SLIDESHOW
Interesting four-wheeldrive saloons that few remember
Some saloons shout about their fourwheel-drive traction and performance, but others offer a more muted way to enjoy the all-weather benefitsof this set-up. Audi was the pioneer in this class, and many other manufacturers have since joinedin.
Here are some great four-wheeldrive saloons that you might well have forgotten about.
ALISDAIR SUTTIE
VolkswagenPhaeton
Born out of Volkswagen boss Ferdinand Piëch’s desire to build the ultimate luxury saloon, the Phaeton was a brilliant car in many ways. However, the VW badge couldn’t compete with rivals from sibling firm Audi, nor BMW, Jaguar, Lexus or Mercedes-Benz, so sales were always sluggish. Most were sold with the 4Motion system, whether customers chose the 3.0-litre V6 diesel, 3.6-litre V6, 4.2-litre V8 or 6.0-litre W12. Only the base 3.2-litre V6 made do with front-wheel drive. With used prices from as little as £3000, the Phaeton is a tempting way into a 4x4 limo today, especially when its underpinnings are the same as those used for the Bentley Continental GT. You will be driving one of the most over-engineered cars ever.