Is the Phaeton engine V12 or W12?
3 Answers
There are both V12 and W12. The cylinders of a V-type engine are arranged in a V shape, generally with an included angle within 90 degrees, although some may exceed 90 degrees. The ideal angle is 90 degrees. The advantages of a V-type engine are smooth operation and space saving, but the disadvantages are complex structure, difficulty in maintenance and repair, resulting in higher car maintenance costs. The W-type engine is equivalent to two V-type engines (V+V=W). Its advantages are more compact structure, ability to accommodate more cylinders, and larger displacement, but the disadvantages are overly complex structure and less balanced operation compared to the V-type engine.
I remember the top-tier Phaeton indeed came with a W12 engine, and Volkswagen put a lot of effort into this unique configuration. The W layout is more compact than the traditional V-type, and with a 60-degree cylinder bank angle plus turbocharging, the power output could be squeezed to around 420 horsepower. The exhaust note during cold starts in winter was particularly distinctive. Actually, this was quite similar to the early design of the Audi A8, but the Phaeton leaned more toward executive tuning, with its explosive power hidden beneath smoothness. However, this engine’s fuel consumption was far from friendly, easily reaching 18 L/100km in pure city driving. After its discontinuation, it ironically became a collector’s highlight, especially now that electric vehicles dominate and large-displacement naturally aspirated engines are increasingly rare.
Having worked on quite a few Phaetons, the W12 engine in the engine bay is particularly easy to recognize—its intake manifold looks like two V6s put together. The cast iron block's heat dissipation is its Achilles' heel, often triggering fault codes due to sensor overheating in summer. Back then, most clients were entrepreneurs who genuinely didn't care for the V12's roaring presence, instead preferring the W12's low-RPM steadiness. Once, while replacing the timing chain on an '06 model, it took three hours just to dismantle the surrounding pipes—such precision machinery was beyond the capability of ordinary repair shops. Nowadays, you might occasionally spot one in the used car market, but a single engine repair could cost as much as buying a new car.
