Segment: Upper Premium
Production years: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
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.
ENGINE SPECS - 3.2L V6 6AT AWD (280 HP) | |
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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 | |
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Top Speed: | 155 mph (249 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 8.9 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 6-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 235/50/R18 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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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 | |
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Unladen Weight: | 5269 lbs (2390 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 6415 lbs (2910 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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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 |
ENGINE SPECS - 3.2L V6 6MT (241 HP) | |
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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 | |
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Top Speed: | 152.2 mph (245 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 8.4 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 6-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 235/60Y/R16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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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 | |
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Unladen Weight: | 4343.1 lbs (1970 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 5732 lbs (2600 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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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 |
ENGINE SPECS - 3.6L V6 6AT AWD (280 HP) | |
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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 | |
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Top Speed: | 155 mph (249 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 8.9 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 6-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 235/50/R18 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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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 | |
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Unladen Weight: | 5269 lbs (2390 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 6415 lbs (2910 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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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) |
ENGINE SPECS - 4.2L V8 5AT AWD (335 HP) | |
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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 | |
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Top Speed: | 155.3 mph (250 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 6.9 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 235/55/R17 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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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 | |
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Unladen Weight: | 4554.8 lbs (2066 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 6084.8 lbs (2760 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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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 |
ENGINE SPECS - 6.0L W12 5AT AWD (420 HP) | |
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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 | |
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Top Speed: | 155.3 mph (250 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 6.1 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 235/50/R18 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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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 | |
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Unladen Weight: | 4995.7 lbs (2266 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 6393.4 lbs (2900 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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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 |
ENGINE SPECS - 3.0L V6 TDI 6AT AWD (224 HP) | |
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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 | |
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Top Speed: | 145 mph (233 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 8.8 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 6-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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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 | |
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Unladen Weight: | 4702.5 lbs (2133 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 6084.8 lbs (2760 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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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 |
ENGINE SPECS - 5.0L V10 TDI 6AT AWD (312 HP) | |
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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 | |
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Top Speed: | 155.3 mph (250 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 6.9 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 6-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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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 | |
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Unladen Weight: | 5236 lbs (2375 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 6591.8 lbs (2990 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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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 |