A new iteration of Volkswagen's flagship Phaeton made its debut at the Geneva motor show last week. The car is a very subtle evolution of the luxury car first unveiled in 2003 and features new technical and mechanical revisions.

When the Phaeton was first launched, it did not receive the attention Volkswagen thought it deserved. Though it was in all respects a very good car sales failed to meet expectations, mostly because of the badge on the grille. If it had worn the four rings of Volkswagen's luxury division rather than the blue and white 'people's car' moniker, it would have likely sold in far greater volume.

But Volkswagen is not dissuaded. The largest European carmaker is launching a new 3-litre V6 TDI engine in the latest Phaeton model and kitting it out with even more technology than its predecessor. .

Fitted with common-rail direct injection technology, the new V6 turbodiesel already meets Euro V emissions standards (ahead of the 2009 deadline) and develops 235bhp - a 13bhp increase over the outgoing V6 TDI engine. Other engine choices include three petrol units: a 3.2-litre 237bhp V6, 4.2-litre 330bhp V8, and a range-topping 444bhp 6-litre W12. All engines are available in either short or long wheelbase platforms, with the new diesel unit expected to be the powerplant of choice for most buyers.

It will be challenging to differentiate the new Phaeton from its predecessor. Other than a 'reprofiled' bonnet and two new designs for the 19-inch alloy wheels, the new car is essentially the same as the old one. But the Phaeton remains a technical showcase for the Volkswagen range. At the front end, revised bi-xenon head lamps (with integrated LED running lights) are joined to the steering mechanism and swivel to illuminate the road accordingly. And it doesn't stop there.

Volkswagen has also fitted the new saloon with 'front scan' technology to automatically bring the vehicle to a stop should the system sense a hazard ahead, alongside a 'side scan' system to monitor the area beside the vehicle for obstacles. The system is claimed to make changing lanes on the motorway safer by alerting the driver if an obstacle is present, much like Volvo's 'blind spot information' system.

Standard comfort and convenience features include four-zone climate control for both front and rear occupants, a continuously variable damping air suspension set-up with automatic self-levelling (and three ride settings), and a satellite navigation system - accessed via a seven-inch colour monitor in the dash.

Equipment levels for the latest Phaeton include four-wheel drive and a slew of safety system acronyms: ABS, EBD, ESP, and HBA (hydraulic brake assist). The four-wheel drive system benefits from an electronic differential lock and anti-slip regulation to limit loss of traction, so passengers won't need to make use of any of the eight airbags on board.

The revised Volkswagen Phaeton is scheduled for UK launch this summer.

Eric Gallina - 19 Mar 2007