The successor to the ill-fated Phaeton has officially debuted at the Beijing Auto Show with minor styling and content upgrades.
Built by the SAIC-VW joint venture, the
Phideon (Hui Ang by its Chinese name) gains an updated face featuring the
first-ever illuminated logo on a VW production car. Also new is a light strip that
unites the logo with the headlights. The front bumper has been revised too with
a horizontal chrome trim in the lower grille connecting the double C-shaped
trim around the fog lamps. Also now is the high-gloss black contour trim.
Seen from the side, the 2021 VW Phideon
only reveals new alloy wheels, while at the back the LED taillights gain
dynamic indicators and a new signature. Last but not least, the big sedan
adopts the new VW logo and a new font for the Phideon lettering on the boot
lid.
Inside, Volkswagen has added new features
including a 9.2-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, head-up display,
an infrared night vision imaging system, a rear car refrigerator, and a
Dynaudio sound system. Styling-wise, the cabin gains high-gloss black trim and
chrome trim. Also new for the 2021 model year is the optional adaptive air
suspension which allows the driver to adjust both the ride height and the
hardness of the damping.
When it comes to engines, customers no
longer have the option of the 3.0-liter V6 AWD powertrain or the 2.0-liter
plug-in hybrid. As a result, the 2.0-liter TSI four-cylinder gasoline engine
rated at 224 PS and 350 Nm of torque remains the only
choice. It’s hooked to a seven-speed DSG driving the front wheels.
SAIC-VW will launch the 2021 Phideon on
the Chinese market in October.
