2009 VW Phaeton announced

The Phaeton - the Volkswagen flagship - has new technical features on board starting right now. An entirely new generation of infotainment systems (RCD 810 and RNS 810) is being introduced. The systems - equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen - offer significantly extended functionality, quicker access to infor¬mation and a nearly self-explanatory user interface logic. Another new design on this model is the control unit for the standard four-zone automatic climate control system. The RCD 810 or RNS 810 and climate control share a common module in the center console area. The center console itself has a completely new look. As an option, the RNS 810 radio-navigation system can be extended to include a new 1,000 Watt strong high-end sound system from Danish hi-fi specialist Dynaudio.

Upgrades for the 2009 model year extend to the powertrain as well. New to the Phaeton engine lineup is a considerably more efficient V6 gasoline direct-injection engine (FSI) with 206 kW / 280 PS. Compared to the previous engine, the V6 FSI offers a performance gain of 39 PS, on the one hand, yet it consumes 0.4 liters less fuel per 100 kilometers on the other. A common feature: All four gasoline and diesel engines on the Phaeton (176 kW / 240 PS to 331 kW / 450 PS) fulfill the new Euro-5 emissions standard.

Other changes to the 2009 model year car now being launched include: three new types of alloy wheels (17, 18 and 19 inch), a slightly modified radiator grille, three new car colors (”Silver leaf metallic”, “Beryllium gray metallic” and “Mocca-anthracite pearl effect”), the new leather color “Corn silk beige”, the new wood accents “Poplar grain latte macchiato” and “Vavona”, white switch illumination instead of red, accent and switch trim in the new “Warm gray” color, an upgraded car key, makeup mirror in the rear on the long version, dampers optimized for low-friction, ceramic brakes (front) on the Phaeton W12 as well as a rearview camera (Rear Assist).

RCD 810 and RNS 810 in detail

Consider the RNS 810: it unites a very quickly responding navigation system with numerous multimedia functions such as an MP3 player, auxiliary hybrid TV tuner (option) and “Premium” prep for Bluetooth mobile telephone that can be ordered as an option. The navigation system loads the map data it needs from a 30-Gigabyte hard drive integrated in the RNS 810. In parallel, the hard drive is used to save MP3 songs too.

As an option, a high-end sound system can be added to the RNS 810: the Dynaudio Temptation”. The system with its 1,000 Watts of acoustic power output via its twelve-channel digital amplifier and digital signal processor (DSP) provides for an exceptional sound experience of the superlative class. The sound system includes twelve Dynaudio loudspeakers with practically perfect equalization.

New V6 FSI; Euro-5 standard thoroughly satisfied

A new V6 gasoline engine being used in the new Phaeton is an FSI engine (direct gasoline injection) with 3.6 liter displacement and 206 kW / 280 PS. It replaces the 3.2 liter V6 with 177 kW / 241 PS. The smooth FSI develops a maximum torque of 360 Newton-meters that is constantly available between 2,500 and 5,000 rpm and guarantees impressive high-torque performance. The maximum power of the twenty-four valve six-cylinder engine is available at 6,250 rpm.

The Phaeton V6 FSI reaches the 100 km/h mark from a stop in 8.6 seconds, and its top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h. The car’s average fuel consumption is 11.7 liters Super per 100 kilometers. It was possible to lower CO2 emissions from 288 g/km to 273 g/km.

Besides the new 3.6 liter FSI, the two even more powerful V8 and W12 gasoline engines with 246 kW / 335 PS and 331 kW / 450 PS, respectively, now fulfill the Euro-5 emissions standard that takes effect in September 2009.

Front Assist in detail

The braking distance reducing Front Assist is part of adaptive cruise control (ACC). ACC relieves the driver of active braking and acceleration tasks. And this enhances driving convenience - especially on longer freeway drives. Simultaneously, it prevents the distance to the next vehicle from dropping below the legally prescribed minimum gap.

Front Assist goes one step further: the purpose of this ACC extension is to help prevent front-end collisions. The system uses a radar sensor to monitor the distance to vehicles in traffic ahead of the Phaeton. When this distance is too short, the driver is informed in two stages. Simultaneously, the vehicle is prepared for possible hard braking by the driver. In advance of certain situations, Front Assist preventively puts the brakes in a preconditioned status, which otherwise would not happen until the brake pedal is actuated. So the new system acts as a braking distance reduction system (AWV). ACC may be activated within a vehicle speed range between 30 and 200 km/h. The system uses radar to acquire traffic over an angle of 12 degrees and up to 200 meters in front of the Phaeton. An ON/OFF switch on the left side of the multifunctional steering wheel is used to activate or deactivate ACC.

Side Assist in detail

Another assistance system in the Phaeton is the lane changing assistant (Side Assist). Starting at 60 km/h, this system monitors the area in back of and next to the Phaeton via radar sensors in the rear bumper (one sensor for the area to the left of the vehicle, and one for the right) and signals a potential risk of collision via a warning lamp in the rearview mirror housing. The monitoring range of the sensor spans a distance of about 50 meters to the rear and 3.60 meters to the sides of the sedan.

All-wheel drive and air suspension are standard

The driver assistance systems supplement the Phaeton’s extraordinarily large potential for safety and comfort. Background: All versions of the sedan have the combination of all-wheel drive & air suspension as standard equipment.

The specialists at Volkswagen Individual can further refine the Phaeton’s equipment very specifically. Features covered by Phaeton individualization include the “Sensitive Classic Style” leather interior in specially developed colors and color combinations, an “Alcantara package”, a wide variety of interior accents, the “high-end multimedia system” with LCD monitors on the backs of the front seat headrests, a refrigerator in the rear and many types of alloy wheels such as the 19-inch “Omanyt” wheels. Furthermore, the Phaeton is offered in 4 and 5 seat interior versions as well as with an optional extended wheelbase.

Vw Phaeton Photo Album ( 31 hi-resolution photos ) - updated

Source: VW

• Volkswagen unveils Phaeton in India
• Volkswagen Phaeton ranked most secure luxury car
• RNS 510 navigation now with voice control

• Volkswagen unveils Phaeton in India
• Volkswagen Phaeton ranked most secure luxury car
• RNS 510 navigation now with voice control