Factory code: 3D
What begins in 1999 as a luxury class design study with the Concept D is completed in series production less than three years later. On 6 March 2002, Volkswagen celebrates the world premiere of a completely newly developed premium saloon at the Geneva Motor Show. Handcrafted in the newly built Transparent Factory in Dresden, the newly developed VW Phaeton sets new standards in technology and comfort in the highest passenger car class with over 100 patents.
Volkswagen's chief designer Hartmut Warkuß is responsible for the clean lines of the body, which is at least 5.05 metres long. Even after more than 20 years, the design is still considered a prime example of an elegant, unobtrusive design language with maximum longevity.
In terms of engines, the range spanning fourteen years of production extends from the six-cylinder 3.0-litre TDI with 165 kW (224 PS) to the V10 TDI with 230 kW (313 PS) and the twelve-cylinder W12 petrol engine with 331 kW (450 PS). A trip in a VW Phaeton is always a special experience: in addition to a fully networked, newly developed infotainment system, air suspension, and an innovative, completely draught-free four-zone air conditioning system are standard features that ensure the well-being of passengers. On request, ergonomically designed 18-way seats offer the seating comfort of a first-class lounge. Equipped like this, even the longest distances fly by.
