The New Volkswagen Phaeton

A new infotainment system (RCS 810 and RNS 810) as well as an efficient V6 gasoline direct injection engine, now with 206 kW / 280 PS, characterize the Volkswagen Phaeton of model year 2009 that has been perfected in numerous details. For example, all engines satisfy the Euro-5 emissions standard in the new model year. Other modifications include: three new types of alloy wheels (17, 18 and 19 inch), a slightly modified radiator grille, three new car colors ("Silver leaf metallic", "Beryllium grey metallic" and "Mocca-anthracite pearl effect"), the new leather color "Corn Silk", the new wood accents "Poplar grain latte macchiato" and "Vavona", switch illumination that is now white throughout instead of red, accent and switch trim in new "Warm grey" color, an upgraded car key, makeup mirror in the rear of the long version, dampers optimized for low-friction, ceramic brakes (front) for the Volkswagen Phaeton W12 as well as a rearview camera (Rear Assist). The new version of the high-tech sedan is being shown for the first time in the world at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. First deliveries of models are already slated for 2008.

Control of climate control system and infotainment redesigned

The most in-depth revision on the Volkswagen Phaeton is a completely new center console design. A key component here: the new, standard RCD 810 infotainment system (radio variant) or the also new RNS 810 (optional navigation system variant).

To integrate the Volkswagen Phaeton's new infotainment systems in a style that is as balanced as the prior model's solution, the center console was fully redesigned. This also involved changing controls for the four-zone automatic climate control (Climatronic): the tempe­rature is now set by rotary dial and is continuously displayed digitally above the control panel. The keys controlling individual ventilation functions were also redesigned. The intuitive control panel for climate control continues to be located beneath the infotainment system.

Newly developed: RCD 810 and RNS 810

The RCD 810 and RNS 810 infotainment systems with high-resolution 8-inch touchscreen in 16:9 format were redeveloped for the Volkswagen Phaeton. Take the example of the RNS 810: it unites numerous multimedia functions such as an auxiliary TV hybrid tuner (option) and the "Premium" prep for Bluetooth mobile telephone with a very quickly responding navigation system, which accesses an integrated 30-Gigabyte hard drive. Furthermore, it is simple and easy to modify general vehicle settings via the touchscreen monitor. The higher-level menus are selected by eight additional keys to the left and right of the touchscreen. The signal of the optional rearview camera is also transmitted to the screen.

The integrated DVD drive can read out all commonly used audio formats and - when the vehicle is stationary - video films can also be played back over the monitor in brilliant image quality. There is also a slot for SD memory cards on the front of the unit. External MP3 players and similar data media can be interfaced via the MEDIA-IN (MDI) media socket. A Dynaudio system with an acoustic power of 1,000 Watt provides for exceptionally good sound.

As mentioned, the new RNS 810 unit's range of use has been extended with a TV hybrid tuner. It enables reception of both analog and digital broadcasting stations (DVB-T). Its digital reception has an especially high image quality. In addition, the latest news can be called up via the integrated video text feature. TV reception is available as a special option on the RNS 810.

In combination with the optional "Premium" prep for a Bluetooth mobile telephone, the RNS 810 also makes telephoning easier. It is operated conveniently by pressing the "Phone" key on the left side of the 8-inch display. Further control, such as scrolling through the phone number memory or speed dialing can be performed via the 10-key numeric keypad shown on the screen. As an alternative, the telephone may be operated with ease from the multifunctional steering wheel, by voice control or an auxiliary mobile unit.

New V6 FSI, full conformance to Euro-5 standard

A new V6 gasoline engine being used in the Volkswagen Phaeton is an FSI engine (direct gasoline injection); it has 3.6 liter displacement and 206 kW / 280 PS. This engine is replacing the 3.2 liter V6 with 177 kW / 241 PS. The comfortable FSI develops a maximum torque of 360 Newton-meter, which is constantly available between 2,500 and 5,000 rpm and guarantees impressive high-torque performance. The maximum power of the twenty-four valve six cylinder is output at 6,250 rpm.

Powered in this way, the luxury sedan - with its standard 6-speed automatic, 4Motion all-wheel drive and electronically controlled air suspension - exhibits agile driving performance. The Volkswagen Phaeton V6 FSI reaches the 100 km/h mark from a stop in 8.6 seconds, and its top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h. Its average fuel consumption is 11.7 liter Super. CO2 emissions were reduced from 288 g/km to 273 g/km.

Besides the new 3.6 liter FSI, the two other more powerful V8 and W12 gasoline engines with 246 kW / 335 PS and 331 kW / 450 PS, respectively, already satisfy the Euro-5 emissions standard that takes effect in September 2009. It was one of the first engines in the world to conform to this standard at the beginning of 2007, due to its extremely fuel-efficient V6 TDI with 3.0 liters displacement and common rail direct injection (171 kW / 233 PS).