Test drive Volkswagen Phaeton 2002 - 2009 sedan
Greetings Hello from "People"
The representative of the European F-class Volkswagen Feton made his debut at the Motor Show in Geneva. Available in four- or five-seater. The car is equipped with V6 gasoline engines (3.2 liters, 241 l.) And W12 (6.0 l, 420 l.), And soon the V-shaped ten-cylinder turbodiesel (5.0 l, 313 liters should appear . With.). Gearboxes - mechanical six -speed and automatic five- or six -speed. The most powerful modifications are equipped with all -wheel drive transmission 4 Motion.
In the highest automobile light, changes are coming. Still, the recognized Grandes of Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Jaguar and Lexus will have to be squeezed. What is this, an attempt by a huge concern to surprise the world with a folk sedan of a representative class? Of course, no - despite the familiar emblems and image of the brand, forget about accessibility. Phaeton is a large and very expensive car equipped in the highest category. By analogy with the classification of hotels, he can safely assign a five -star status.
The stronghold of traditions Elements of avant -garde design have already penetrated into the once stiff family of representative sedans: remember, for example, the BMW seventh series. But the firstborn of the Volkswagen in this class is sternly emphasized. At the same time, the novelty inherited the corporate identity: even a cursory glance is enough to identify precisely Volkswagen. Let the biggest and most prestigious.
The stylists also worked on the interior. The interior is distinguished by luxury and healthy conservatism. The salon is very comfortable and there is no place for extremes - an atmosphere of an office or a computer center. Like all modern cars, Phaeton is stuffed with electronics literally from wheels to the roof. But trendy innovations are submitted very delicately - they are not put up for display. As a result, the owner receives a full gentleman's set of equipment and uses it, not tormented by his own inferiority. Whereas in other cars only a type of colored displays and joysticks inspires awe: is it conceivable for a simple mortal to master a sort of computer wealth?
Talk in detail about the set of equipment is an ungrateful occupation: it is too great. But to list what is missing is also unlikely to succeed, since the phaeton has everything that is supposed to the representative of the representative class. Even the lid of the trunk closes and locks the servo. Let's simplify the task and just look into the salon.
For the driver and chef At the back, instead of the usual sofa for three passengers - two full -sized seats. Separate twins for managing a climate installation, armrests, cup holders, ash with cigarette lights and a mobile phone (one for two) were provided with senior persons. If necessary, in addition to a powerful audio system, the TV is mounted.
The seats for the powers of this world are very convenient: equipped with a built-in ventilation system and a complete set of adjustments, including servo-rising head restraints. There is a memory for several provisions, lumbar emphasis and other delights. In these seats you can sit vertically, or you can fall apart. In general, there is plenty of comfort, as, indeed, spaces. The knees of the rear passengers will never elapse in the backs of the front seats, you will not touch your neighbor with your elbow. The only complaint: a tall person needs to remove the headdress, since the falling roof is low - between the darkness and upholstery of the ceiling eight centimeters remains.
Anyone who transports the chef from place to place is also not deprived of comfort. At his disposal - a steering column regulated by electric motors; parking brake with a knife drive; a convenient seat with memory for several provisions built in ventilation and vibration massage; A huge area for the rest of the left leg. The automatic gearbox has a manual control mode using steering wheel switches (almost like in racer). The combination of devices is classic - round dials with brilliant edges.
Reading readings is easy. But perhaps the most pleasant thing is that using the navigation system, climatic installation, an audio center, numerous functions and settings is not difficult. The keys, buttons, rotating handles are sensible sensible and equipped with clear iconograms. Logical management eliminates the need to study voluminous instructions before adjusting anything. Even the color display is inscribed in the console organically and does not irritate the conservative user. In general, the interior of Feton emphasizes a certain versatility of the car. Five days a week, the owner of a prestigious sedan can comfortably spend in the back seat, and release the driver on Saturday and enjoy, piloting the phaeton on his own.
By the way, how does the apparatus travel more than five meters with a equipped mass of 2.3 tons?
Fads of character
The most striking impression of a car with a V-shaped six power of 241 liters. With. - ease of control in combination with thoroughness and outstanding smoothness. The car invariably makes it possible to feel that it is not a little, but a solid and expensive sedan. The sensation comes almost at a subconscious level. This is facilitated by smooth swaying on the irregularities of the road, emphasized the bass -shaped engine of the engine, very fast, but not sharp acceleration - a kind of deliberately dumped force.
At the same time, in the city crowd Phaeton turned out to be unexpectedly maneuverable. It is easy to park it. And if instead of a steppe driving you decide to rush from a row in a row, please - easily and at ease. A calm and active driver will receive pleasure. Everything is right - we take a precious passenger carefully, but if necessary, we can quickly. A heavy machine perfectly slows down in the entire speed range (and it extends far beyond two hundred) and reacts sensitively to any action by a steering wheel. The hydraulic wrap is so virtuoso that you remember it only by rotating the steering wheel in a standing car. In other cases, an instant and accurate reaction, leading to a complete understanding between the driver and the car.
Comfortable and energy -intensive pneumatic pendants deserve separate praise. The high smoothness of their ability is not limited - there are also adjustments. Having involved the desired toggle switch, the driver will increase or reduce road clearance directly from the cab or change the stiffness of shock absorbers. Four fixed provisions are provided: comfort, basic, sports, sports-2.
The temperament of a six -cylinder engine for a car of this class is quite - it almost perfectly corresponds to the purpose of the prestigious sedan. On the one hand, elasticity and the ability to ride in comfortable modes, on the other - impressive dynamics and speed.
But do not forget: there is also an all -wheel drive modification with a unique W12 engine with a capacity of 420 liters. With.! Such a phaeton is a real beast. Where the smoothness and hidden power went - here aggression for show. Sound - Spraying instead of bass rock. And if the gas pedal was pressed on the floor on the autobahn - from the overloads of the insides, they seem to stick to the spine. A real aircraft - on the runway will easily argue in acceleration with jet boing.
But, having satisfied the racing ambitions, you understand that the previous harmony is no longer. The car is magnificent on the highway, but difficulties arise in the metropolis. With each touch, acceleration is such that passengers begin to rock. If you regret them, do not go to the right leg for long - for a smooth touch, a very jewelry work is required an accelerator. We have to state the fact - the most powerful modification of the phaeton is more suitable for active riding, rather than VIP guesses of the back row of seats.
Text / Vadim Kryuchkov
Photo / Vadim Kryuchkov and Volkswagen company
Source: The magazine "Driving"
