It would certainly round off the range for Volkswagen in Australia if they'd bring in the Phaeton. The luxury VW, which would be north of $100,000 Australian dollars isn't considered to be a contender for the Australian market.

Why? The economics just don't ad up apparently. Seems that the Phaeton uses exclusive panels, engines and gearboxes and would just not make sense.

There are any number of Volkswagen purists who would disagree. Whilst the Volkswagen CC (nee Passat) is a lovely car, it's no limousine. With the slow but sure demise of Holden Statesman and Ford Fairlane, the taxi and limo markets are crying out for a quality substitute that doesn't carry the 3 pointed star or the propeller logo.

2015 Volkswagen Phaeton to be lighter and more efficient - report

2011 Volkswagen Phaeton Facelift

Could use aluminium and magnesium

New details are starting to emerge about the next-generation Volkswagen Phaeton which could be launched as early as 2015.

According to Motor Trend, the model will retain its slightly odd position as a luxury car for people who don't want to show off. As one source noted, "Volkswagen doesn't change course between generations of a car. It's always easier to keep the customers you have than to lose them and go find new ones."

Additionally, the model is expected to be significantly lighter thanks to the extensive use of aluminium and magnesium. We can also expect smaller engines with forced induction and cylinder deactivation technology. There's also word of a hybrid and plug-in hybrid variant, but nothing is official as of yet.

Source: Motor Trend via Autoblog