Which Volkswagen models have letters below the emblem?
3 Answers
Volkswagen models with letters below the emblem include: Phaeton, Phideon, Touareg, CC, Passat, and 8th-generation Golf, among others. Taking the 2020 Passat as an example, it belongs to the mid-size car category with body dimensions of: length 4933mm, width 1836mm, height 1469mm, wheelbase 2871mm, fuel tank capacity 68.5 liters, and curb weight 1470kg. The 2020 Passat features a front MacPherson strut independent suspension and rear multi-link independent suspension. It is equipped with a 1.4L turbocharged engine producing maximum power of 150PS (110kW) and peak torque of 250Nm, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
A few days ago, while filming a short video at the 4S dealership, I saw the rear emblem of the Phideon up close. Among Volkswagen models, only the Phideon and the discontinued luxury sedan Phaeton feature the centered 'PHIDEON' or 'PHAETON' lettering directly below the emblem—a stark contrast to Mercedes-Benz's practice of placing model letters on the left side of the tailgate. I recall older Audi A8 models had a similar design, but current versions have abandoned it. Spotting a lettered Volkswagen on the road is easy: the combination of a full-width chrome strip, a three-dimensional emblem, and lettering beneath the emblem is unique among currently available models. The Phideon’s use of this design does exude a premium feel, especially since it shares the same platform as the A6L.
Last time when helping a friend inspect a used car, I encountered this situation. He thought he had bought a fake Phaeton, but actually, just by looking at the letters under the emblem, it was clear. Currently, among Volkswagen's models on sale, only the Phideon (with the letters PHIDEON) has its letters arranged directly below the rear emblem. The older Phaeton model (with the letters PHAETON) also had this feature but has been discontinued for ten years. Other models like the Passat and Tiguan place their model letters in the lower right corner of the tailgate. This central lettering design was originally exclusive to luxury cars, and the Phideon's continuation of this style is a tribute to the classic. It's important to remind everyone to pay attention to the spelling of the letters, as some people now modify their cars by randomly sticking on letters. Authentic car letters are laser-engraved with a three-dimensional effect.
