Do you folks still remember Volkswagen Phaeton? It was the brand’s first luxury sedan that was dropped in 2016 when the German automaker shifted its focus on electric mobility.
Well, that was what the marque claimed anyways. I mean, seriously, if a model was actually profitable, it would be hard to drop. Just saying… Then again, making a luxury car isn’t Volkswagen’s bread and butter and its drop was just a page in the history book.
If Phaeton had continued, 2022 would be its 20th birthday. I know right. Time does fly. When it was still around, Phaeton had set new standards in technology and quality of craftsmanship that benefited the whole brand.
For example, when a concept car of its successor, dubbed Phaeton D2, was introduced, it had a curved display. This curved display made it to the market in 2018 in Touareg’s Innovision Cockpit.
Oh, that’s right. A drivable, one-off Phaeton D2 model was produced. It is a shame that it did not make it because it was quite a looker even after more than half a decade. The interior is, IMHO, timeless. You would not have known it was a design from over 5 years ago if no one told you so.
The Phaeton that never happened was planned with two gas engines and a TDI.
Other notables include round tail light clusters, electrically open vents with wooden panels, draught-free ventilation, optional Dynaudio sound system, pneumatic suspension with adaptive damping, aluminum hood, doors, and trunk lid, and an interior featuring chrome detailings, wood veneer comprising up to 30 material layers, and leather.
Images: Volkswagen.
