cars news 10: China-Only Volkswagen Phideon Revealed Before Geneva Debut

At the 2016 Geneva auto show, Volkswagen will debut the Phideon, a luxury sedan that will be launched in the Chinese market in 2016. At around five meters (roughly 16 feet) long, the Phideon is about the same size as the Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series. The Phideon slots above the Passat in Volkswagen’s lineup and the Chinese-market Magotan sedan.

Powering the Volkswagen Phideon will be a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 rated at 300 hp and 347 lb-ft of torque. Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system is standard on models equipped with the turbo-six. Front-drive Phideons will come standard with a 2.0-liter turbo-four while a plug-in hybrid powertrain is also planned for future variants. The Phideon will also be the first Volkswagen model to utilize the MLB platform that’s also used in the 2017 Audi Q7.

From a design perspective, the Phideon’s exterior is restrained and conservatively styled. The car’s silhouette appears more upright like in most upscale German sedans. In a way, the Phideon looks like a more sophisticated take on the new European-spec Passat because its lines and headlight design hint at Volkswagen’s new corporate face. The Phideon will also be the first car in Volkswagen’s lineup to feature a new front fascia designed specifically for its luxury cars.

Inside the Phideon’s cabin, you’ll find seats with multiple adjustments, heating, cooling, and massaging functions. Additionally, the car features a lounge-like atmosphere thanks to wrap-around ambient lighting strips with three color options. Volkswagen’s latest MIB infotainment system will also be featured in the Phideon and it will come with Google Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Mirrorlink compatibility. A suite of active safety features including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane change assist, park assist, and automatic emergency braking. Other key features include a head-up display, a 360-degree view camera, night vision, and Light Assist, which lowers the high beam headlights.

Source: Volkswagen