German Car Zone

Merc1 · 06-19-2007, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

Ahem, not quite Marcus. It is true that Wilhelm Maybach was the technical director at Daimler for a while but he left in 1907 to start his own company -- Maybach also conceived engines for the Dutch company Spyker.

The Maybach cars were not related to Daimler-Benz at all. Daimler-Benz bought the Maybach brand in the 1960s.

Him being technical director and their releationship since the 60's is enough said as to why a Maybach and a Mercedes are more related than a Bentley and Audi are.

If VW does a Continental uglyup of the Arnage series of cars then I'm done with Bentley.

M

SDNR · 06-19-2007, 06:46 AM

Yeah, I am worried about the next flagship Bentley too. I read encouraging stuff about the tech side of things ...but as we have discussed in the past, marques like Bentley are distinguished by more than just the technological aspects ...they have to have a soul as well.

phaeton · 06-19-2007, 08:01 PM

Don't forget as mentioned above the Arnage will have RWD so some of that soul will still be there

NarutoRamen · 06-19-2007, 08:53 PM

I think out of bentley, rolls and maybach, the rolls holds the most credibility. The others have too many things in common with others. JMO.

Mr. M · 06-20-2007, 04:08 AM

Since this platform is pretty flexible I'm anticipating to see a Bentley that is pretty strikingly different from the VW Phaeton and/or A8.

Anyway, this MLP is good for the Phaeton, it really needs to shave off some weight.

Merc1 · 06-20-2007, 05:33 AM

And thats another thing I don't get, why in the world would VW build another Phaeton? As brilliant a car as it is, it has been a complete and utter (expensive) flop. Why build another one, doesn't make sense! If the platform is going to be spread out over that many cars then surely they don't need the VW anymore.

M

SDNR · 06-20-2007, 05:43 AM

It is a good point Merc1 -- God only knows what's going on behind the scenes at VW ......things are very unsettled.

I wouldn't be surprised if the whole Phaeton project got axed.

Mr. M · 06-20-2007, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merc1

And thats another thing I don't get, why in the world would VW build another Phaeton? As brilliant a car as it is, it has been a complete and utter (expensive) flop. Why build another one, doesn't make sense! If the platform is going to be spread out over that many cars then surely they don't need the VW anymore.

M

I think one, is to make sure the factory doesn't go to waste. If I remember correctly some construction of the Bentley FS and GT were carried out there, but that ended some time ago. So that leaves only the Phaeton production for the Glass Factory...

And two, the Phaeton is projected to be smaller than the A8, which probably means it will compete at a lower segment. Probably a comfortable luxury version of the Passat coupé would sound about right.

Merc1 · 06-20-2007, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mirage77

I think one, is to make sure the factory doesn't go to waste. If I remember correctly some construction of the Bentley FS and GT were carried out there, but that ended some time ago. So that leaves only the Phaeton production for the Glass Factory...

And two, the Phaeton is projected to be smaller than the A8, which probably means it will compete at a lower segment. Probably a comfortable luxury version of the Passat coupé would sound about right.

Which reminds me of another reason why the Phaeton should have never, ever been built. A new purpose-built factory that is cleaner than some hospitals I've seen....sheer madness!!! They need to convert it to build something else or turn it into a musem or something...what a waste.

M

SDNR · 06-20-2007, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mirage77

I think one, is to make sure the factory doesn't go to waste. If I remember correctly some construction of the Bentley FS and GT were carried out there, but that ended some time ago. So that leaves only the Phaeton production for the Glass Factory...

And two, the Phaeton is projected to be smaller than the A8, which probably means it will compete at a lower segment. Probably a comfortable luxury version of the Passat coupé would sound about right.

It does seem rather crazy to produce a new Phaeton just to keep the factory running -- sounds like something GM would do.

German Car Zone

Audi modular design to spawn next-gen VW Phaeton, Bentley GT and Arnage.