The orders book for the new model of VW Phaeton super saloon is now open in the UK, as the company confirms its MSRP. 2011 VW Phaeton starts from £46,195 for the V6 diesel model, and while there’s no V8 option available, you can have it with the superb 6.0 liter W12 engine, which is basically the same engine that powers the Bentley Continental GT. The W12 model starts from £78,685.

Those prices might seem a bit high for a Volkswagen, but trust me, if you can line with the way it looks and with its VW badge, the Phaeton is by far the best luxury saloon you can buy today. Not just in terms of equipments and features, the Phaeton is one of the best engineered cars of all time and it has quality that cannot be matched by none of the rivals.

The new-look Phaeton comes with bi-xenon headlight units with LED running lights which frame a more imposing front grille above a redesigned front bumper with integrated LED fog lights.  Newly designed rear light units sit above a revised bumper, while new alloy wheel designs complete the exterior changes.

Inside the cabin you get a new multifunction steering wheel design and full colour display within the instrument cluster.  The RNS 810 satellite navigation system is fitted as standard which, for the first in a Volkswagen, can be chosen with optional Google Maps.  Other entertainment options include the powerful 1,000-watt Dynaudio soundpack, which includes a 12 channel digital amplifier and 12 speakers.

Standard safety and security equipment include 4MOTION four-wheel drive, eight airbags and laminated glass.  Other standard equipment includes Continuous Damping Control (CDC) adjustable air suspension, leather upholstery, 18-way adjustable electric seats and one of the most advanced air conditioning systems in the world.

Phaeton model line-up and pricing