This can be a stunning machine – the large question is who’ll buy one. A lavish, lavishly-equipped car by having an excellent chassis along with a wonderful selection of engines (including an incredible W12 6.0 litre with 4Q0PS) the Phaeton’s only problem area is its badge; to h a Volkswagen.

Acceptable driving dynamics, an excellent ability to cross continents having to break into a sweat, along with a truly cosseting ride still is probably not sufficient to determine off such rivals since the Mercedes SL600 or even the Audi A8 – both have the distinct benefit of not appearing like a bloated Passat.

Ask the normal image-sensitive German executive which he’d prefer of the three and also the Volkswagen probably won’t top the list. Phaeton has been said to be the vanity project of the Volkswagen senior executive, so you shouldn’t be surprised when the car expires its life, not to be replaced- especially since Volkswagen Group owns the Bentley nameplate.