The most powerful Volkswagen Passat ever produced has now gone on sale in the UK. Available in both saloon and estate bodystyles, the Passat R36 comes equipped with a naturally aspirated, 3.6-litre V6 engine that develops 296bhp and 258lb ft of torque.
Drive for the high-performance VW is channelled through a six-speed DSG gearbox; the 4motion four-wheel drive system diverts torque to either axle depending on the grip available.
VW is claiming a 0-62mph sprint time of 5.6sec for the Passat, which can continue to a restricted top speed of 155mph.
Styling tweaks, both inside and out, differentiate the R36 from its tame stablemates. It gets 18-inch alloy wheels with Volkswagen ‘R’ blue brake callpers and a lowered ride height (20mm to be exact). Other new styling cues include a new front bumper with three deep airdams and a chrome grille section featuring the R36 badge and bi-xenon headlamps.
At the rear the Passat is fitted with twin tailpipes, a subtle lip spoiler and yet another R36 badge.
Inside, drivers will find sports seats and a sporty steering wheel, which houses the paddle shifters for the DSG ‘box. VW has gone mad with the ‘R’ treatment though; R nomenclature sits on on everything from the recalibrated dials and sill plates to the the aluminium highlights on the dashboard.
Prices for new Passat R36 start at £30,990 for the saloon and £32,150 for the estate model.
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Re: Revealed: VW Passat R36
I was wondering when this car was going to appear. they seem to have had it in developement for ages. I drive a passat estate diesel, and they have to do something to the drive to make it worth it. But personally, i'd buy something else with that amount of cash
ps Nice wheels though
Re: Revealed: VW Passat R36
A few years ago I was in the market for a secondhand Passat estate and for no extra cost over a 2 litre bought the original two wheel drive VR6. Most disappointing car I have ever owned, with the top end performance advantage only of any use on the autobanh and a strange chassis setup that offered no encouragement to use the extra grip and braking available.
Will this R36 will offer a perspective owner any more? Perhaps the police could use them as patrol cars.
Re: Revealed: VW Passat R36
Like the W8 it will sell in tiny numbers in the UK, it might make more sense to get an R36 version of the Passat CC into the the market, at least it has looks to matche the performance