Volkswagen Passat R36: Flagship Performance

Motoring Channel Staff - 4/February/2008

Brisbane, Australia — Volkswagen premiered one of the fastest vehicles in its arsenal at the 2008 Brisbane International Motor Show, the Passat R36.

Joining the Volkswagen Golf R32 and the upcoming Touareg R50, the new Passat R36 will be the third high performance 'R' model.

And it's not slow. Featuring an AWD setup, the mid-sized German sports sedan is able to accelerate from zero to 100km/h in just 5.6 seconds, on par with HSV's performance sedans.

Fitted as standard with a 6-speed direct shift gearbox (DSG) - the most powerful engine thus far to use the twin-clutch DSG - the Passat R36 will be available in Australia in both wagon and sedan variants. Pricing is as follows:

Passat R36 Sedan: $64,990
Passat R36 Wagon: $66,990

We spoke to Volkswagen about the launch date for the new model in Australia, and though nothing is in concrete just yet, the company's spokeswoman said, "Looks like it's going to be third quarter 2008."

The R36 model will be joined in late '08/early '09 by the new Passat CC, a 4-door coupe version of the Passat, further increasing the mid-sized vehicles range.

Powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine which gains additional power and response from directly injected petrol, it outputs 220kW (300hp) which is enough to allow a top speed of 250km/h (electronically limited).

While the sedan slams the zero to 100km/h dash in 5.6 seconds, the wagon takes 5.8 seconds, but affords more boot space.

The chassis has also been tweaked, and as the Editor put it back in late 2006, it gets "bigger brakes, with larger discs and calipers making the grade, while other chassis tweaks have been made to the suspension rig, including revised damping and spring rates for a sportier ride and more grip during 'spirited' driving adventures."

As well as the powerful V6 engine, 6-speed DSG and AWD '4Motion' system, the Volkswagen Passat R36 also gets a range of exterior upgrades to differentiate from the normal models:

• Chrome radiator grille highlights

• Front and rear bumpers in “R” sports design

• Body side lower sill extension

• Wheel arch extensions

• Rear boot lid or roof spoiler

• Dual chrome exhaust tailpipes

• R36 badges on front and rear

• Darkened rear tail light clusters

• Bi-xenon headlights

• 18-inch “Omanyt” alloy wheels with 235/40 R18 tyres

It also gets a revamped interior, with sports seats that "look like they've come straight out of a 1980s Lamborghini, with ribbed central cushions and stylised triangular side bolsters," according to Mr Torr, Editor of the Motoring Channel.

The list of upgraded interior features is as follows:

• 8-channel 250W amplifier with 10 speakers

• Dark brushed aluminium inserts in dashboard and centre console

• Aluminium accelerator and brake pedals with 'R' flags

• Aluminium door fill inlays with R36 emblem in the front

• Sports leather steering wheel with aluminium inserts 

• 'R36' emblem and gear shift paddles

• San Remo micro fibre/Vienna leather combination upholstery

Set for a late March entry into the Australian market, the Volkswagen Passat R36 will be priced from $64,990.

Related Articles:
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- Volkswagen Eos (Road Test)
- Volkswagen Touareg R50 (2007)
- Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion (2008)
- Volkswagen Golf GT - TSI (Road Test)
- Volkswagen Tiguan Compact AWD
- Volkswagen Golf R32 (Road Test)
- Volkswagen Golf GTI (Road Test)
- Volkswagen Golf RaVe 270 Concept (2007)
- Volkswagen Passat R36
- Volkswagen Polo TDI (Road Test)
- Volkswagen Golf GTI W12 (Concept)
- Volkswagen Passat V6 (Road Test)
- Volkswagen Golf R GTI (Concept)