Most of us know that Volkswagen means People's Car. It was all Mr Hitler's idea back in the 1930s and he was influenced by the success of the Ford Model T in the US, particularly as it was the first mass production car. That was all of 70 years ago.
The People are more discerning now, more spoiled for choice when it comes to buying the Car. So, enter then the Phaeton, VW's luxury car. The new VW group boss, Dr Bernd Pischetsrieder, wants us to see it as a perfectly logical move: "The sole purpose of this car is to support Volkswagen's brand image. Its success is not determined by sales volume."
The Phaeton takes its name from the earliest days of coachbuilding - it means a light car with two seats, a hood and large spoked wheels. In Greek mythology, Phaeton was the progeny of the sun god Helios and he came to grief driving his father's chariot.
This luxury saloon is styled a bit like a Passat, but it's unlike anything VW has done before. Part of our driving itinerary in Germany last week included Phaeton's manufacturing base, a new transparent glass factory in Dresden.
The all-wheel-drive, four-door saloon offers a new level of refinement to VW buyers more used to the Golf. The "base" engine will be a 230 bhp, 3.2 litre V6 and the line-up also includes a 5.0 litre V10 diesel (yielding 310 bhp) and a 6.0 litre W12 with four banks of three cylinders and 420 bhp.
It's all gargantuan stuff.
We checked the rev counter before turning the key, making sure the engine wasn't running. It's just impossible to feel or hear the engine idling. Once the throttle is pressed, there's a different tune: the 12 cylinders on the flagship model roar back in magnificent response.
Here's an engine that will pick up 3.2 tons of car and hurl it towards the horizon at breakneck speed.
The car will go on sale here in April of next year but only through a handful of VW dealerships. All three versions will be marketed with the 3.2 litre V6 being the entry-level car at around €93,000. Competitors are seen as the Mercedes-Benz S320, the Lexus LS430, the BMW 735i and teh Jaguar 4.0 XJ8. Volkswagen is expected sales of between 20 and 30 cars in a full year.
The Phaeton looks attractive, compact and businesslike. The grille echoes VW's corporate grin, but the squared-off line of the rear-door windows gives it an old-fashioned, grown-up feel (and also aids access).
From the front, dark-wood veneers, soft-touch plastics and butterscotch leathers are tastefully mixed in a style to rival other manufacturers. The luxuries include a TV screen allowing you to deal with several functions, including variable damping and ride height, CD player, radio, graphic equaliser and satellite navigation.
An innovative air conditioning system allows occupants to set their own temperature level to within a maximum difference of four degrees.
To prevent draughts, there is a huge six-inch duct that forms the top of the dashboard, while air outlets are also located in the door pillars, beneath the seats and in the central tunnel.
Front-seat passengers are superbly cosseted, with armchair-like leather seats that rival Mercedes-Benz for comfort and electronic adjustment. The massive boot holds no fewer than four golf bags.
Rear seats are a trifle cramped, in part because of the heavy cant rail along the roof limiting headroom and in part because of 18-way adjustable front seats. A large centre console with individual air conditioning controls also cramps passengers sideways.
All four wheels are driven through a standard five-speed automatic transmission which has a brilliant manual override. If you stop changing gear manually, the system reverts to automatic after 30 seconds.
Traction and stability from the 4 Motion 4x4 arrangement is impressive and adjustable air suspension gave a brilliant ride without making handling too sloppy.
Our testing from Dresden to Berlin was all too brief. Predictably, the Phaeton is loaded with competence. So, who is going to buy this luxury people's car? Apparently, if there aren't enough people - or plutocrats - around to buy, VW will not be too worried. We will all be learning about the company's new brand image.