Volkswagen Phideon debuts in Geneva for China

2 min to read
Mar 1, 2016 9:30 AM CET

The new Volkswagen Phideon sedan has debuted on the Geneva Motor Show, but it is only for China. It is the production version of the Volkswagen C Coupe GTE concept. The Phideon will be manufactured by the Shanghai-Volkswagen joint venture and it will be launched on the Chinese car market in September.

The Phideon will be positioned between the Volkswagen Passat/Megotan and the Volkswagen Phaeton. It stands on the same stretched version of the MLB 2 platform as the China-made Audi A6L. The Phileon will be powered a 3.0 TSI V6 petrol with an output of 300hp and 440nm, sending power to all four wheels via Volkswagen’s 4Motion 4WD system. Later on 2.0 TSI and a hybrid will join the line-up, likely in mid 2017. Price for the V6 version will start around 350.000 yuan and end around 400.000 yuan.

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The Shanghai-Volkswagen badge.

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A luxurious interior but it seems that Volkswagen is starting to fall behind a bit when it comes to dashboard technology. The touch screen in far too small for a car this expensive in 2016, and the instrument panel is largely conventional. And where other brands fit ever smaller gear levers or even buttons or dials Volkswagen continues to use a monster that would look big even in a tractor.

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Even the air vents and the wheels look kind of… old. It just doesn’t seem a brand new luxury vehicle for the crucial Chinese market. But it is.

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Too small and the buttons on each side differ too much from all the other buttons and switches.

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Conventional dials in a 290.000 yuan car! Chinese car buyers are going to be surprised about this one.

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Seats look Bentley-like in gray and green. Good.

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Sleek and sporty profile from the concept car remains, but the roof is a but higher now.

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The Phideon name comes from the Roman goddess Fides, and symbolizes (according to Volkswagen marketing speak) ‘perfection, elegance, and and trustworthiness’.  Note aerodynamic mirrors.

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The 3.0 V6. There seems to be enough space for a big ‘n juicy V8. Needs.

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Lights and pipes are nicely done.

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Beautiful line from the front lights all the way to the rear end. Subtle spoiler in the boot lid.

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