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These two will be followed by the most powerful passenger car diesel engine in the world - a 5.0 litre V10 TDI producing 313 bhp and 552 lb-ft of torque - as the third of a total of five engines. Volkswagen is also introducing a completely new six-speed automatic gearbox in the V10 TDI.

All versions of the new sedan feature a state-of-the-art 4-system pneumatic suspension with stepless mapped electronic damper regulation. This suspension will be combined with 4MOTION four-wheel drive, either as standard (W12, V10 TDI) or later on as an option with certain engines.

The doors, trunk kid and hood are aluminium. Using a system of laser-welded diecast aluminium, the doors have been manufactured to a high level of rigidity.

An inovative draft-free air conditioning system, called "4-Corner Climatronic", supplies indirect flows of air to defined zones of the interior via automatically opening and closing vents.

The interior design is characterised by a unique handcrafted feel. However, Volkswagen has avoided cluttering the interior with controls. According to Volkswagen, all technical equipment available to the driver and passengers remains logical, understandable, and intuitive.

As a result, the functions of the new standard infotainment centre with a seven inch 16:9 colour display in the centre console are simple to use. Depending on equipment specification, these include the audio system with six-disk CD changer and concert hall sound, navigation system, TV, on-board computer, telephone, and air conditioning.

The highest level of passive safety is built in as standard. This includes, for instance, xenon headlights with a completely new headlight washer system, a "coming home function" to illuminate the surrounding area using the headlights, rear lights, and two additional lights in the exterior mirrors, front airbags, side airbags in the front and rear, and window airbags.

The name of Volkswagen's new luxury class car will be announced at the opening ceremony of the Transparent Factory in Dresden towards the end of this year. Volkswagen is investing some 365 million marks (C$265 million) at this location. When production starts just over 800 people will be employed in Dresden to produce up to 100 cars per day.

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