Phaeton debuts with new design and new technologies

Flagship of the Volkswagen brand with fundamentally new front design

Online services and dynamic main beam control arrive in the Phaeton
Wolfsburg / Beijing, 22 April 2010 - At the Transparent Factory in Dresden Volkswagen
produces one of the finest automobiles in the world: the Phaeton. The limousine's quality and
comfort (four-wheel drive and air suspension as standard) set a unique benchmark. Volkswagen,
the most successful carmaker in Europe and China, has now made the Phaeton even more
perfect. The company's new flagship is being unveiled for the first time at Auto China 2010 (27th
April to 2nd May) in Beijing.

Its contours are defined by the Volkswagen design DNA developed by Walter de Silva, the
group's Italian chief designer. Around the completely new front section in particular the design
team has further refined the model's very own stylistic aplomb. In the process the timelessly
elegant Phaeton has gained a broader and more powerful appearance. The new model is also
characterised by modifications to its rear section and silhouette.

At the same time, new technical features have been added. These include Dynamic Light Assist
(camera-based dynamic main beam regulation) and a navigation system that, if desired, can
integrate online data from Google into the map display. In addition to this, the Phaeton's optional
front camera enables it to 'see' road signs, with speed limit signs visualised on the instrument
panel and centre console's touchscreen. The system will also be able to recognise and depict 'no
overtaking' signs – the first in the world to do so!

The Phaeton will be available with a choice of two wheelbase options, two back seat versions
(three seats / two individual seats) and four engines (a turbo diesel and three petrol engines). The
six, eight and twelve-cylinder engines range in capacity from 176 kW / 240 PS to 331 kW / 450
PS. The standard drive unit used in the Phaeton is a V6 petrol engine producing 206 kW / 280
PS. At the capacities above the V6 FSI the choices available are a V8 and a W12 petrol engine,
delivering 246 kW / 335 PS and 331 kW / 450 PS respectively. On the diesel front Volkswagen is
offering an extremely frugal and smooth-running V6 TDI. In Europe it is the most frequently
selected engine for this car. The turbocharged common rail direct injection engine delivers 176
kW / 240 PS and accelerates the Phaeton V6 (top speed in this case 237 km/h) from 0 to 100 km/
h in just 8.6 seconds. This is accompanied by average fuel consumption that has now been
reduced still further to just 8.5 litres per 100 km (equating to 224 g/km CO2).

Phaeton exterior

Depending on wheelbase, the 2011 model Phaeton is between 5.06 and 5.18 metres long. As
mentioned above, a completely new front section has been developed for this flagship of the
Volkswagen brand. In keeping with the current Volkswagen design DNA, its form is dominated
by horizontal lines. Unlike all other Volkswagens created to date on the basis of this new DNA,
the Phaeton does not have a shiny black radiator grille cover, but instead a completely new
chrome element. Along with the likewise restyled headlights, this radiator trim is a major
influence in the new Phaeton's design and underlines its uncompromisingly independent
character. In detail the new grille is more upright, while its stricter lines and impressive
alternation of materials between polished and matt chrome make it even more striking. The
horizontal linking of grille and headlights follows the Volkswagen design criteria and
impressively emphasises the vehicle's width. As a sign of its class specific to this model the
Phaeton also features three-dimensional moulding of the grille and bonnet, with precise edges
that carry the grille's heightened expression of quality on into the sculptured contours of the
vehicle body. Once again in the centre of the grille is the classic VW badge, which now - despite
integrating the ACC (automatic distance control) system's radar sensors - has a new-look surface
design.

To the left and right of the grille are new Bi-Xenon headlamps, which are standard across the
range. Integrated within them are cornering and adaptive lights. Not just in visual terms, but from
a technical perspective too, this is a whole new generation of headlamps. Firstly, the indicator
and adaptive cornering lights are highly visible and stylistically striking LEDs. Secondly, as with
the new Touareg, the Phaeton will also be available with optional Dynamic Light Assist. Using a
camera integrated into the rear-view mirror, this complex technology 'detects' other road users
and regulates illumination of the carriageway accordingly (see separate section on Dynamic
Light Assist).

The bumper has also been redesigned in keeping with the radiator grille and headlamps. Here too
horizontal lines form the guiding principles of the new design. Even the fog lamps have been
designed as narrow, horizontal LED strips. Last but not least, the bottom final section of the
bumper is now also colour-coordinated with the car body. Compared to the previous model the
new generation Phaeton thus looks even sportier and more imposing on the road.

Also modified, the back of the car underlines this impression. The design team decided here not
to change the classic, clear and powerful basic style that this area has always had, but instead to
develop new LED rear light clusters. Each cluster features dotted lights and an M-shaped LED
strip. The result is an unmistakable, elegant look both in daylight and at night. Also new is the
VW badge - now likewise in 3D format - on the boot lid.

As at the front, the rear bumper has also been redesigned. It now has a new, three-piece chrome
bar and the section of the bumper trim near the road is now also colour-coordinated with the car
body. The same goes for the bottom section of the side skirts. Also noticeable in silhouette view
are modified side trim strips, narrower LED indicators in the wing mirrors and new 18-inch
('Experience') alloy wheels.

Phaeton interior

The Phaeton's interior ranks as one of the most elegant, high quality and comfortable in the entire
premium class. The 4-zone air-conditioning system, for example, that works totally free of any
draughts, and the award-winning ergonomic 18-way seats are unsurpassed. All of the Phaeton
interior's functions are also intuitive to use. In addition to the version with three rear seats (5-
seater), the limousine can be optionally ordered with two electrically adjustable individual seats
(4-seater). Furthermore a version of the Phaeton is also available that is twelve centimetres
longer. Meanwhile, the limousine can be almost infinitely personalised with a wide range of
leather, alcantara and wood trim, plus optional equipment such as a fridge or multimedia systems
from Volkswagen Exclusive. This also applies to the completely redesigned multifunction
steering wheel. It can be ordered either in leather or in a wood/leather combination matching the
relevant wood trim features.

Information and entertainment systems

The intuitive nature of the Phaeton's controls has been fully transferred to the new generation of
radio and navigation systems (RCD 810 and RNS 810). Equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen,
the systems form a functional unit with the air-conditioning and multimedia controls.

Use of online services: Volkswagen is for the first time offering an Internet-based Google
function in the new Phaeton as a map display add-on for the RNS 810 radio navigation system
with 30-gigabyte hard drive. The relevant data gets loaded onto the system over the Internet via
mobile telephone and a proxy server specially set up for the purpose. The visualisation on the
touchscreen's display is the same as the Google Maps 'Satellite' view familiar from the
conventional Internet and equivalent to the iPhone's 'Hybrid' view. In the Phaeton the satellite
images naturally get supplemented by the navigation system's appropriately highlighted route
recommendation.

Particularly interesting in this feature are the POIs (points of interest) that can be accessed.
Addresses, tourist sights, businesses, sports venues, doctors' surgeries and restaurants integrated
within Google can be selected in seconds and transferred directly into the route navigation. In
perfect conditions the system loads the data via UMTS connection. The telephone itself gets
completely integrated into the system via remote SIM access profiles (rSAP). Alternatively,
anyone who wants to use a mobile phone with hands-free profiles (HFPs) can also do this linked
up with the new Phaeton (in this case Google is disabled). In HFP mode phones that are 'Phaeton
compatible' include, for example, Apple's iPhone.

Road sign recognition: However the latest generation Phaeton's information and entertainment
system can do even more! By virtue of the camera integrated in the rear-view mirror the Phaeton
now detects road signs and shows the relevant information on the system's touchscreen and/or
the multifunction display (between speedometer and rev counter). It displays not only the
maximum permitted speed but also any important additional information (e.g. '10pm - 6am' or
'When wet'). The system will also be able to alert drivers to overtaking restrictions – the first
vehicle in the world to do so!

For the RNS 810 radio/navigation system further add-on options are also available. These
include a rear-seat multimedia entertainment system (the High End) and a 1,000-watt sound
system with digital 12-channel amplifier from hi-fi specialists Dynaudio.

Electronic assistance systems

The Phaeton's electronic assistance systems include Dynamic Light Assist (dynamic main beam
control), ACC (automatic distance regulation), Front Assist (surroundings monitoring) and Side
Assist (lane change assistance). A tyre pressure control system also provides standards of safety.
Dynamic Light Assist in detail: Volkswagen is introducing for the Phaeton a new optional
camera-based main beam control system called Dynamic Light Assist, which represents a major
technical innovation in passive safety. Linked in with a camera integrated behind the windscreen
the system keeps the main beam modules of the standard Bi-Xenon headlamps permanently on.
It merely masks the areas of each beam that it calculates could potentially disturb other road
users. For the driver this means appreciably more light, clearly enhanced safety and a more
relaxing drive. The function is achieved by an additional aperture between the reflector holding
the Xenon bulb and the lens. Combined with an intelligent, lateral tilting of the complete module
(via the cornering light function) and individual control of the left and right headlights, this
additional aperture arrangement enables the light source to be masked only in those areas that
could otherwise cause other motorists to be dazzled.

Thanks to the front camera the cornering light control system detects the exact position of the
vehicle in front and at speeds of 60 km/h or more 'pushes' the cone of light up to the rear of the
vehicle or even to its side and on past it – without dazzling the driver. The increase in safety and
driver convenience provided by Dynamic Light Assist is considerable and can be ranked on a par
with that achieved at the time by the introduction of Xenon technology.

ACC and Front Assist in detail: Automatic distance regulation (ACC) relieves the driver of the
burden of active braking and acceleration. ACC significantly improves driving comfort and
passive safety, especially on longer motorway journeys. At the same time the system (when
activated) ensures adherence to the legally prescribed minimum distance from the vehicle in
front.

An integral component of ACC is Front Assist. This ACC extension is designed to help prevent
rear-end collisions. Using a radar sensor, the system monitors the distance to the vehicles in front
of the Phaeton. If this is becoming too short, the system alerts the driver in two stages. At the
same time the vehicle is prepared for possible emergency braking by the driver. Even before
certain situations arise, Front Assist takes preventative action by putting the brakes into a
preconditioned status that otherwise only gets activated when the brake pedal is pushed. The
system thus acts as a means of reducing the car's stopping distance.

Automatic distance regulation is operated via relevant buttons on the redesigned multifunction
steering wheel. It is operated in many aspects in the same way as the cruise control system. With
ACC enabled the car automatically slows down (if necessary to a stop) and speeds up within a
speed range set in advance by the driver. ACC can be switched on at speeds of between 30 and
200 km/h. The system then uses radar to detect any traffic within an angle of 12 degrees
travelling up to 200 metres in front of the Phaeton. ACC is enabled and disabled via an ON/OFF
button on the left of the multifunction steering wheel. All of the driver assistance systems,
including ACC, can also be switched on or off simultaneously by pressing a button in the centre
of the indicator stalk for more than a second. The ACC also gets disabled as soon as the driver
pushes the brake pedal. The system can be switched back on via the 'Resume' button on the
steering wheel. It then continues to use the desired speed set prior to it being disabled.

The key information about the automatic distance regulation system can be seen quickly and
clearly laid out on the multifunction display.
Side Assist in detail: Another assistance system in the Phaeton is the lane change assistant (Side
Assist). At speeds of 60 km/h or more this system monitors the area behind and to the side of the
Phaeton via radar sensors in the rear bumper (one sensor each for the area to left and right) and
indicates via a warning light in the wing mirror frame any risk of potential collision. The area
monitored by the sensors covers a distance of around 50 metres to the rear and 3.6 metres to the
side of the car.

If Side Assist detects a critical situation to the left or right of the Phaeton and the driver has not
switched on the blinker to indicate a change of lane, the warning light in the wing mirror frame
comes on to draw attention to the special traffic situation. If, however, the driver turns on the
indicator while there is traffic in the adjacent lane, the light flashes four times to warn of the
potential danger. The brightness of the warning lights can be adjusted to one of five levels via the
multifunction display. In an interesting interlinking of the car's systems the ambient brightness
detected at any given time by the rain and light detection sensor gets automatically taken into
account in determining the brightness level.

Note:
TDI and TSI are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG or other companies of the Volkswagen
Group in Germany and other countries.
Equipment details and technical data apply to the model range sold in Germany. Details for other
countries may vary.