands.

How does a w12 engine work?

The engine is constructed by mating two narrow-angle 15° VR6 engines at an inclined angle of 72°. The narrow angle of each set of cylinders allows just two overhead camshafts to drive each pair of banks, so the W12 engine has the same number of camshafts as a V12 engine.