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Volkswagen UK has dropped pricing details and specification for its facelifted 2011 Phaeton, which is available to order this week. British buyers have two engine options, a 3.0-liter V6 TDI diesel unit with 240-horsepower and a range-topping 6.0-liter W12 petrol unit churning out 450-horsepower.

The diesel model is available with both a standard wheelbase and a long wheelbase (LWB) which gives an additional 120 mm of legroom to rear passengers, while the W12 variant is offered exclusively with the LWB body style. On-the-road prices range from £46,195 to £78,685.

Revealed to the public for the first time at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show in China this past April, the 2011 Phaeton features a refreshed exterior with a new front end design and interior updates that include new trim finishes, a different multifunction steering wheel design and changes to the instrument cluster.

For a more in depth view of VW's flagship model, check out our previous post (click here).

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Volkswagen will reportedly be bringing its extra-large people's car, the recently facelifted Phaeton, back to the US. Initially introduced to help VW compete with BMW, Mercedes and Lexus (isn't that what Audi is for?), it was pulled from shelves in 2006 due to dismal sales resulting from its very un-VW price point. The comeback is to assist in tripling VW AG's sales in the American market.

A redesign is in the works, but the thought of an $80,000+ V-dub (Touaregs aside) still sounds a tad hokey. Now, were they to crank it down a level, Volkswagen could have a serious player in the affordable big-lux segment forming around Hyundai's Equus. To do so, VW would have to likely dip into the parts bin and carry over more from Audi's A6 and maybe its own Passat.

The bottom line is this: VW doesn't need an Audi A8 in its lineup, it just needs model above the Passat. Something on the A6's platform would be acceptable; how about using China's LWB A6L platform as a starting point? It could even offer V6s and V8s.

Currently, however, the Phaeton's sales are slowly growing (mostly because of its presence in China). Since the Chinese market will play such a major role in the Phaeton's future, and with the Chinese all about some LWB models, there's no reason the Phaeton couldn't move onto the A6L's platform.

Considering that the size/price gap between the Passat and Phaeton was nothing short of huge, an A6-based Phaeton would give VW a superb upper-end model that 1) doesn't distance itself too far from its roots, 2) doesn't step on the A8's toes, 3) provides a large-ish German car for consumers who don't need a badge to feel better about themselves, and 4) won't upset the big red elephant in the room.

By Phil Alex

Via: Bloomberg

Volkswagen’s big-surprise for the upcoming NY Show goes by the name CrossPhaethon. Like its smaller siblings the CrossPolo and the CrossTouran, the CrossPhaethon features a discreet offroad bodykit and higher road-clearance. Even more surprisingly VW decided to equip its luxurious crossover with a supped-up 2.0TDI engine with twin-turbos that delivers 220Hp! Via: Autoweek.nl

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