Performance Review: Volkswagen-VW Phaeton 6.0 W12 - [2005]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Volkswagen-VW Phaeton Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Volkswagen-VW Phaeton 6.0 W12 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2005. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2006 Caparo T1 2.4 V8 and the 2005 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16.This particular Volkswagen-VW Phaeton has a 5998cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a W formation.

Alternative Petrol W12's includes the 2017 Bentley Continental Supersports 6.0 W12 Bi Turbo

The Phaeton shares its Petrol W12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2017 Bentley Continental Supersports 6.0 W12 Bi Turbo and the 2017 Bentley Continental GT 6.0 W12 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Phaeton's All Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 2468 kgs (5441 lbs) this makes the Volkswagen-VW Phaeton 6.0 W12 in the same weight category as the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp or the give or take 50kg.

The Volkswagen-VW Phaeton shares the same bhp with the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (395 bhp)

In terms of power the 5998cc 48V W12 engine produces 420 bhp (313 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (395 bhp) or the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (395 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated W12 throws out 406 lb-ft (550.4 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo (429 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Volkswagen-VW Phaeton you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1960 Chevrolet Impala 348 Hardtop (195.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Volkswagen-VW Phaeton.

The Volkswagen-VW Phaeton has a Power to weight ratio of 170.1 bhp per ton and 164.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2005 Phaeton competing with the 1960 Chevrolet Impala 348 Hardtop (195.1 bhp per ton) or the 2018 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy EDC (194.9 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Volkswagen-VW Phaeton generating around 164.5 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2008 Aston-Martin Vantage V8 N400 (189.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 1995 Subaru Impreza WRX STI V2 - Classic JDM (189.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.2 secs, this made the Volkswagen-VW Phaeton 6.0 W12 as fast as the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (6.00 secs) the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT 3.6 V6 AWD (6.00 secs) the 2017 Toyota Century 5.0 V8 (6.00 secs) the or the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 265 DSG (6.00 secs). This Volkswagen-VW Phaeton 6.0 W12 is also faster than the 2017 Maserati Ghibli 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.10 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N 2.0 Turbo (6.10 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 SDV6 300 (6.10 secs) the and the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (6.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Phaeton and the 2007 BMW 1 Series 135i 2d Coupe M-Sport

When talking about the performance of the Volkswagen-VW Phaeton on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.12 secs @ 96.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2007 BMW 1 Series 135i 2d Coupe M-Sport (14.05 secs), the 1968 Jensen Interceptor FF 6.3L V8 (14.05 secs), and the 1969 Bristol 411 6.3 V8 (14.05 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2005 version of the Volkswagen-VW Phaeton 6.0 W12 has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2005 Phaeton equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2005 Volkswagen-VW Phaeton 6.0 W12 then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2005 Phaeton Rivals List.

A Brief History of Volkswagen-VW

Car Comparison