Lesser Phaeton or Ultra Passat? Volkswagen Planning New Premium Model

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

The long journey back from the economic damage wrought by the diesel emissions scandal is taking Volkswagen down new roads.

In a bid to boost the profitability of its remaining non-diesel lineup, the automaker will introduce a wholly new model aimed at the premium car crowd, Bloomberg reports.

A company spokesperson claims the model will sport four doors and a fastback profile, similar to the Sport Coupe GTE Concept unveiled at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. That’s right, it’s not an SUV — Volkswagen already has plans for those.

According to the spokesperson, Volkswagen’s unnamed model has the European market and overseas customers in its sights, including the U.S. The model could appear as early as next year.

No doubt eyeing potential profits with the hunger of a child peering into a candy story window, company executives know they can’t repeat the experience of the big-bucks, low-demand Phaeton. That ultra-premium model bit the dust last year, so another foray into the six-figure price range is unlikely. Expect the new model to bridge the wide price gap between the Phaeton and the midsize Passat.

The pre-scandal Sport Coupe GTE Concept rode into Geneva on Volkswagen’s MQB modular platform. Powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 and two electric motors, the concept put a combined 374 horsepower to all four wheels and boasted an all-electric range of 32 miles.

If a model with a similar powertrain makes it to production, it would bolster Volkswagen’s much-sought-after green credentials.

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • White Shadow White Shadow on Oct 07, 2016

    I always thought the CC was the best-looking car in VW showrooms. If this does turn out to be the next CC, it looks like a winner, at least from the rear.

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    • White Shadow White Shadow on Oct 07, 2016

      @Old Man Pants Sorry, not seeing the similarity.

  • Gasser Gasser on Oct 08, 2016

    VW does not seem to get the upscale/near luxury/luxury branding thing. Lexus doesn't sell solely on the car, but also on the dealership experience. As a former Lexus owner, now a Hyundai Genesis owner, I will tell you the dealership experience (attitude of service writers, waiting room, donut selection, loaners) is far different. I buy the car and can get my own donuts and coffee, but I think that the "experience" is a BIG hook for Lexus. You'd think that marketing at VW might have learned that after the Phaeton. (Sorry about

  • Tosh Tosh on Oct 08, 2016

    "down new roads"? Methinks this Steph writer-clown has forgotten there is still a CC being sold TODAY. TODAY, 8 OCT 2016. It was probably also on sale when that was written...

  • Supercool Supercool on Oct 09, 2016

    Let talk about VW mileage! Unless now's not, a good time,?

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