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Volkswagen Reconsidering Scirocco and Phaeton for the U.S. Market

Earlier this month, Volkswagen announced that it’s going to expand its North American SUV lineup in order to catch up to GM and Toyota and triple its U.S. sales by 2018. However, the automaker also wants to boost its image, so it may bring back the Scirocco coupe and Phaeton sedan to the States.

In an interview in Washington, Jonathan Browning, head of Volkswagen’s U.S. operations, told Bloomberg News that the company is exploring the idea of selling the two models in the U.S. “We will reconsider bringing the Phaeton back to the U.S. in the next product cycle,” said Mr. Browning who added that no final decision has been made yet.

Volkswagen UK has dropped pricing details and specification for its facelifted 2011 Phaeton, which is available to order this week. British buyers have two engine options, a 3.0-liter V6 TDI diesel unit with 240-horsepower and a range-topping 6.0-liter W12 petrol unit churning out 450-horsepower.

Volkswagen will reportedly be bringing its extra-large people's car, the recently facelifted Phaeton, back to the US. Initially introduced to help VW compete with BMW, Mercedes and Lexus (isn't that what Audi is for?), it was pulled from shelves in 2006 due to dismal sales resulting from its very un-VW price point. The comeback is to assist in tripling VW AG's sales in the American market.

Volkswagen is giving it's slow-selling Phaeton flagship another chance at life with a mid-life facelift. Set to be revealed at this week's 2010 Beijing Motor Show, the updated Phaeton features a new look and technologies.

The cosmetic changes up front include a more chiseled design with new bi-xenon headlight units complete with LED running lights and a new grille with two pronounced horizontal bars.

Elsewhere, new front wings and a reprofiled bonnet are joined by a revised front bumper, complete with chrome strips and a set of LED foglights. At the rear end, changes are limited to the new light units and the restyled bumper. The new alloy wheel designs round off the exterior updates.

Some say that the reason why the Volkswagen Phaeton -one of the most underrated vehicles of our time- has by all accounts been a sales flop, is because of its nondescript styling and the non-premium badge. German tuning firm, Hofele-Design, believes it might address both problems with the introduction of the Mythos Royale. At the end of the day of course, it's just another tuning proposal with both cosmetic and performance modifications.

Hofele-Design starts by removing all "VW" and "Phaeton" badges and logos and replacing them with its own sets. Next, the luxury sedan gets a new fascia with a redesigned front bumper and reshaped bonnet that houses a different grille.

At the back, the German firm added a discreet boot lid spoiler and a new apron with integrated trapezoidal tailpipes.

A new two-tone paint job that is said to be sourced / inspired from Maybach and huge 20-inch alloy wheels are part of the treatment as well.

Inside, Hofele-Design has opted for a two-tone colour scheme with Bentley-style diamond-shape stitching for the door panels and seats. The Phaeton's steering wheel has also been covered in leather while there's also new wood trim.

The Mythos Royal is offered with the same engine line-up as the Phaeton, including the 280HP V6, 335HP V8 and 450HP W12 petrols as well as the 240HP V6 TDI turbo diesel.

For those that want more power, Hofele-Design says it can tweak all engine variants. For example, with the firm's power kit, the 3.0-liter V6 TDI delivers an output of 275HP and 560Nm or 413 lb-ft of peak torque.

There's also a suspension module that lowers the sedan's ride height by around 40mm.

Hofele-Design did not release pricing for the Mythos Royale.