VW Phideon - Auto China 2016

Will be launched in in Q3 2016.

Volkswagen showcased its new flagship full-size saloon - the VW Phideon, at Auto China 2016 (2016 Beijing Motor Show) held last month. The new luxury saloon is not a global replacement for the VW Phaeton, it's a China-only offering expected to make up for the now-discontinued VW Phaeton at least until the next-gen VW Phaeton arrives.

The VW Phideon, developed with the company's Chinese joint venture partner SAIC, is the production version of the VW C Coupe GTE concept that was unveiled at Auto Shanghai 2015. Set to be positioned above the SAIC-Volkswagen-built VW Passat (VW Passat NMS) and the FAW-Volksagen-built VW Magotan (VW Passat B9), the VW Phideon is based on the Modular Longitudinal Matrix (MLB) platform. It measures 5.05 metres in length, 1.87 metres in width and 1.48 metres in height, and has a wheelbase of more than 3.0 metres.

The VW Phideon will be initially available with a 3.0-litre TSI turbocharged V6 petrol engine that develops 220 kW (300 PS/295 hp) and 440 Nm (347 lb.-ft.) of torque. 4MOTION four-wheel drive system will be a standard fitment. Later, expectedly a cheaper, front-wheel drive model powered by a 2.0-litre TSI four-cylinder engine will be introduced.

Noteworthy features of the VW Phideon include dual LED headlights with adaptive high beam assist, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights, soft-close doors, head-up display, infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink for smartphone integration, camera-based night vision system and 360-degree area view camera. Sales of the new 5-seat luxury saloon will commence in Q3 2016.