Volkswagen Phaeton

GENEVA — Americans never could warm up to the Volkswagen Phaeton, the German automaker's over-the-top luxury sedan. The Phaeton left the U.S. market in 2006, a victim of a negative image and a too-expensive price tag. So when VW rolled out its face-lifted Phaeton on Tuesday at the Geneva auto show, it was clear that the U.S. crowd will have to be content with admiring it from afar.

The redone Phaeton goes on sale in Europe this summer. Key changes include a new face that brings the Phaeton more in line with the VW family look. The Geneva show also marked the debut of a new 3.0-liter V6 TDI engine for the Phaeton that delivers 234 horsepower — a 13-hp increase over the previous V6 TDI engine. VW noted that the new common-rail direct-injection engine meets Euro V emissions standards ahead of the 2009 deadline.

The Phaeton lineup includes three gas engines: a 237-hp 3.2-liter V6, a 330-hp 4.2-liter V8 and a 444-hp 6.0-liter W12.

The Phaeton also gets new bi-xenon adaptive front headlights, as well as a "front and side scan system" that automatically brings the car to a complete stop in "extreme circumstances." The system checks the area beside the Phaeton for obstacles it may encounter during lane changes. The Phaeton also gets two new 19-inch alloy wheel designs, simpler controls for the entertainment system and a new Bluetooth-enabled phone.

© Source: article on insideline
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