Test drive Volkswagen Phaeton 2002 - 2009 sedan

Zeus was against

If you arm yourself with a notebook and calculator, we can conclude that Volkswagen Phaeton is one of the best offers in the representative segment in terms of price-quality ratio. It is practically not inferior to its German competitors in technology, running parameters and the level of equipment. But Sales in the FRIM SEGRACT FOR THE SEARTH that, in spite of everything, Phaeton is not in due demand. Where does such injustice come from?
 
Volkswagen took another step in order to again attract the attention of restyling to him. True, insignificant. And it seems that the car is not bad, but what used to prevent the sedan from selling, it seems, and remained unchanged.
Either the impeccability of the Phaeton style is not called into question, or the leadership of Volkswagen decided to reduce the already large (and still not justifying itself) costs, without letting go into extra design tricks. To count the changes in the car, you can fingers of two hands of a healthy person.
The left hand is noticeable from the outside: new headlights with rims of LEDs. Their bright daylight is perfectly visible; In addition, they consume less energy. Between the fog lights, chrome -made molding stretched. Thin, but noble playing with glare in sunlight.
There can now be 19-inch wheels in the wheeled arches, and under the unbearable Volkswagen emblem on the trunk, the laconic inscription: Phaeton. So that, God forbid, they would not confuse with Passat with his left hand finished.
With the right hand we will consider the invisible from the side. For example, an engine. Volkswagen is already ready for the Norms of EURO 5, the new 3.0-liter V6 TDI turbodiesel is the first in the family prepared for toughened European environmental requirements. He is 233 liters generous. p., accelerates the phaeton to 236 maximum km/h, and up to the first hundred in eight with a little seconds, and at the same time spends on average about nine liters of diesel fuel per 100 km.
In addition, the updated PHAETON was enriched by a number of active security systems: such as adaptive cruise control that can slow down before slowing cars, a system for maintaining movement in the strip and automatic inclusion of near light at rain or at high speed.
The interior of the changes is even less. Moreover: if you look around in the cabin, but do not touch anything, then the innovations will remain a secret. The updated navigation DVD system now has a number of additional functions. A new phone has appeared in Phaeton: with the Bluetooth interface, voice control and advanced memory.
That in the car remained unchanged is the name and nameplate on the body. Nothing strange these parameters never change when restyling. But if you believe Captain Vrungel, the correct name for the schooner guarantees it a trouble -free swimming. Perhaps the situation is similar to the cars: Phaeton is not only a lightweight wagon with an open top and a small bird of the tropical seas.
In Greek mythology, the name of Helios and Nymphs of Klimena was called that. Phaeton convinced his father to allow him to rule the sunny chariot, making the way along the sky. But the horses of Phaeton carried, frightened by Scorpio, and rushed to the ground. To prevent a universal fire, Zeus struck Phaeton with lightning, dropping him into the waters of the Eridan River. So, if you look for the roots of unsuccessful sales of VW Phaeton in the wrong name, then they are evident.
On the other hand, many see the problem not so much in the model as in the brand. A representative car for Russia is, first of all, respectability. But the Volkswagen brand is rather practical. This is reliability and quality, but without added value. We are ready to pay extra for the fact that people, pronouncing the name of our car, nod respectfully.
If Phaeton boughts an official for himself, then only to show that he does not chase luxury, but takes care of the rational consumption of funds for personal vehicles. So, for example, have been going in Germany for five years. But in Russia they still prefer more expensive and pathos Germans or representatives of Lexus sedans.
But in the Volkswagen portfolio there is a premium brand whose filling is practically no different from Phaeton, but there is much more. Bentley is lined up even to hijackers, and not just for official dealers; The flagship sedans VW with great difficulty find their owners. Maybe if you include a shield on the back of the body, things will go differently?

Text: Alexander Korobchenko
Photo: Roman Ostanin
 
 

Source: Wheel magazine [June 2008]