Test drive Volkswagen Phaeton 2002 - 2009 sedan
Per kilometer to the sky
Here is the edge of all -wheel drive cars. That there are Japanese pickups, on this path I met an ancient Opel Cadet with a 4x4 nameplate! Tourists, leaving cars below, float towards the sun in the rounded booths caught on a powerful cable; But the first to the upper support of the lift should rise cars by delivering the service personnel of the Austrian resort. The task is not always simple: here we need all -wheel drive, good thrust, in winter also chains on wheels. Now autumn, a narrow strip of pure asphalt temporarily turns to a steep slope. Take a chance? We have more than three hundred horses, 4-mines, air suspension. And in the end, the ancient Greek namesake already paved the road to the sky to the sky The turn of a large steering wheel and a car, in vain that is distinguished by an elongated base, unexpectedly easily fits into the first curpan of a serpentine. By the way, the length and base increased by 120 mm are possible with any of the four engines (see table.), As well as four- or five-seater design. The first, with separate posterior seats and a multifunctional piece of furniture on the floor (the definition of the tunnel here does not fit too poorly), of course, it is better to correspond to the status of a representative car.
Tires tasty crunch with small pebbles scattered along the old asphalt, completely drowning out the sound of a 4.2-liter engine. By the way, this fall, he first appeared on the Phaeton for the Russian market, filling the niche between the 241-horsepower V6 and the flagship W12 (450 hp). A little later there will be a 3-liter diesel engine, the first Volkswagen motor, already ready for Euro v norms, which enter into force only in 2009. Alas, in Russia, few will attract environmental purity, but here, in Tyrol, they are ready to advocate even for the tenth euros, just to save the alpine pastoral (including tourists).
The turn is almost 180 degrees, half a kilometer in a straight line, again the turn of the Lord, how do they walk here? The houses are left behind, the golf hanging on the tail is parked at the last gasthaus, and there are more and more people to meet: in winter, a skiing zone begins here, and in the summer, festivities (on foot, but with ski sticks). The border conditionally means the end of the asphalt, then the primer. Well, maybe the 4Motion all -wheel drive system will find it, it is not in vain that every phaeton is equipped with it. And here is the snow! On the side of the road, the last islands melt a couple of days ago here nearly winter. We only get the soaked land, from which all four low -profile tires confidently repel The path is hunching, striving to scratch the bottom of the bottom. Time to recall the additional capabilities of the air suspension. Obeying the handle, the car stands on tiptoe, adding several centimeters to the road clearance. Wow, this function came in handy! It must be that among the buyers of the phaetons there are many adventurers like me, since the company equips all cars with a device not only to maintain, but also for clearance changes.
The road ended at an even slope: the right lift, right cows, a steep descent to the left. We turn around, but before that we note: from the beginning of the rise, we drove exactly a kilometer. Vertically.
The descent remains in something more difficult to rise. Ready to admit: the capabilities of the car that seemed to be an unnecessary tribute yesterday are in demand, it is worthwhile to put the car in not quite typical, but still real conditions. Here is another example: manual mode of the automatic box. Well, why, tell me the mercy, buy a machine gun, then shut off with a handle, like some mechanics, care for the large-due electronics in the speed of acceleration? So I reasoned on the plain, and here, so as not to overheat the brakes, I asked the Tipronik's first gear, which he honestly held to the bottom, not allowing the car to accelerate. Accustomed to refuel a long phaeton into turns without reducing the pace, I would not have used the brake at all if it had not been for the tractor to meet. In gratitude that they lost the way, the driver politely lifted the Tyrool hat: Gr. Got! Here is the valley, the wide asphalt of the autobahn, where you can give free rein to the new motor, evaluate the adaptive cruise control and Side of the programist. And yet, paying tribute to the road qualities of Phaeton on dry and smooth asphalt, with great respect you recall his honest work on heavenly paths. Here he is a simple mortal, and there he stepped on the path of the gods.
Volkswagen Phaeton is ready for any difficulties on the roads, but the task is almost more difficult to implement competitors than to go through the sky.
On the sinful land Phaeton is positioned as a high-class car, which means that he will have to compete with willy-nilles with such brands as BMW, Audi, Lexus, Mercedes among Volkswagen trousers relative availability, in Germany prices start from 53,740 euros. In Russia, the model costs from about 80 to 140 thousand dollars; With the new V8 motor for us, the price will be about 90 thousand.
Assistants in a circle
Front Essist and Side Essisting Primes of an updated phaeton. The first system is a smart cruise control: the driver chooses the desired speed and distance to the walking machines in front, further takes on electronics. It dumps the speed and carefully involves the brakes with dangerous convergence. But even on European roads, I involuntarily brought my leg over the brake pedal, unable to believe in electronic safety. I'm afraid in Russia the time of smart cruise control has not yet come, but the side assistant is ready to recommend. When trying to incorrect rebuilding, it is worth turning on the turn signal, the lights flashed in the body of the side mirror, warning about the obstacle in the back of the back. An excellent system that contributes to a driving culture. It's a small thing to learn everything and always use turn signals
Anton Chuykin. Photo by the author.
Source: The magazine "Driving"
