"That's all Volks!"

At first glance on the road prices from 42,220 to 74,740 pounds seem a little salty for a Volkswagen saloon. But to dimiss the Volkswagen Phaeton as a bigger Passat would be a mistake. Sales success or not, it's a germanic statement of intent.

And when you consider that Caterham want you to part with a barely credible 37,000 pounds for the top of the range Seven, the Phaeton seems like the bargain of the century.

Low volume doesn't have to mean raiding the parts bin. As well as being a testbed for innovative technologies like the W16 engine configuration, the whole Phaeton production line is Volkswagen's corporate mission made flesh.

Cleaner than an operating theatre, more elegant than a Habitat cock ring, take a tour of this amazing factory here.