Some Next-Generation Phaeton Details Emerge

Volkswagen Phaeton - the name has been referred to as the epitomy of brand overreach, and failure in the marketplace. It most likely will go down history that way, unless VW can somehow make a success out of it in the future.

Going upmarket can be done, if gone about the right way - brands like Hyundai have proven that.

The Phaeton was simply too conservative for the tastes of the United States market. We won't go into the reasons why the Phaeton failed - that has been debated over and over. What we can debate though, is about it coming back. And it looks like that will be happening.

But it won't be the form of the mildly-updated 2011 model that was introduced at the Beijing Auto Show. Instead, the car we are likely to get is an all-new model sometime around 2015, according to Steve Keyes, the Director for Press and Public Relations at VW.

The new car will supposedly be largely abandoning the European market to focus on the United States and China. China is the key word there. Remember the Beijing Auto Show?

The Phaeton was introduced at there, along with other L model from various manufacturers. Besides, who could forget about the Citroen Metropolis Concept.

This is just an indication of the large amount of money available in the Chinese executive market. That likely is a centerpiece of the business case for the next-generation Phaeton.

Autocar's source says “There’s no doubt that the Phaeton absolutely has to go back to the US....this is being reflected in the next version. It will look much more like a car for America.”

The platform for the next-generation car is still under consideration, but it supposedly likely to be on the Chinese market Audi A6 L's platform. However, we think it is more likely that the car will share the A8's aluminum platform again to help save costs.

As for styling, it will be interesting to see where VW takes the next-generation Phaeton. Especially considering the fact that the brand's recent styling direction is more conservative than ever. Anyhow, we're eagerly awaiting more details on it - and eventually, to see how it performs in our market the second time around.