Volkswagen reveals China-specific Phideon sedan

Volkswagen Phideon is an all-new premium sedan for the Chinese market. It's also the first VW branded vehicle that is based on the group's MLB platform. 

Considering the Chinese car buyers’ obsession with long-wheelbase cars, Volkswagen has revealed an all-new China-specific sedan, dubbed the Phideon. The VW Phideon is set to make its debut at 2016 Geneva Motor Show, while it will be launched in China in the third quarter of the year.

Measuring in at over five meters in length, the Phideon is a shade shorter than the company’s full-size Phaeton limo. In its target market, the Phideon will be positioned above the Passat sedan – think of it as something similar to the Audi A6 in terms of length and size. In fact, the VW Phideon is based on the same MLB platform as the Audi A6, A7, A8 L etc. It's also the first ever Volkswagen vehicle to use this platform. Till now, only Audi and Porsche cars were built on the MLB platform.

While the Phideon is a China-only sedan at the moment, Volkswagen hints that its design, especially the front end, will influence future sedans from the company. Inside, the Phideon is claimed to be designed in a way that will appeal to keen drivers as well as rear-seat occupants. Among some highlights, the car comes with electrically adjustable seats, a wrap-around ambient light strip that can switch between three different colours, seat massager etc. It will also be the first Volkswagen to use a camera-based night vision system.

Powertrain options on the sedan include a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine, which comes with four-wheel drive as standard. The engine develops 295bhp and 440 Nm. The lower versions will come with a 2.0-litre inline-4 turbocharged petrol engine with front-wheel drive. Volkswagen is also planning to bring a plug-in hybrid version of the car at a later stage.

The Volkswagen Phideon will be produced and sold in China in conjunction with the company’s Chinese partner SAIC. As of now, the sedan will be exclusively built for China, albeit it may go on sale in other Asian countries in the coming time.

Also read: Volkswagen T-Cross Concept teased