The next-generation Volkswagen Phaeton is in for a ground-up rethink, due to competition from the all-electric Tesla Model S. Any new, large VW sedan will have to incorporate next-generation technology, said Volkswagen brand chief Herbert Diess.
“We were quite far advanced with the next Phaeton but it became clear it wasn’t enough of a leap forwards. A modern large saloon has to be competitive and have an advantage over the Tesla, which is the benchmark and in many regions dominates the segment. Now, if we go back there, we have to take Tesla seriously, and of course that is what we are doing with our electric strategy,” Diess said to Autocar.
Discontinued in 2015, the VW Phaeton struggled against more established makes such as Mercedes-Benz in the luxury sedan segment; Volkswagen sold 4,000 units of the Phaeton in 2014, compared with 100,000 units Mercedes-Benz managed with its S-Class that year. Plans for the discontinued Phaeton’s successor have been delayed before due to costs, even prior to the company revamping its Phaeton goals.
In light of the company-wide re-alignment of goals in the aftermath of the diesel scandal, the Phaeton is expected to be built upon the group’s MEB electric car platform, which is telling of its intended direction with the luxury sedan. The new model is expected to see its launch in 2020, and rumour has it that the car may not even retain the Phaeton name, such is the extent of departure from the earlier car.
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Till today, not event eh Germany people can understand why VW need a Phaeton, when they already has Audi A8 to do the job…VW never a premium brand, they should just stop at Passat!
Agree with U Vincent. Why VW want to make a Phaeton when their group already have Audi A-8 & Porsche Panamera as the luxury car.
If sell Phaeton… prepare to give 200K discount la
..yup agreed…they already have Audi & Porsche to cater for luxury segment
Waja front with Perdana2 lower grille
Volkswagen is common used taxis.
Only in mainland
Actually Mercedes is the most common vehicle used as taxis everywhere
Most common also means they trust its Reliability.
Wow, VW sold more than 10 million cars last year compared to Tesla’s less than 80k. And VW is benchmarking Tesla… It shows what a good job Elon Musk is doing.
Its not about sales. Its about a future without fossil fuels. That future is coming sooner than we think. Everyone has jumped on the bandwagon. Mercedes and BMW as well as the Japanese manufacturers are also moving in that direction. Although all these companies are planning competitve vehicles, only Tesla is a loss making company relying on sponsors to fund their next vehicles. They neither have the resources nor the production capability to be a mass player yet. Also, they are not selling enough cars to justify long term survival. It is my belief that Tesla would end up being the catalyst for the electric future of motorvehicles, but not the main player. The main players of the electric future would still be the Mercedes, BMWs, Audis, Volkswagens as well as the Toyotas and Hondas of the world. They are the ones with the resources, the expertise, the production and global distribution line and most of all, the financial strength and profitability to take the next leap into the electric future.
Amen!! Sumbody that knows what there talking about..preach that ****..And those are facts,pay attention we in class
The all-new Phaeton should be built to be much better than Tesla if this is its new direction.
First of all, the total range of travel in one single charge should be in excess of 1000km, with ultrafast charging time.
Will it be good to have a 30L gasoline in spare to move the car in urgent situations? The gasoline engine needs not necessarily be a big powerful one.
Secondly, you cannot always be slightly smaller than your direct competitor. If you are good, you should be able to build a large Phaeton which drives like a 328i, and at the same time with the selectable comfort of an S-class with hugh legroom and headroom.
I am baffled as to the reason VW need to develop a large sedan. They already have the Audi A6/A8, SKODA Superb. Buyers of UBER luxury won’t opt to buy a car from VW, they will probably opt for an Audi, BMW, Jaguar or Mercedes. Why is VW chasing their tail ? The market dynamics won’t accept this.
You probably also baffled that there really no Santa Claus to an I right ? Another whom didn’t do his home on the car or the vision that Volkswagen seven in putting that level of luxury on the vw line…
This is one handsome looking car with a powerful turbo engine. When it comes to turbocharging, no other car manufacturers have the expertise in TSI technology. Well done and it is without surprise that VW is the largest car manufacturer in the world.