Has the Phaeton been discontinued?
5 Answers
The Phaeton has been discontinued. The Phaeton was an imported large luxury sedan under the Volkswagen brand. In terms of body dimensions, the car measured 5197 mm in length, 1903 mm in width, and 1450 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3001 mm. Power-wise, the Phaeton was equipped with a total of 6 engines, with the top model featuring a 6.0-liter W12 naturally aspirated engine. This engine delivered 450 horsepower and a maximum torque of 560 Nm, with a maximum power output at 6050 rpm and peak torque available between 2750 to 5200 rpm. The engine utilized direct fuel injection technology and was constructed with an aluminum alloy cylinder head and block.
The Phaeton was indeed discontinued, back in 2016. I still remember how popular it was when it first launched. Volkswagen built it at their Dresden factory, featuring an all-aluminum body paired with a V8 engine—driving it felt like cruising in a mobile palace. But the market didn’t embrace it; the price was too high, competing fiercely with the Audi A8, leading to sluggish sales. To me, it’s like a tragic hero—technologically impressive, yet too expensive for the average buyer, with costly maintenance and rare parts in the used market. Volkswagen later shifted focus to the electric ID series, sidelining the Phaeton. It just goes to show how ruthless the auto industry can be—great products don’t always survive. If you’re keen on one, you’ll have to hunt the used market, but be ready to open your wallet, as rare gems come with maintenance headaches.
The Phaeton has been discontinued since 2016. As a car enthusiast, I think Volkswagen made a wise decision. Back then, the Phaeton was positioned as a luxury car but had low market acceptance, competing with its own Audi A8, resulting in poor sales and persistently high costs. Now, the global auto market is shifting towards new energy electric vehicles, with models like the Volkswagen ID. series being more popular and practical. The Phaeton's all-aluminum body and advanced engine technology were actually quite good, but times have changed, and consumers are now focusing on smart connectivity and environmental friendliness. I suggest fellow car enthusiasts stop dwelling on the Phaeton and instead consider the current Audi A8 or pure electric sedans, which are more cost-effective and hassle-free.
The Phaeton has been discontinued for a long time, production stopped back in 2016. Speaking from an owner's perspective, I drove an older Phaeton for a while—it was comfortable and safe, but the most annoying part about it being discontinued is how hard it is to find parts for repairs, and they're not cheap either. The market reason is simple: sales were too low, and Volkswagen didn't want to keep losing money on it. Now, with the shift to the electric era, regular buyers should probably skip the Phaeton. While used ones might be cheap, maintenance is a huge hassle. I'd recommend something more practical and cost-effective like the Volkswagen Teramont.
The Phaeton has been discontinued for many years, with production ending in 2016. From an economic perspective, I find it quite costly to maintain after discontinuation – high maintenance expenses, scarcity in the used car market, coupled with significant risks of parts shortages, making it not cost-effective. While it was an excellent car when launched, the market demand was low, and Volkswagen shifted towards more affordable products. Cost-conscious owners should avoid it and opt for newer models like the Volkswagen Passat, which offers easier maintenance.
