vw phaeton exclusive

2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Volkswagen Phaeton Exclusive

If you're in the market for a top-of-the-line luxury sedan, chances are you'll be looking at the likes of Lexus, BMW, Audi and Mercedes. Maybe Jaguar or Maserati, if you're looking for something with a little more flair. But Volkswagen? That's the problem the German auto giant encountered with the Phaeton, a luxurious limousine positioned against its own sister company's Audi A8, but with a less prestigious badge and a more attractive price to compensate.

The Phaeton was, and remains, a flawless piece of engineering – sharing its platform with the Bentley Continental, for crying out loud – but the "people's car" badge didn't do it any favors, and the car was eventually pulled out of the American market. It's still sold overseas, and is due for a complete overhaul by 2011, but for those faithful customers overseas, VW unveiled the new customizable Phaeton Exclusive edition at the Frankfurt auto show, displayed with one of the deepest, blackest paint jobs we've ever seen. Just don't mistake it for an Audi.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Volkswagen Phaeton Exclusive