Geneva: VW Phideon

Designed specifically for China, the Phideon appears to take more than a bit of inspiration from the Phaeton.

Volkswagen has previewed a new luxury sedan, the Phideon, to be officially introduced this week in Geneva.

Designed specifically for China, the Phideon appears to take more than a bit of inspiration from the Phaeton. Both bear a clear resemblance to the Passat, but in a larger package with luxurious interiors that arguably seem a better fit for Audi rather than the VW Group's mainstream brand.

The Phideon's front and rear ends closely follow the brand's latest design language, blending cues from the latest Passat and the C Coupe GTE concept car unveiled last year in Shanghai.

"The new Phideon, with its equally powerful and charismatic front end, its flowing and yet precisely drawn lines and the exceedingly dynamic proportions, exudes premium style, while the Phideon's progressive design corresponds to the high level of its technical innovations," says VW design boss Klaus Bischoff.

The sedan measures 197 inches long, slightly shorter than both the short- and long-wheelbase Phaeton variants. VW suggests the car was designed to accommodate both driving enthusiasts and owners who prefer a chauffeured experience from the back seats.

The Phideon will be among VW Group's first vehicles to ride upon the new modular MLB platform. Highlight features include an air suspension system, head-up display technology and camera-based night vision. The range-topping model will be powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 with 300 PS (296 horsepower) and 347 lb-ft of torque, delivered to all four wheels via VW's 4Motion drivetrain. A front-wheel-drive package will also be available, equipped with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine, while a plug-in hybrid will follow.

VW promises the Phideon's design language will be found in the brand's future high-end sedans. The statement is likely a not-so-subtle hint at the next-generation Phaeton, which will share the same MLB platform when it arrives for 2019.