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| On the
Move Taking VW's new premium luxury car for a spin |
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How big is your ego? How big is your wallet? If your wallet is bigger than your ego, there’s a new premium luxury car on the market that offers all the luxury amenities of its competitors at a slightly lower price, but without the prestige of a fancy name. The new VW Phaeton is an ultra luxury vehicle with the toys and quality workmanship of an expensive car, but without the fancy nameplate. If you need a tri-star or leaping jaguar on the front of your car to satisfy your ego, those are available, but if you’re secure enough to drive a Volkswagen, you can get a lot of car for less than you’d have to spend to sit behind a fancy emblem. Several months ago in reviewing the VW Touareg SUV, I suggested that one’s perception of VW had to change to accept a 5,000+ pound, $50,000 Volkswagen. Now, just a few months later, we have to adapt to a 5,000+ pound sedan that can cost more than $100,000. Not really a “people’s car” anymore; and a far cry from the humble but loveable Beetle that won the hearts of motorists worldwide in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. Once over that hurdle, and judged on its own merits, the Phaeton is a very nice car. Rear seat room is tremendous and offers leg room adequate for NBA players. Luxurious features such as footrests (previously seen only in Bentleys and Rolls), an electric sunshade for the rear window, separate climate controls for each outboard passenger with three rear seat vents, reading lights, a large armrest with storage, and a massage feature in the leatherclad, lumbar-adjustable seat clearly make the interior nicer than my living room. Though a chauffeur-driven Volkswagen may be an oxymoron, I wouldn’t mind traveling in the back seat of a Phaeton if I had a long commute or had to travel long distances. Add a video entertainment system and it would be perfect. It would be a shame to buy one of these and not sit in the back every so often. The trunk is large, deep and flat, but the opening is a little small due to the slope of the rear window. The rear seat does not fold down, but there is a pass-through in the middle of the back seat to accommodate long objects such as skis. Fit and finish throughout the car are top notch and on par with, if not better than its luxury-class competitors. Amenities up front are first class as well. Sumptuous leather and polished wood are pleasing to the touch and to the eye, and an analog clock in the center of the dash adds a real touch of class. Seats offer a massage feature and are not only heated but air-conditioned as well. The standard navigation system is displayed on a large screen in the middle of the center console. The screen also displays information about the climate control and radio systems, but both are controlled by separate buttons that are clearly marked, easy to use, and not reliant on a distracting computer mouse system like the BMW. Gauges are large and legible and all the controls fall easily to hand, especially the cruise control and radio controls on the steering wheel. Styling is conservative, almost to a fault. It’s a big car, as felt during tight maneuvers, but the styling is well proportioned so the car doesn’t look too big. At first glance it looks like a large Passat. The question is whether there should be such a family resemblance in a car that costs twice as much as its siblings. It lacks the curves and grace of a Jaguar or even Mercedes, but stays within its understated theme to present a Teutonic, simple, yet elegant design. All Phaetons have VW’s 4Motion all wheel drive system with the choice of two engines. The first is a 4.2 liter V-8 that pumps out 335 horsepower through a 6-speed automatic transmission. A 6.0 liter W-12 engine that churns out 420 horsepower through a 5-speed automatic is also available if you are willing to pay about a $30,000 premium (though it also adds a number of standard amenities as well). Power with the V-8 is adequate, if not overwhelming. Most people buying this type of car aren’t taking it to the racetrack on the weekends, and for normal city and highway driving it was plenty powerful. The adjustable suspension can be set from comfort to sport, and the difference in handling and ride quality between the two is remarkably large. Each works well for its intended purpose. In comfort mode, the ride was as comfortable as would be expected in a luxury car, but in sport mode the suspension really tightened up and conveyed a lot of road feel. Unfortunately, the steering wheel did not convey as much road feel and was overboosted. If it could be stiffened up commensurate with the suspension, driving would be much more fun. Prices for the W-8 Phaeton start at about $72,000 with delivery, gas guzzler tax and a few options. Expect to shell out $100,000+ for the W-12. That would buy you about five New Beetles. As Scott Phillips, salesman at Dean Team VW in Kirkwood, says, “If you can get past the vanity of a name, you can save a lot of money and get more car for a lot less. All you have to do is drive it to appreciate it.” Robert W. Paster is also an attorney in private practice, concentrating in estate planning and probate. |
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