Volkswagen India adds the 3 Liter TDI turbo diesel engine to the Phaeton luxury saloon?

In India, the top-of-the-line model that Volkswagen sells is the Phaeton luxury saloon. The Volkswagen Phaeton competes with the likes of the Mercedes Benz S-Class, the BMW 7 Series and the Audi A8 saloons. That said, a Phaeton on Indian roads is a rarity of sorts, given that the car has been a very slow seller for the German auto behemoth, so much so that Volkswagen dealers were handing out massive discounts of about INR 25 lakhson the petrol model of the car a while ago. So, the Phaeton available in petrol-only guise was a major party pooper for the car, even as all of its competitors offered diesel engined models.

2012 Volkswagen Phaeton Luxury Saloon Front

Now though, Volkswagen India seems to have made amends with the Phaeton now being available in diesel guise. A 3 liter TDI V6 turbo diesel engine is what will power the 2012 Volkswagen Phaeton luxury saloon. The engine that is used in a range of Audi cars like the A6, A8, Q5 and Q7 produces a peak power of 240 Bhp while peak torque comes in at 500 Nm. The engine is mated to a six speed automatic transmission. Now, this is the same engine that powers the Touareg SUV as well. So, the Phaeton could get a new lease of life in India if Volkswagen begins aggressively marketing the car.

2012 Volkswagen Phaeton Luxury Saloon Dashboard

Originally conceived by Ferdinand Piech, the Phaeton has been engineered to high levels of performance. The decade old platform of the Phaeton was engineered to cruise at 300 Kph all day at an ambient temperature of 50 degree celsius while maintaining a torsional stability of 37,000 N-m/degree. Such were the high standards that the Phaeton was built for although the car never really became a big seller for Volkswagen anywhere in the world. The car comes fully loaded with a range of comfort and safety features.

2012 Volkswagen Phaeton Luxury Saloon Rear Seat

The facelifted model of the Phaeton gets new headlamps with LED daytime running lights, a new dashboard and 18 inch wheels for India. 18 way adjustable seats, classier looking upholstery and 4 zone air conditioning. ABs, ESP, airbags and traction control are the major safety bits on the Phaeton, which is highly regarded for its tank like German build quality in the automobile world. The Phaeton is imported into India as a completely built unit. For bookings and pricing, you need to get in touch with your Volkswagen dealer. That said, it would be safe to assume that the Phaeton undercuts its rivals in terms of pricing, as it has always been available at a lower price tag when compared to the likes of the S-Class, the 7 series and the A8.