I've been scratching my head since the announcement of VW's $50,000+ Toureag and $70,000+ Phaeton a few years back. I'm a VW fan. I've owned many and even drive one now. But paying $50K (or even $40K) for a VW???? You've got to be kidding me. Well, looks like that's all coming to an end and VW will be returning to their roots.
http://www.autoextremist.com/page2.shtml#Rant
Curt,
Just a small note. Quite a few of my European (Porsche) friends have bought the Toureag 10 cyl. diesel since the Cayenne doesn't come that way. They are all more than pleased with their chip tuned diesels and have no problem whatsoever with the VW logo. The Phaetom has not been a succes, I guess it had not that something unique as the Toureag has to make them switch.
Richard
DeLorenzo's a bit of a nut... but spot on with this article. Nobody could make any sense of the Phaeton marketing plan... truly bizarre!! Toyota, Nissan and Honda came up with new brands when they ventured upscale... why didn't VW just make the car under a "Phaeton" brand (with one model - a-la Maybach?).
Then again... why aren't they happy with the upscale cars already under the corporate umbrella?? Bentley, Rolls, Bugatti. Seems the corporate focus should have been on the profitability of THESE ultra lux nameplates. Maybe venturing a bit downscale with one... a MUCH easier sell, with an appropriate design (Like Aston is now doing with the Vantage - which is sold out and will surely be their most profitable line). They obviously wanted to give the VW loyalists that now have some bucks a place to go... but there was a better way. Leave VW the "people's car" it's always been and always will be. I think the new Jetta, Passats look awful BTW... but not nearly as bad as BMWs of late. Never thought I'd see the day.
The coolest thing about the Phaeton is the Dresden "Transparent Factory" it's built in.
May be a good spot to build the Panamera??
Jared
'73 911S #0793
'69 912_ #0602
Early S #0454
RGruppe #0391
The Phaeton is doing quite well in Europe, but the majority sold there are the V6 TDIs which of course, you can't get here.
US govt knows whats best for us
Early 911S Registry #750
1970 911E - The Good Stuff
2001 Toyota Landcruiser
Yeah, isn't it grand that VW can't import any more diesels this year due to fleet-emission standards. All this hand-wringing about high fuel prices and conserving fuel and our all-knowing government prohibits a near 50MPG vehicle from being sold .....
BTW: I think the Toureag is a great vehicle. I was in that market a couple of years ago. But I couldn't bring myself to spend $50K for a VW. For me, it was worth the extra $10K to buy a Cayenne. That wonderful 340HP Porsche V8 alone was worth all of that! Heck, it costs that much just to rebuild a 911 motor.
I agree with you Curt - I'd plop down the extra to get a Pepper over a Touareg.Originally Posted by CurtEgerer
BTW: I think the Toureag is a great vehicle. I was in that market a couple of years ago. But I couldn't bring myself to spend $50K for a VW. For me, it was worth the extra $10K to buy a Cayenne. That wonderful 340HP Porsche V8 alone was worth all of that! Heck, it costs that much just to rebuild a 911 motor.
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