Volkswagen Phaeton EV to debut in 2020

As part of wide-ranging changes to its future strategy following its emissions scandal, Volkswagen has revealed that that it will launch an all-electric Phaeton flagship model.

According to VW insiders, the new luxury saloon which is expected to arrive by 2020 will share its platform architecture, drive system and battery technology with the upcoming Audi Q6 e-tron, as previewed by the e-tron quattro concept at the Frankfurt motor show earlier this year.

The e-tron quattro concept car has a total power output of 429bhp, while torque is rated at 81.57kgm. The concept car is powered by three electric motors, with one sending drive to the front wheels and two rear-mounted motors acting on the rear wheels.

The company says that the electric Phaeton will be “the flagship of the brand’s profile over the next decade”. It also added that the car will feature “pure electric drive with long-distance capability and next-generation connectivity and assistance systems”. The Phaeton is also expected to come with the latest in autonomous driving technology.

It was initially thought that the new Phaeton would be launched before 2020, however, Volkswagen Group boss Matthias Müller has since confirmed that the project will be delayed as the company looks to cut costs in the wake of the emissions scandal. Müller has also confirmed that any VW Group project that isn't deemed essential will be put on hold or cancelled completely, and the firm's commitment to the electric Phaeton cements its position as an essential product as VW seeks to compete with the Tesla Model S.

The next generation Volkswagen Golf, is also scheduled to launch next year.

VW is also known to be developing a next-generation modular electric toolkit in the meanwhile, known as MEB. The company says the MEB toolkit will allow for “particularly emotional vehicle concepts and will enable an all-electric range of 250-500km”. The toolkit, which will be used for both cars and light commercial vehicles, will allow all vehicle and body types to be developed with either plug-in hybrid or pure electric powertrains.