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Volkswagen Phaeton Discontinued in the UK Due to Slow Sales

The VW Phaeton is still very popular in China, but we can't say the same about Britain. The German automaker has decided to discontinue its slow-selling and aging flagship car from the UK starting this year.
UK-spec VW Phaeton TDI 17 photos
Photo: Volkswagen
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A model born during another era for the VW brand, the Phaeton dates back to 2002, so it's about as old as three generations of the Golf. It received several updates, but the fact that its V6 TDI engine doesn't comply with Euro 6 regulations probably means the end is near.

Just like Bugatti, it's been a money pit, with each Phaeton made losing the company somewhere in the region of 30,000 euros over the course of a decade. Some markets still offer it, but the Brits require their steering wheel to be on the right. With low volumes, those conversions were simply not justifiable.

Chrysler recently realized the same thing and pulled the 300 and Lancia Thema from the UK, Japan and other RHD markets.

Despite the fact that the Phaeton is a money pit, Volkswagen is making another one. Company officials have said it's ready for production and awaiting the business case to be complete. This second-gen luxury VW is expected to debut in the second half of 2017, launching in Europe and China at first, followed a year later by America.

They've managed to sell quite a few Phaetons in China, around 22,000 units in 2011 and 2012 alone. Considering VW planned to sell 20,000 per year globally back in 2002, it's clear that China is key to the success of the next car.

It will ride on the MLB Evo platform, the same one used by Audi's Q7 and a number of other cars coming out in the next couple of years (A4, A6 and A8). Powertrain choices will include a TSI V6 plug-in hybrid pushing out 400 hp, the Bentley-built W12 and a new V8.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
Mihnea Radu profile photo

Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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