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VOLKSWAGEN Phaeton 2002-2009 Photos, engines & full specs

Segment: Upper Premium
Production years: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009

VOLKSWAGEN Phaeton 2002-2009 21 Photos
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Volkswagen introduced the Phaeton in 2002 as a direct competitor for luxury brands such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

Ferdinand Piech, the former Volkswagen CEO, pushed the company's engineers to develop a luxurious vehicle under the VW brand. They used the same platform from the Audi A8 and built a different bodywork on top of it, resulting in the Phaeton. Another problem was with the nameplate. A phaeton used to be a sport version of an open-top carriage, and the German sedan was neither sporty nor convertible.

The 2005 Phaeton front side looked like an improved front fascia over a Volkswagen Passat B5 facelift from the same era. Its horizontally slated grille and horizontal headlights showed an improved design over its sibling but close enough to resemble it. The Phaeton's profile, on the other hand, was different. Its C-pillar was thicker and wider on the lower side.

Since the Phaeton's wheelbase was shorter than the one offered by the standard BMW 7-Series from the same era (the E65 model), which led to smaller legroom for the rear passengers than its competitor, still, it was more than enough for average-sized passengers. Since it was the most expensive Volkswagen to that date, it featured standard leather upholstery and wood-trims on the dashboard and door cards. A tall and wide center console separated the front occupants, while in the back, it was suitable for two passengers due to the transmission tunnel.

Volkswagen installed a wide engine range for the Phaeton SWB. For the base engine versions, either turbo-diesel or gasoline, the carmaker offered a standard front-wheel-drive system. It was a car suitable for fleets and even taxi drivers. A 5.0-liter V-10 oil-burner or a 6.0-liter W12 filled the engine compartment at the other end of the scale.

press release
VOLKSWAGEN Phaeton 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
  5 gasoline engines
  • 3.2L V6 6AT AWD (280 HP)
  • 3.2L V6 6MT (241 HP)
  • 3.6L V6 6AT AWD (280 HP)
  • 4.2L V8 5AT AWD (335 HP)
  • 6.0L W12 5AT AWD (420 HP)
  2 diesel engines
  • 3.0L V6 TDI 6AT AWD (224 HP)
  • 5.0L V10 TDI 6AT AWD (312 HP)

VOLKSWAGEN Phaeton
3.2L V6 6AT AWD (280 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 3.2L V6 6AT AWD (280 HP)
Cylinders:V6
Displacement:4921 cm3
Power:205.9 KW @ 6250 RPM
280 HP @ 6250 RPM
276 BHP @ 6250 RPM
Torque:273 lb-ft @ 3500 RPM
370 Nm @ 3500 RPM
Fuel System:Direct Injection
Fuel:Gasoline
Fuel capacity:23.8 gallons (90.1 L)
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:155 mph (249 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):8.9 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:All Wheel Drive
Gearbox:6-speed automatic
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Ventilated Discs
Rear:Ventilated Discs
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:235/50/R18
DIMENSIONS
Length:199.2 in (5060 mm)
Width:74.8 in (1900 mm)
Height:57.1 in (1450 mm)
Front/rear Track:64.2/63.4 in (1,631/1,610 mm)
Wheelbase:113.4 in (2880 mm)
Ground Clearance:5 in (127 mm)
Cargo Volume:17.7 cuFT (501 L)
Aerodynamics (Cd):0.31
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:5269 lbs (2390 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:6415 lbs (2910 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
City:14.3 mpg US (16.4 L/100Km)
Highway:27.7 mpg US (8.5 L/100Km)
Combined:20.6 mpg US (11.4 L/100Km)
CO2 Emissions:308 g/km

VOLKSWAGEN Phaeton
3.2L V6 6MT (241 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 3.2L V6 6MT (241 HP)
Cylinders:V6
Displacement:3198 cm3
Power:177 KW @ 6200 RPM
241 HP @ 6200 RPM
237 BHP @ 6200 RPM
Torque:232 lb-ft @ 2400 RPM
315 Nm @ 2400 RPM
Fuel System:Multipoint Injection
Fuel:Gasoline
Fuel capacity:23.8 gallons (90.1 L)
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:152.2 mph (245 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):8.4 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Front Wheel Drive
Gearbox:6-Speed manual
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Ventilated Discs
Rear:Discs
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:235/60Y/R16
DIMENSIONS
Length:199.2 in (5060 mm)
Width:74.8 in (1900 mm)
Height:57.1 in (1450 mm)
Front/rear Track:64.2/63.4 in (1,631/1,610 mm)
Wheelbase:113.4 in (2880 mm)
Ground Clearance:5 in (127 mm)
Cargo Volume:17.7 cuFT (501 L)
Aerodynamics (Cd):0.31
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:4343.1 lbs (1970 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:5732 lbs (2600 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
City:14.6 mpg US (16.1 L/100Km)
Highway:27 mpg US (8.7 L/100Km)
Combined:20.6 mpg US (11.4 L/100Km)
CO2 Emissions:274 g/km

VOLKSWAGEN Phaeton
3.6L V6 6AT AWD (280 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 3.6L V6 6AT AWD (280 HP)
Cylinders:V6
Displacement:4921 cm3
Power:205.9 KW @ 6250 RPM
280 HP @ 6250 RPM
276 BHP @ 6250 RPM
Torque:273 lb-ft @ 3500 RPM
370 Nm @ 3500 RPM
Fuel System:Direct Injection
Fuel:Gasoline
Fuel capacity:23.8 gallons (90.1 L)
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:155 mph (249 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):8.9 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:All Wheel Drive
Gearbox:6-speed automatic
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Ventilated Discs
Rear:Ventilated Discs
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:235/50/R18
DIMENSIONS
Length:199.2 in (5060 mm)
Width:74.8 in (1900 mm)
Height:57.1 in (1450 mm)
Front/rear Track:64.2/63.4 in (1,631/1,610 mm)
Wheelbase:113.4 in (2880 mm)
Ground Clearance:5 in (127 mm)
Cargo Volume:17.7 cuFT (501 L)
Aerodynamics (Cd):0.31
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:5269 lbs (2390 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:6415 lbs (2910 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
City:13.8 mpg US (17 L/100Km)
Highway:27.4 mpg US (8.6 L/100Km)
Combined:20.1 mpg US (11.7 L/100Km)

VOLKSWAGEN Phaeton
4.2L V8 5AT AWD (335 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 4.2L V8 5AT AWD (335 HP)
Cylinders:V8
Displacement:4172 cm3
Power:246 KW @ 6500 RPM
334 HP @ 6500 RPM
330 BHP @ 6500 RPM
Torque:317 lb-ft @ 3500 RPM
430 Nm @ 3500 RPM
Fuel System:Multipoint Injection
Fuel:Gasoline
Fuel capacity:23.8 gallons (90.1 L)
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:155.3 mph (250 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):6.9 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:All Wheel Drive
Gearbox:5-speed automatic
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Ventilated Discs
Rear:Ventilated Discs
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:235/55/R17
DIMENSIONS
Length:199.2 in (5060 mm)
Width:74.8 in (1900 mm)
Height:57.1 in (1450 mm)
Front/rear Track:64.2/63.4 in (1,631/1,610 mm)
Wheelbase:113.4 in (2880 mm)
Ground Clearance:5 in (127 mm)
Cargo Volume:17.7 cuFT (501 L)
Aerodynamics (Cd):0.31
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:4554.8 lbs (2066 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:6084.8 lbs (2760 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
City:12.4 mpg US (19 L/100Km)
Highway:24 mpg US (9.8 L/100Km)
Combined:18 mpg US (13.1 L/100Km)
CO2 Emissions:314 g/km

VOLKSWAGEN Phaeton
6.0L W12 5AT AWD (420 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 6.0L W12 5AT AWD (420 HP)
Cylinders:W12
Displacement:5998 cm3
Power:309 KW @ 6000 RPM
420 HP @ 6000 RPM
414 BHP @ 6000 RPM
Torque:406 lb-ft @ 3000 RPM
550 Nm @ 3000 RPM
Fuel System:Multipoint Injection
Fuel:Gasoline
Fuel capacity:23.8 gallons (90.1 L)
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:155.3 mph (250 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):6.1 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:All Wheel Drive
Gearbox:5-speed automatic
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Ventilated Discs
Rear:Ventilated Discs
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:235/50/R18
DIMENSIONS
Length:199.2 in (5060 mm)
Width:74.8 in (1900 mm)
Height:57.1 in (1450 mm)
Front/rear Track:64.2/63.4 in (1,631/1,610 mm)
Wheelbase:113.4 in (2880 mm)
Ground Clearance:5 in (127 mm)
Cargo Volume:17.7 cuFT (501 L)
Aerodynamics (Cd):0.31
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:4995.7 lbs (2266 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:6393.4 lbs (2900 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
City:9.8 mpg US (24 L/100Km)
Highway:21.6 mpg US (10.9 L/100Km)
Combined:15.1 mpg US (15.6 L/100Km)
CO2 Emissions:374 g/km

VOLKSWAGEN Phaeton
3.0L V6 TDI 6AT AWD (224 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 3.0L V6 TDI 6AT AWD (224 HP)
Cylinders:V6
Displacement:2967 cm3
Power:165 KW @ 4000 RPM
224 HP @ 4000 RPM
221 BHP @ 4000 RPM
Torque:332 lb-ft @ 1400 RPM
450 Nm @ 1400 RPM
Fuel System:Common Rail
Fuel:Diesel
Fuel capacity:23.8 gallons (90.1 L)
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:145 mph (233 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):8.8 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:All Wheel Drive
Gearbox:6-speed automatic
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Ventilated Discs
Rear:Ventilated Discs
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:235/60/R16
DIMENSIONS
Length:199.2 in (5060 mm)
Width:74.8 in (1900 mm)
Height:57.1 in (1450 mm)
Front/rear Track:64.2/63.4 in (1,631/1,610 mm)
Wheelbase:113.4 in (2880 mm)
Ground Clearance:5 in (127 mm)
Cargo Volume:7.7 cuFT (218 L)
Aerodynamics (Cd):0.31
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:4702.5 lbs (2133 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:6084.8 lbs (2760 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
City:18.2 mpg US (12.9 L/100Km)
Highway:30.5 mpg US (7.7 L/100Km)
Combined:24.5 mpg US (9.6 L/100Km)
CO2 Emissions:259 g/km

VOLKSWAGEN Phaeton
5.0L V10 TDI 6AT AWD (312 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 5.0L V10 TDI 6AT AWD (312 HP)
Cylinders:V10
Displacement:4921 cm3
Power:229.5 KW @ 3750 RPM
312 HP @ 3750 RPM
308 BHP @ 3750 RPM
Torque:553 lb-ft @ 2000 RPM
750 Nm @ 2000 RPM
Fuel System:Turbocharged Direct Injection
Fuel:Diesel
Fuel capacity:23.8 gallons (90.1 L)
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:155.3 mph (250 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):6.9 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:All Wheel Drive
Gearbox:6-speed automatic
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Ventilated Discs
Rear:Ventilated Discs
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:235/50/R18
DIMENSIONS
Length:199.2 in (5060 mm)
Width:74.8 in (1900 mm)
Height:57.1 in (1450 mm)
Front/rear Track:64.2/63.4 in (1,631/1,610 mm)
Wheelbase:113.4 in (2880 mm)
Ground Clearance:5 in (127 mm)
Cargo Volume:17.7 cuFT (501 L)
Aerodynamics (Cd):0.31
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:5236 lbs (2375 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:6591.8 lbs (2990 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
City:14.3 mpg US (16.4 L/100Km)
Highway:27.7 mpg US (8.5 L/100Km)
Combined:20.6 mpg US (11.4 L/100Km)
CO2 Emissions:308 g/km
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