First look: VW stretches Phaeton for Dubai

VOLKSWAGEN'S on-again, off-again Phaeton luxury sedan has received yet another stretch - this time as a one-off for the limousine-crazy Dubai motor show.

Revealed last week at the Middle East's premier motor show, the Phaeton Lounge show car is a 6800mm-long version of long-wheelbase Phaeton launched in Europe in late 2003 - itself a stretched version of VW's original Phaeton released in overseas markets in early 2002.

Created from three Phaeton bodies, the Lounge was lengthened by 1780mm and is powered by a 311kW 6.0-litre W12 engine that capable of propelling the uber-limo to an electronically-limited top speed of 180km/h.

Inside there are four seats with individual climate-controls and between the rear seats there's a fridge and wine glasses, alongside DVD players with 17-inch screens and internet capability.

Given the long-wheelbase 4.2-litre V8 version of Volkswagen's first luxury limousine was first due on sale in Australia in late 2003, then early 2004, then again in 2005 (it's local availability is still unclear), the chances of seeing a Phaeton Lounge on Aussie roads are slim - even if it did enter production.