Test drive Volkswagen Phaeton 2002 - 2009 sedan

Turtle hunting

Five years ago, the VW Phaeton became the first car of the people's brand that dared to invade high society. He, like the ancient Greek Phaeton, dared to violate the order established by the gods. Today, after the first five -year plan, the history of Phaeton is more reminiscent of another Greek parable about Achilles and a turtle.
 

Like Achilles, Phaeton is approaching the flagships of the representative class BMW 7-Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Audi A8. However, no matter how swiftly the VW tide seemed, competitors during this time also manage to take a few steps to perfection. And although the distance between them is steadily reduced, no one can still say how much the chase of Achilles behind the turtles will last.


The new Phaeton modification that appeared in the spring was the next step in the development of the model, although at first glance, it may be not as noticeable as expected. Visual differences in the exterior and interior are not particularly large. A more expressive front bumper, new bixenon headlights with dynamic and static adaptive lighting, longitudinal LED dimensions and tinted substrate of the rear lights, perhaps, all external changes. The main attention was paid not to appearance, but by content. The main innovation was the appearance in the line of engines of the V6 turbodiesel, which meets the Euro 5 standards. This norm comes into force two years later. But diesel units are in demand only in Europe. In our country, gasoline engines V6, V8 and W12 are more popular.
 

The eight looks most attractive, because in the Russian view V6 is still small for a car of this class, and W12 is heavy, which does not affect controllability in the best way. The herd of 335 horses of the 4.2 -fraud V8 accelerates the Phaeton to hundreds of 7.7 with a good indicator for such a heavy car. A rather high fuel consumption is slightly upset, which in a mixed cycle is 18.9 liters per 100 km. Say, the same Lexus LS460 has another newcomer and the main competitor of Phaeton in the representative class, despite the larger engine, appetites are more modest by almost 2.5 liters. Although, on the other hand, the consumption of gasoline of the owner of the representative of the representative class should not particularly worry.


A six -speed Phaeton machine leaves a very pleasant impression. True, the gearbox is configured in such a way that with soft braking of switching to low gear, they occur quite late: at 13001500 min-1, depending on the regime. As a result, when acceleration, sometimes you fall into the zone of dead calm: from 1,500 to 2500 min-1, the motor practically does not pull. But this is perhaps the only thing that can be found in the work of the transmission. In addition, with a slightly more aggressive control style, this nuance becomes almost invisible.
 

Despite the solid mass (2182 kg), due to the constant all -wheel drive, the Phaeton V8 passes turns with pleasant neutral rotation. And besides, without a noticeable diffrater on the nose, as in the case of its counterpart W12, where the front axle is noticeably overloaded with a heavy engine. There are practically no complaints about controllability, except that the steering wheel at speeds up to 120 km/h is a few empty. But we still have a luxury car ... by the nature of the VW management is much closer to the Academic Mercedes-Benz S-Class than to aggression of the BMW seven.
 

Initially, Phaeton was created for comfortable long trips on even glass for German autobahns. This determines some features of his settings. With regard to bumpy Russian roads, the suspension is still harsh. The rigidity of shock absorbers, however, can be changed in four modes, but the step is very small. Even in the highest mode, Phaeton reacts unexpectedly loudly to small irregularities. So this option is more likely the next technical delight and brings little real benefit.


I must say that the range of auxiliary equipment in the new Phaeton has significantly expanded. A new DVD navigation appeared, a modified information and entertainment system, a phone with a Bleutooth interface and voice control, but most importantly, Volkswagen Phaeton has acquired an adaptive cruise control of ACC with a function that ensures the possibility of automatic emergency braking, a system for reducing the brake route Front Assist and assistant in the rebuild of Side Assist.
 

The last two should dwell in more detail. The Front Assist system is one of the ACC elements is controlled by the buttons on the steering wheel and at speeds in the range from 30 to 200 km/h controls using the radar (200 m range, the tracking angle of 12) the distance between the Volkswagen Phaeton and the car walking in front. In case of dangerous rapprochement with the ahead of the machine, the system informs the driver and at the same time prepares the car for emergency braking. Front Assist translates the brakes into preliminary readiness, which is usually activated only after pressing the brace pedal for. Thus, Front Assist works as a system for reducing the brake route (AWV).


Another auxiliary system Side Assist helps with rebuilding. It is activated at a speed of 60 km/h and with the help of radars in the rear bumper controls the dead zone. The radar covers the rear hemisphere 50 m ago and 3.6 m in the sides of the car and, in case of danger, warns about the possibility of a collision using signal lamps in the body of the external mirror. It would seem a trifle, but nice.

Needless to say, Phaeton’s systematic equipment grows before our eyes. But it will still be. After all, hunting for turtles for the Wolfsburg Achilles is not yet over.




Handmade

Klaus Bishoff, head of the Volkswagen design center in Wolfsburg:


Already now we are actively thinking about how the interior and exterior of our luxury car should look in the future. We plan what technologies we will use in the next generation Phaeton. In particular, we are interested in the question of the development of electronic means of information, we energetically deal with this area. This work entails close interaction with ergonomics specialists, which is necessary for the introduction of new electronic devices. Today's generation Phaeton, in my opinion, is the best car in this class: quiet and comfortable. When you are in the cabin, a feeling of handmade is created.
 



Driving
Almost ideal hanging along the axes and neutral rotation allow Phaeton the highest score.

Salon
The steering wheel varnished around the perimeter looks spectacular, but in reality it turns out to be slippery.

Comfort
One of the most comfortable class cars. However, due to all-wheel drive, the noise level in the back seat is high.

Safety
Numerous auxiliary electronic systems have built the level of security to maximum heights.

Price
The profitable basic value is explained by modest serial equipment.
 



Technical characteristics VW Phaeton
Dimensions, mm 5055x1903x1450
Gasoline engine, 4172 cm3, 335 hp/6500 min-1
Automatic transmission, 6-speed
Dynamics 0-100 km/h, C 7.7
Maximum speed, km/h 250
Competitors Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7-Series, Audi A8, Lexus LS460


Advantages and disadvantages
+ High degree of equipment with electronic auxiliary systems and strict neutral rotation.
- cotton steering at speeds up to 120 km/h. Hard suspension.
 

Our opinion

Volkswagen Phaeton has to go a long way to compete in the minds of buyers on equal terms with the leaders of the representative class. And to overcome the barrier of stereotypes is sometimes much more difficult than reducing the technical lag. For those who are deprived of such stereotypes, Phaeton is a great choice.
 

Vladimir Makkaveev
 
 
 
 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [December 2007]