(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

When Volkswagen launched the Phaeton as its flagship sedan in 2002, the company had high expectations when it came to luxury and performance. Heck, it was even based on the same chassis as the Audi A8! The only difference being the A8 was made out of aluminum, while the Phaeton was made of steel.
After its brief two year existence in the United States, the Phaeton was withdrawn due to underwhelming sales. Though the Phaeton failed miserably in the U.S., it soldiered on in Europe and other countries until late 2015 – it appeared its fate was sealed by the diesel emissions scandal.
Then, Volkswagen decided to re-launch it as an electric only vehicle, but soon that plan was also scrapped. So now that the expensively engineered sales nightmare has been permanently put to rest, it’s time to introduce its successor: the 2017 Volkswagen Phideon.
What’s New
The Phideon is the first Volkswagen model to use VW Group’s modular, longitudinal-engine MLB architecture. At 198.8 inches long, 73.6 inches wide, and 58.3 inches tall, the Phideon is a class above the European spec Passat.
The Phideon’s exterior design is heavily influenced by Volkswagen’s C Coupe GTE hybrid concept car from the 2015 Shanghai Motor Show. The new, full-size flagship sedan is named after the Roman goddess of fidelity, Fides, but when it’s translated into German, its spelled Phideon (don’t ask me why, cause...