Beijing 2016: Volkswagen’s Phideon is the rational Phaeton-lite

While the Phaeton was Ferdinand Piech’s fetishistic vanity project to prove to the world VW’s engineers could build the world’s finest luxury sedan, its indirect replacement – the Phideon – is rather more rational in its approach. It is based on the Group’s hugely flexible MLB2 platform, which also underpins the Audi A4 and Q7 and Bentley Bentayga and allow its impressively long-low proportions with decent dash-to-axle and well-controlled overhangs.

Its overall design theme is little different from a Passat’s but the more generous proportions make it appear far more impressive and it’s the perfect showcase of VW’s much-envied five-stage stamping process. Just take a look at the at the way the rear fender’s steel is so meticulously and dramatically shaped around the lamps.

Although smaller and far cheaper than the old Phaeton, it doesn’t feel too inferior from an exterior perspective. The only strange thing about the cars on display here are their ride heights, with their air suspension completely deflated.

The cost controls can be more clearly seen and felt inside with some materials and switchgear that simply wouldn’t make the grade in a European Polo, yet this is more than made up for by the contents of the rear cabin, which features the now-obligatory power seats, separated by a centre console controlling HVAC and seat controls. It’s a mistake to judge this car from the front seat as those paying the bills will be lounging back here.

It’s not the technical and engineering tour de force that the Phaeton was and, while that car drew many admirers for its total lack of compromise, it failed to attract very many buyers. This one promises to be rather more generous when it comes to filling VW’s coffers.