|
2006 Volkswagen Phaeton
Body style(s): 4-door sedan
| Trim levels: |
MSRP: |
V8
W12
|
$66,700
$96,600
dest. charge: $655
|
Notes
For 2006, minor changes marked the Phaeton in what would be its final year of
U.S. sales. The grillework was revised yet again (providing the eagle-eyed
enthusiast with the ability to authoritatively identify a Phaeton to a precise
model year just by looking at its nose). More substantively, the W-12 engine
was subjected to some tweaking, switching from a wet- to dry-sump oil system,
which helped to the engine to the tune of extra 24
horsepower out of the uniquely-configured motor. Unfortunately, this did nothing
to improve the car's dreadful fuel economy -- in fact, the highway economy of the
Phaeton W12 fell to 18 miles per gallon. Both cars were classed as gas guzzlers
by the EPA; the V8 model incurred a $1300 gas tax, while the W12 cost $3000.
The price of the V8 model fell slightly. The OnStar telematics system was discontinued,
but Bluetooth wireless phone connectivity was added partway through the model year.
Active cruise control was slated to be added for the '06 model year, but never arrived.
With sales continuing to slump, Volkswagen decided that the American market was no longer
worth the trouble of importing the Phaeton, and the model was discontinued after the
2006 model year. The demise of the Phaeton showed the weakness of VW's attempt to move
upmarket in the United States, and other models were subjected to vigorous cost-cutting
in an effort to bring their prices under control and increase demand. The Phaeton was
a good car in many ways, with high feature content and plenty of innovation, although
its hefty curb weight made it rather less athletic than many of its competitors. Reliability,
the bane of 00s Volkswagen, was an issue for the Phaeton as well, with car magazines
reporting numerous electrical gremlins on their long-term test vehicles.
Phaeton production continued in Europe after 2006, as the
company sought to develop a new model to slot above (but not so far above) the Passat
in the USA VW lineup.
Series: 2004-2006
design
Drivetrain:
Construction:
Seats:
Engine(s):
|
longitudinal front-engine, permanent all-wheel drive
steel unibody
5, opt. 4
4.2 L multiport-injected V-8 [V8]
Valvetrain: dual-overhead-cam, 5 valves/cylinder
Bore x stroke: 84.5 x 93.0 mm
Compression ratio: 11.0 to 1 (91-octane unleaded)
Horsepower (SAE net): 335 bhp @ 6500 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 317 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manumatic (final drive ratio 3.65:1)
Differential: Torsen limited-slip center
EPA fuel economy (city/hwy, 1985 test): 15/22 mpg
6.0 L multiport-injected W-12 [W12]
Valvetrain: dual-overhead-cam, 4 valves/cylinder
Bore x stroke: 84.0 x 90.2 mm
Compression ratio: 10.8 to 1 (91-octane unleaded)
Horsepower (SAE net): 444 bhp @ 6000 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 406 lb-ft @ 3250-4250 rpm
Transmission: 5-speed manumatic (final drive ratio 3.10:1)
Differential: Torsen limited-slip center
EPA fuel economy (city/hwy, 1985 test): 12/18 mpg
|
DIMENSIONS
|
EPA Class:
|
LARGE CAR
|
|
Wheelbase:
|
118.1"
|
|
Length:
|
203.7"
|
|
Width:
|
74.9"
|
|
Height:
|
57.1"
|
|
Track, F:
|
64.1"
|
|
Track, R:
|
63.5"
|
|
Clearance:
|
5.0" (std., adj. over 4.4"-6.0" range)
|
|
|
|
Curb weight:
|
5194 lbs.
5399 lbs. (W12)
|
|
|
|
Interior vol.:
|
54/55 cu ft. (f/r)
|
|
Cargo vol.:
|
13.0 cu ft.
|
|
Fuel tank:
|
23.8 gal.
|
Technical
|
Tires:
|
255/45R18;
235/55R17 [snow-chain-compatible ] (opt.)
|
Suspension:
(f/r)
|
indep.: multilink, adj. self-leveling air springs, adj. tube shocks, anti-roll bar
indep.: multilink, adj. self-leveling air springs, adj. tube shocks, anti-roll bar
|
|
Brakes:
|
disc/disc, power-assisted (14.2" vented/12.2" vented)
|
|
Steering:
|
rack-and-pinion, variable power-assisted (ratio 14.0:1, 2.8 turns-to-lock)
|
|
Active sys.:
|
antilock brakes,
elect. brake distribution,
emrg. brake assist,
traction control,
stability control
|
|
Airbags:
|
dual front,
dual f/r side,
dual f/r curtain
|
Standard Equipment
|
V8
|
Seating:
leather upholstery,
12-way heated power front bucket seats,
power front seatbelt adjusters,
rear 3-place bench seat.
Equipment:
power windows,
power door locks,
heated power mirrors (electrochromatic driver, electrochromatic & reversing tilt-down passenger),
power tilt/telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel w/ cabin controls,
memory system,
cruise control,
navigation system,
LCD information display,
retained accessory power,
power sunroof,
power rear sunshade,
rear side sunshades,
universal garage opener,
rear window grid antenna,
trip computer,
tachometer,
exterior temperature gauge,
compass,
power door assist,
power trunk assist.
Climate control:
air conditioning,
4-zone automatic climate control,
rear ventilation,
engine-powered residual heating,
interior air filter,
dehumidifier,
rear defogger.
Entertainment:
AM/FM radio,
6-disc glovebox-mounted CD changer,
10 speakers,
cellular telephone wireless interface (delayed availability).
Cabin features:
front floor center console w/ climate-controlled covered storage & integrated armrest,
leather-wrapped floor shifter,
push-button electronic parking brake,
eucalyptus wood & leatherette cabin trim,
4 cupholders (2 in f console, 2 in rear center armrest),
4 12-volt power outlets (1 at front of floor console [int. w/ flashlight], 1 in front center storage compartment, 1 at rear of front floor console, 1 in trunk),
integrated controller,
analog clock,
remote fuel-filler & trunk releases,
locking glove box,
covered in-dash storage,
f/r retractable door bins,
front seatback map pockets,
folding r center armrest w/ storage,
f/r door ancillary storage,
dual dome lights,
ambient lighting,
f/r dual map lights,
electrochromatic rearview mirror,
f/r dual illuminated visor mirrors,
carpeting,
floor mats,
rechargable flashlight (integrated in front of floor console),
first-aid kit,
trunk pass-through.
Exterior:
12-spoke alloy wheels,
dual chrome exhaust.
Technical:
dual redundant 12-volt batteries,
anti-scrape suspension lift setting.
Lights:
daytime-running lights,
dual f fog lights,
auto-on/off quad-lamp xenon/halogen headlights,
headlight washers,
mirror-mounted turn signals,
puddle lamps,
LED brake lights,
LED CHMSL.
Safety:
tire-pressure monitor,
theft-deterrent system,
full-size spare tire,
variable-intermittent rain-sensing wipers w/ heated washers,
emrg. trunk release.
|
|
W12
|
Equipped as per V8. Additionally:
Seating:
upgraded leather trim,
18-way heated/ventilated/massaging power driver's seat w/ power lumbar,
16-way heated/ventilated/massaging power f passenger's seat w/ power lumbar,
heated rear outboard seats.
Equipment:
heated power tilt/telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel w/ audio controls,
power trunk closer.
Climate control:
rear LCD display for climate control.
Entertainment:
premium sound system,
12 speakers,
cellular telephone cradle/dock.
Cabin features:
walnut wood & leatherette cabin trim,
IR-coated window glass.
Exterior:
7-spoke alloy wheels,
quad chrome exhaust.
|
Notable Options
|
Major Packages:
|
Comfort/Cold Weather Pkg.:
Seating:
upgraded leather trim,
18-way heated/ventilated/massaging power driver's seat w/ power lumbar adj.,
16-way heated/ventilated/massaging power f passenger's seat w/ power lumbar adj.,
heated/ventilated/massaging rear outboard seats w/ power lumbar adj.
Equipment:
heated power tilt/telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel w/ cabin controls.
Climate control:
rear LCD display for climate control.
(V8 = $4800. N/A WITH 4-SEATER PKG.)
Comfort Pkg.:
Seating:
heated/ventilated/massaging rear outboard seats w/ power lumbar adj.
(W12 = $1790. N/A WITH 4-SEATER PKG.)
4-Seater Pkg. V8:
Seating:
upgraded leather trim,
18-way heated/ventilated/massaging power driver's seat w/ power lumbar adj.,
16-way heated/ventilated/massaging power f passenger's seat w/ power lumbar adj.,
10-way power heated/cooled/massaging rear bucket seats w/ power lumbar adj.
Equipment:
heated power tilt/telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel w/ cabin controls.
Climate control:
rear LCD display for climate control.
Cabin features: full-length wood floor console,
dual folding front armrests w/ integrated storage,
floor console climate-controlled covered storage compartment,
2 cupholders in rear floor console,
dual folding rear armrests w/ integrated storage,
rear console covered storage compartment.
Subtracted:
Cabin features:
2 cupholders in rear center armrest. (V8 = $7650. N/A WITH COMFORT/COLD WEATHER PKG. OR CELL PHONE PREP.)
4-Seater Pkg. W12:
Seating:
10-way power heated/cooled/massaging rear bucket seats w/ power lumbar adj.
Cabin features: full-length wood floor console,
dual folding front armrests w/ integrated storage,
floor console climate-controlled covered storage compartment,
2 cupholders in rear floor console,
dual folding rear armrests w/ integrated storage,
rear console covered storage compartment.
Subtracted:
Entertainment:
cellular telephone cradle/dock.
Cabin features:
2 cupholders in rear center armrest. (W12 = $4700. N/A WITH COMFORT PKG.)
Technology Pkg.:
Equipment:
power trunk closer.
Safety:
rear obstacle-detection system. (V8 = $1150)
|
|
Equipment:
|
remote keyless entry (all = $500)
|
|
Entertainment:
|
premium sound system w/ 12 speakers (V8 = $1000)
cellular telephone preparation [cradle/dock/antenna] [early availability only] (V8 = $385. N/A W/ 4-SEATER PKG.)
|
|
Cabin features:
|
chestnut interior wood trim (all = $500)
myrtle interior wood trim (all = $500)
walnut interior wood trim (V8 = $500)
|
|
Exterior:
|
metallic point (all = $1000)
Klavierlack high-gloss paint (all = $2000.)
heliochrome paint (all = $4000)
15-spoke snow-chain-compatible alloy wheels w/ 235/45R17 tires (V8/W12 = $0)
|
|
Safety:
|
rear obstacle-detection system (W12 = $700)
|
Performance
|
Acceleration (0-60 mph):
|
6.6 sec. (V8, R/T: 05/05)
|
|
Maximum speed:
|
130 mph (governed)
|
|
Braking (60-0 mph):
|
122 ft.
|
|
Roadholding (skidpad):
|
0.83 g (V8),
0.77 g (W12)
|
|
Slalom (100' spaced):
|
64.6 mph (V8)
|
|
Turning circle:
|
39.4 ft.
|
Other vehicles
|
SHARED CHASSIS:
|
Bentley Continental Flying Spur, Bentley Continental GT
|
|
COMPETITORS:
|
Audi A8,
BMW 7-Series,
Cadillac DeVille,
Infiniti Q45,
Jaguar XJ,
Lexus LS 430,
Maserati Quattroporte,
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Specific to the W12:
Audi A8 L 6.0,
BMW 760Li,
Jaguar XJ Super V8,
Mercedes-Benz S600
|
Volkswagen Phaeton sedan.
Volkswagen Phaeton sedan.
|