BRAVERY REQUIRED

into the background.

Also see the aggressively styled, Rover 75- based MGZT V6 for a similar example of flawed fun from a firm in an unfortunate state of flux. Volkswagen’s only attempt thus far at a luxury executive sedan isn’t a tantalising proposition because of any hot- headed performance attributes. Nor is the Phaeton a car that excites the pulse in terms of its styling, what with it essentially being an oversized 2002- era Passat. But it will prove a more interesting model in time.

When it was announced in March this year Phaeton production was ending, the world issued a collective shrug of disinterest. Which unfortunately for Volkswagen, is pretty much how the world reacted when the thing was launched, too.

The Phaeton was an anachronism in the Volkswagen line- up; engineered under the watchful eye of The MG ZR; the Volkswagen Phaeton ( below). then- chairman Ferdinand Piech as an S- Class and 7- Series rival when, frankly, no one that bought a Volkswagen particularly wanted an S- Class or 7- Series rival.

That’s not to say it didn’t feature an impressive feature set though; four- zone climate control, adaptive air suspension and the option of a massive W12 engine. It was also the first Volkswagen to feature radar cruise control. The car stayed in production for an impressive 14 years, although its improbable survival represents a long drawn- out corporate lesson in sticking to your knitting. Volkswagen excels at making other kinds of cars; with no successor announced for the nowdeparted Phaeton, perhaps the lesson has been learnt. As for secondhand examples, they’ll prove boring conversation starters in time. That’s if you can stomach the service bills on that early 21stcentury comfort tech.