Go Back   German Car Zone > Volkswagen > Phaeton
Home Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Jeremy Clarkson reviews the Volkswagen Phaeton W12

This is a discussion on Jeremy Clarkson reviews the Volkswagen Phaeton W12 within the Phaeton forums, part of the Volkswagen category; Interesting that Clarkson says the Phaeton has no "pizazz" -- and I would agree with him to a point, but ...

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 11-16-2007, 12:41 AM   #11
SDNR   SDNR is offline
Trendsetter
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,060
Thanks: 4,098
Thanked 1,901 Times in 1,129 Posts
SDNR has disabled reputation
Re: Jeremy Clarkson reviews the Volkswagen Phaeton W12

Interesting that Clarkson says the Phaeton has no "pizazz" -- and I would agree with him to a point, but its rivals are hardly the biggest thrills on the planet either. The Audi A8 is still the best looking car in this segment.

Clarkson is right about how the appearance of a product can make a big difference to the desirability of it. I also agree with Clarkson about the seats of the Phaeton, I have said several times in the past that I think it has the best upholstery in the entire industry, incidentally, the Quattroporte's interior is made by the same Italian company.
SDNR is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Share on Facebook!Google Bookmark this Post!Spurl this Post!Reddit! Wong this Post!Tweet This!
Reply With Quote

Sponsored Links
Old 11-16-2007, 07:21 AM   #12
Mr. M   Mr. M is offline
Connoisseur
Moderator Emeritus
 
Mr. M's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Singapore
Posts: 6,436
Thanks: 2,475
Thanked 2,024 Times in 1,052 Posts
Mr. M is a splendid one to beholdMr. M is a splendid one to beholdMr. M is a splendid one to beholdMr. M is a splendid one to beholdMr. M is a splendid one to beholdMr. M is a splendid one to beholdMr. M is a splendid one to beholdMr. M is a splendid one to beholdMr. M is a splendid one to beholdMr. M is a splendid one to beholdMr. M is a splendid one to behold
Re: Jeremy Clarkson reviews the Volkswagen Phaeton W12

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob View Post
Interesting that Clarkson says the Phaeton has no "pizazz" -- and I would agree with him to a point, but its rivals are hardly the biggest thrills on the planet either. The Audi A8 is still the best looking car in this segment.

Clarkson is right about how the appearance of a product can make a big difference to the desirability of it. I also agree with Clarkson about the seats of the Phaeton, I have said several times in the past that I think it has the best upholstery in the entire industry, incidentally, the Quattroporte's interior is made by the same Italian company.
You know what Rob, I still think about the Phaeton a lot. The ride still amazes me especially when the A8 fumbles on the potholes where the Phaeton would just glide across them... My dad is however hardly convinced he should change from an Audi back to a VW again.
__________________
Power. Beauty. Soul.
Mr. M is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Share on Facebook!Google Bookmark this Post!Spurl this Post!Reddit! Wong this Post!Tweet This!
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Mr. M For This Useful Post:
SDNR (12-18-2007)
Old 12-17-2007, 11:43 PM   #13
SVESSA   SVESSA is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Santa Margarita California
Garage: 05 VW Phaeton V8
Posts: 4
Thanks: 30
Thanked 6 Times in 3 Posts
SVESSA is on a distinguished road
Re: Jeremy Clarkson reviews the Volkswagen Phaeton W12

Thank you Mr.M and 450sel6.9
You both are absolutely right. I have owned my '05 V8 for 6 months now. Can't say enough about it!
Scott
SVESSA is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Share on Facebook!Google Bookmark this Post!Spurl this Post!Reddit! Wong this Post!Tweet This!
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to SVESSA For This Useful Post:
Mr. M (12-23-2007)
Old 12-18-2007, 01:00 AM   #14
Trendsetter
 
NarutoRamen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: California
Garage: (B5) Audi A4 1.8TQ
Posts: 7,437
Thanks: 2,522
Thanked 1,484 Times in 1,036 Posts
NarutoRamen is a name known to allNarutoRamen is a name known to allNarutoRamen is a name known to allNarutoRamen is a name known to allNarutoRamen is a name known to allNarutoRamen is a name known to allNarutoRamen is a name known to allNarutoRamen is a name known to allNarutoRamen is a name known to allNarutoRamen is a name known to allNarutoRamen is a name known to all
Re: Jeremy Clarkson reviews the Volkswagen Phaeton W12

Quote:
Originally Posted by 450SEL6.9 View Post
If you think the other cars make more sense, isn't it, more of less, because of the VW badge? A lot of automotive journalists also say the car makes no sense, but can't really explain why, other than the fact that it is a luxury VW. I just don't see why else a superbly-engineered large car that is arguably better than the other competitors is not as sensible as those fellow competitors.
As much as I like this car, let me give you my explanation to why I wouldn't take this over an S, A8 or the 7er.

My reason for not taking this car are:

1. While it looks great, it looks too much like a stretched out Passat.
2. I would have to explain to everyone what this car is.
3. I would have to explain to everyone how this car can match the rest of the competitors in features.
4. I would have to explain to everyone how this is a bargain, but then people would still give me blank stares and say "you paid how much for this VW?"
5. In essence, it's still a VW.

What do I mean by number 5? Well, let me explain. While this is a great car and a wonderful piece of engineering, here is the problem. All the stuff they've accomplished can be overlooked at the fact that if any other major company came to the same exact marketing research, they would've made a car just like that, but no one did, and that is why this car "failed". The head of VW got so ahead of himself that he decided to make this car for no real valid reason then to say "We can build one too." While that's great mister VW CEO, but so can any other company with deep enough pockets. What do I mean by that? take a look at the new LS, while it's not the best of the best, it's still a great car for anyone but an enthusiast and journalists.

Another thing to note is the VW badge. While I'm no badge whore, the normal public is. For example, when Honda decided to build the NSX. When that car first came out it bested the best of the best of that time and kicked Ferrari's ass back in gear to make great cars again. Sure, NSX got great acclaim but didn't really catch on with the public. Why? Simply because this thought ran across most of the publics' head: "A supercar from honda? That doesn't make sense". Sure, most enthusiasts fell in love with it but most people just looked at the price and said, "I'd never pay that much for a Honda". That is the same stigma that has affected the Phaeton: "A luxury car from VW? Why? I'd never pay that much for a VW when I can pay a little more and drive a BMW/AUDI/MB."

I hope you understand just a little bit of what I'm trying to get across.
__________________
BMW M POWER!!! DON'T SCREW WITH IT!!! AKA "Naruto Raikkonen" - Thanks Imhotep.

narutoraman.blogspot.com --->Updated Mar 3...check it!
NarutoRamen is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Share on Facebook!Google Bookmark this Post!Spurl this Post!Reddit! Wong this Post!Tweet This!
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to NarutoRamen For This Useful Post:
SDNR (12-18-2007)
Old 12-18-2007, 01:53 AM   #15
SDNR   SDNR is offline
Trendsetter
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,060
Thanks: 4,098
Thanked 1,901 Times in 1,129 Posts
SDNR has disabled reputation
Re: Jeremy Clarkson reviews the Volkswagen Phaeton W12

^^ That is exactly the probelm Raman.

It is difficult to understand what VW was trying to prove when they already own Audi, Lamborghini, Bentley, and Bugatti. How much more prestige do they require?
__________________
.
SDNR is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Share on Facebook!Google Bookmark this Post!Spurl this Post!Reddit! Wong this Post!Tweet This!
Reply With Quote
Old 12-18-2007, 01:59 AM   #16
Merc1   Merc1 is offline
Contributor
 
Merc1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Aurora IL USA
Garage: 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK430 Cabriolet
Posts: 15,642
Thanks: 5,226
Thanked 9,535 Times in 4,030 Posts
Merc1 has a reputation beyond reputeMerc1 has a reputation beyond reputeMerc1 has a reputation beyond reputeMerc1 has a reputation beyond reputeMerc1 has a reputation beyond reputeMerc1 has a reputation beyond reputeMerc1 has a reputation beyond reputeMerc1 has a reputation beyond reputeMerc1 has a reputation beyond reputeMerc1 has a reputation beyond reputeMerc1 has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Jeremy Clarkson reviews the Volkswagen Phaeton W12

Audi faces the same problem to a degree here in the U.S. especially with the A8.

M
__________________
Merc1 Allstars: SLS, SL63, S65, SLK55, CL63, SL65 BS, E63, R8 5.2, S5, LP560, LP670, M3, Mulsne, BK, DBS, GT500, Gran S, 911, X6M, Z4, Veyron GS, XFR, XKR, ZR1, CC, GTI, CTSV, 458, 599.
Merc1 is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Share on Facebook!Google Bookmark this Post!Spurl this Post!Reddit! Wong this Post!Tweet This!
Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2007, 05:35 PM   #17
rev   rev is offline
Fanatic
 
rev's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Greece
Posts: 1,033
Thanks: 490
Thanked 512 Times in 248 Posts
rev is just really nicerev is just really nicerev is just really nicerev is just really nicerev is just really nicerev is just really nice
Re: Jeremy Clarkson reviews the Volkswagen Phaeton W12

Everytime people discuss about the Phaeton, they end up saying the car was a failure because of the VW badge. Maybe with a Audi badge it would have higher sales fugures. Yet many people would buy a Lexus, most of them probably ignoring the fact that they are about to give away a shit-load of money for a Toyota.
P.S. I didn't mean to offent any Lexus fan.
__________________
no signature required
rev is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Share on Facebook!Google Bookmark this Post!Spurl this Post!Reddit! Wong this Post!Tweet This!
Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2007, 01:17 PM   #18
bmer   bmer is offline
Connoisseur
 
bmer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,564
Thanks: 6,050
Thanked 2,164 Times in 1,213 Posts
bmer has a brilliant futurebmer has a brilliant futurebmer has a brilliant futurebmer has a brilliant futurebmer has a brilliant futurebmer has a brilliant futurebmer has a brilliant futurebmer has a brilliant futurebmer has a brilliant futurebmer has a brilliant futurebmer has a brilliant future
Re: Jeremy Clarkson reviews the Volkswagen Phaeton W12

Quote:
Originally Posted by rev8000 View Post
Everytime people discuss about the Phaeton, they end up saying the car was a failure because of the VW badge. Maybe with a Audi badge it would have higher sales fugures. Yet many people would buy a Lexus, most of them probably ignoring the fact that they are about to give away a shit-load of money for a Toyota.
In a similar way the LS probably would never have been such a success in the US if it was a Toyota.
bmer is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Share on Facebook!Google Bookmark this Post!Spurl this Post!Reddit! Wong this Post!Tweet This!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
clarkson, jeremy, phaeton, reviews, volkswagen, w12

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



Copyright ©2005 - 2009, GermanCarZone.com. All Rights Reserved.

SEO by vBSEO 3.3.1 ©2009, Crawlability, Inc.