Report: Volkswagen shares details on future lineup, new Phaeton and mid-size crossover on the way
It’s obvious that auto conglomerates are stuck in huge sales wars to see who could beat each other to the punch in terms of global market shares. In lieu of this, AutomotiveNews reports that Volkswagen has released some details surrounding the future of its lineup in the near future
This includes an all-new Volkswagen Phaeton, the ill-fated flagship that could make it to US shores. Other projects include a new crossover as well. This crossover is expected to sit above the Tiguan, but below the Touareg.
Beginning with Volkswagen’s European city car, Volkswagen reportedly said that it is still not planned for the US, but it can be engineered quickly to meet US specification. This is most likely thanks to the new emergence of Volkswagen’s MQB modular platform.
The Golf and the Beetle will continue to carry on as is, with the Beetle convertible going on sale this December—an odd time to begin releasing a droptop in the heat of winter. The Golf MK7 is expected to be in the US by 2014. A plug-in version should also be in the mix of the new Golf lineup.
The Golf’s sexier sibling, the Scirocco could see our shores by 2016, which is about the time when Volkswagen should be completely redesigning the vehicle.
The Eos carries on for the next couple years, though the Eos is expected to see an axe at some point to make way for the new Golf-based cabrio in 2014 or 2015. Additionally, Volkswagen will seek to make a Europe-only Passat convertible, though there was no indication of its approval.
The Jetta could see a redesign, or a mid-cycle refresh as early as 2015 or 2016. A Hybrid version will be hitting showrooms in November, while the SportWagen estate will be redesigned before the sedan in 2014, or 2015. Volkswagen is also considering an Alltrack crossover model a la Subaru Outback.
The much anticipated BlueSport mid-engined two-seater roadster has been spotted in prototype form, though Volkswagen hasn’t reported on its approval just yet. According AN, Volkswagen executives are unsure about its success in the US.
The Passat carries on unchanged for a refresh most likely due in 2014 with a CC refresh due in 2015.
Last but not least, the big-dog Phaeton flagship, which was actually a very nice luxury executive sedan, could return to the United States. It’s been six years since the last Phaeton was sold in the US brand new and this was due to the poor reception of “buying a $60,000+ Volkswagen,” when you could just gen an Audi. Though word is that the new Volkswagen will be far more value-aimed and should cost less than $70,000 as a base model. A 12-cylinder model is still expected to be in the mix and should cost around $100,000.
The last Phaeton was Volkswagen over engineering a car at its best and the result was one of the finest luxury sedans money could buy. Let’s not forget, Volkswagen’s at-the-time CEO, Ferdinand Piech, who set some 10 outstanding standards that the Phaeton had to meet and exceed. One of those standards was that the Phaeton should be capable of being driven at 300 km/h at full load, all day during an ambient exterior temperature of 50 deg C (122 deg F), while maintaining 22 deg C (72 deg F) for the interior. Durrr…..
The biggest problem it had in this country was rather a badging issue as the Phaeton saw some decent success in its home market. Thanks to Volkswagen’s MQB platform, the new Phaeton will most likely be far cheaper to produce and more cost efficient. But unfortunately, it also means it’ll be less over-engineered, which is a characteristic that car enthusiasts often appreciate.
– By: Chris Chin
Source: AutomotiveNews