The Phaeton is characterised by an extremely extensive set of convenience and comfort features. Even the six-cylinder model has a 4-zone Climatronic as standard equipment - with draft-free operation and air quality and humidity sensors - as well as 12-way electrically adjustable front seats. When the Phaeton – whose basic version has 5 seats – is ordered with two individual seats in the rear, they also have 10-way electrical adjustment; in this case, the car comes with front seats with 18-way adjustment, seat heating at all seating locations and a memory function (for three different drivers and front passengers).
Safety
Every Phaeton leaves the Transparent Factory in Dresden with eight airbags on board – driver, front passenger, side and window airbags). The driver airbag has an air volume of 62 litres, while the front passenger airbag has an activated content of 115 litres. They both ignite at two different levels, depending on crash intensity. If small children are sitting in the front with rear-facing seats, the right front and side airbags can be deactivated via a separate lock using the ignition key.
To reduce the risk of head injury in a side crash, Volkswagen is implementing window airbags (with 28 litre volume) in the Phaeton; they run from the A-pillar to the C-pillar and from the roof down to the window sill. Additional protection is offered by thorax side airbags housed in the front and rear seat backrests, and the windows themselves whose edges consist of compound glass. The head restraints on the front seats are active in design, and they help to reduce the risk of whiplash injury. In the rear, the outer seating positions also have Isofix mounting points, plus the Top Tether feature to securely anchor suitable child seats.
Standard features of the V6 FSI, V6 TDI, V8
The seats and matching trim of the 5-seat Phaeton are upholstered in an elegant and high-end fabric (Pearl design). The 4-seat versions have standard leather upholstery in Vienna Classic Style and a centre armrest with front and rear height adjustment on each seat – for a total of four armrests.
Always on board is the infotainment centre (RCD 810 and optional RNS 810) including an 8/10 audio system with 8 channels and ten loudspeakers as well as an 8-inch touchscreen and a CD changer in the glove box. Along with the many equipment features that are customary in this class, the Phaeton has numerous additional convenience and high-tech features inside. They include "Eucalyptus" wood trim (instrument panel, upper door panels, frames around the infotainment centre and gearshift boot, ashtrays or two storage compartments), centre armrests in front and rear, the new leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel design, stainless steel pedal caps, aero wipers with heated washer nozzles and heated park position on the front windscreen, as well as electrically regulated wiper field, electrically adjustable and heated outside mirrors and a cruise control system.
Basic features are supplemented by an automatically dimming rearview mirror, steering column with fully variable adjustment in four directions, front and rear footwell illumination and reading lamps, indirect instrument panel lighting and interior lighting, rain sensor for intermittent windscreen wipers, Coming Home / Leaving Home light function for the bi-xenon headlights and central locking with RF remote control.
Standard equipment on the Phaeton V6 and V8 with long wheelbase also includes electrically adjustable front passenger seat that can also be adjusted from the rear seat (on 4-seater), seat covers in leather as well (heated seats in front), an electric tilt/slide glass sunroof, illuminated make-up mirror in the rear as well as an electrically actuated sun shade for the rear windscreen and manual shades for the rear side windows. The Phaeton V8 is also distinguished from the V6 models by its two chrome tailpipes and laminated glass for all windows. Identical, on the other hand, are its 17-inch alloy wheels in "Impression" design with 235 tyres.
Standard features of the W12
The range of features on the particularly exclusive Phaeton W12 is even more extensive than on the V6 and V8 models. For example, the 5-seat version also has standard leather seats (Type: Vienna Classic Style); the genuine wood accents extend to the upper side of the centre console and the front cup holders as well; also upgraded in combination with wood trim are the leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel and the gearshift lever for the automatic gearbox.
Additional details include an anti-theft warning system with passenger compartment monitoring, automatically dimming rearview mirror with memory function (plus self-dimming and electrically folding outside mirrors), electrically opening and closing boot, electrically adjustable head restraints (4-seater, also in rear) and steering column with entry assist function (steering wheel retracts for more comfortable entry) plus memory function.
The seat system is arranged to be especially comfortable in the Phaeton W12: The front seats come with the 18-way system with lumbar supports and memory function plus seat heating; the 4-seat version includes seat ventilation and a massage module and seat heating in the rear. On its exterior, identifying features of the top model of the series include four chrome-plated exhaust tailpipes, 18-inch "Innovation" type alloy wheels with 255 tyres and laminated glass.
Special options
On the Phaeton, individualisation means that nearly all wishes for specific features can be satisfied by special options and the customising services of Volkswagen R GmbH.
Leather: As an alternative to the "Vienna Classic Style leather pack", Volkswagen offers the optional "full-leather option"; here, not only are the seats and parts of the door trim fitted in leather; the upper and lower sections of the instrument panel and door trim panels are also upholstered in the "Sensitive" variant of this elegant natural material. The highest quality leather packs are offered under the "Volkswagen Exclusive" badge. Here too, customers can choose between a leather and full-leather option. In this case, the centre seat panels and door inserts are styled in "Sunny Beige", while the seat lateral supports, backs of the front seat backrests and centre armrests are in Anthracite. Also on board in front are stainless steel tread plates with the "Exclusive" signature.
Wood: The extended wood pack contains an additional accent in the lower section of the door panel and B-pillar trim, as well as roofliner grab handles with genuine wood accents. Customers can also choose from the wood types "Eucalyptus", "Burr Walnut", "Burr Poplar" and "Vavona". Volkswagen Exclusive extends this range with the additional accents "Burr Poplar Black" and "Piano Paint Black".
This is just a sampling of the catalogued programme. Through Volkswagen R GmbH it is essentially possible to design a car to a customer's personal tastes and customise a one-of-a-kind model.
Notes:
All features, data and prices contained in this press packet apply to models offered in Germany. They may differ in other countries. All information is subject to change and correction.
TDI, TSI, DSG and Twincharger are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG or other companies of the Volkswagen Group in Germany and other countries.