R36 PASSAT -- VW getting serious

[Spec B Wgn]

Passat R36

The sportiest Passat of all time

Australian premiere of the Passat R36 at Brisbane International Motor Show 2008

The Passat R36 will be launched on the market as both a Sedan and a Wagon

In an Australian premiere Volkswagen is presenting the new Passat R36 at the 2008 Brisbane International Motor Show. A 220 kW / 300 hp 3.6 litre six cylinder direct injection petrol engine will propel the most powerful Passat of all time. As part of the standard equipment the power transmission is managed by a direct shift gearbox (DSG) and permanent four-wheel drive (4MOTION). The top speed of the sedan is an electronically regulated 250 km/h. In terms of speed, the Passat R36 outstrips every other Volkswagen in accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h: the Sedan reaches the 100 km/h mark in 5.6 seconds (5.8 seconds for the Wagon).

The new Passat R36 was created by Volkswagen Individual, the specialist team for very fast and/or special models. Following the Golf R32 and the Touareg R50, the Passat R36 will be the third series version to be debuting under the “R” sports label. The “R32” label already represents a top-selling model; the first Golf R32 (177 kW / 241 hp) based on the fourth Golf generation and introduced in the first quarter of 2004, took off better
than expected in every way; 14,000 cars were sold globally. On the foundation of this success the idea arose to develop a whole series of “R” models in the future. In 2006 the second generation Golf R32, 184 kW / 250 hp, was introduced. This was also a terrific seller and continues to sell well today. Visually, with a whole range of specific features the new Passat R36 shows that it is the most dynamic model of the globally successful series. Special features of the front section: an “R”-specific bumper and a radiator grille in matte chrome finish. Other “R” exclusives are the dual fins of the upper radiator grille designed in an aluminium look and the radiator air inlets in a slatted look.

The rear of the Passat R36 Sedan features a newly designed spoiler on the luggage compartment lid; in the case of the Passat R36 Wagon a new roof edge spoiler provides additional downward force to the rear axle. Identical for both body versions, chrome dual exhaust pipes. From the side it is, among other things, the recently designed 18-inch “Omanyt” alloy wheels and colour coded wheel arch extensions that were specially developed for the Passat R36.

A partial overview of the R36 exterior details:

- 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

Similar to the Golf R32, Volkswagen Individual designed the interior equipment especially for the Passat R36. The instruments and middle console are finished in a dark brushed aluminium décor. The leather steering wheel in “R” design is especially slip-proof; it features an R36 logo in the lower spokes and gear shift paddles as standard. In addition, as standard equipment , the Passat R36 will be delivered with a sport seating system together with electric 12-way adjustment and electro-pneumatic side bolsters, R36 door sill trims, new instrument lights (white illumination) and an automatic transmission selector lever in aluminium look.

A partial overview of the R36 interior details:

- 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 and “R36”
emblem and gear shift paddles
- San Remo micro fibre / Vienna leather combination upholstery

Models and Recommended Retail Pricing
- Passat R36 Sedan 6speed DSG $64,990
- Passat R36 Wagon 6speed DSG $66,990

[tangcla]

mmm... doesn't do it for me... Audi RS4 ftw! haha

[Spec B Wgn]

These might though

This one is actually by canadian tuning co. HPA motorsports. 429kw's or 575hp using twin Garret turbo's. Based on the Passat with the 3.2 V6, DSG and 4Motion.

[tangcla]

mmm...
*checks in pants*
no, no hard-on yet

[Spec B Wgn]

mmm...
*checks in pants*
no, no hard-on yet

you sure your not a girl ..

they are an awesome machine..

[chriskan]

the wagon looks good, but I dont know about that interior with all that faux CF looking thing.. it's a bit overdone..

2nd hand spec-b or MY07 STI wagon for the wifey when the XC70 come sup for replacement next year I think.

[coyote]

If only it had a proper gearbox!

[tangcla]

Chris, I don't think it's faux CF... I think it's stainless steel or aluminium. You can see the texture in the reflections.

... in any case, it looks like a nightmare to clean!

[SkoobyGT]

The grey pic above looks like a steroid fed liberty.

[Arith]

When my MY05 GT was due up for lease, I narrowed down the choice of new cars to another Liberty GT or the R36. However the R36 was delayed for like another year, so I dropped it. But I think it would have been a regretful buy anyway.

For even though it's got strong performance going for it, the negatives for me would be:

- Grille: Audi style front grille. Gez, at least TRY to be different
- Interior: Sorry Euro lovers, but European cars have such bleh interior styling
- Reliability: I know a mechanic who works on both Euro and Jap cars. The ratio of Euro cars that come in for repairs is much greater
- Price: Coming from America, where all European cars are half the price they are here, there's just no value for money to be had. Plus I think the RRP was proposed to be like $75k but it'll probably be much greater when released

[BlackGT]

The grey pic above looks like a steroid fed liberty.

Reminds me of a Civic sedan slash Audi A4

[coyote]

- Price: Coming from America, where all European cars are half the price they are here, there's just no value for money to be had. Plus I think the RRP was proposed to be like $75k but it'll probably be much greater when released

Price is already on the VW website and they are taking orders. For less money than a Tuned by STi Liberty, they are offering a far higher level of specification and performance. The only question is how it handles.

At $75k, price would be a negative compared to Subaru. But that's simply not the case, the VW is (on paper at least) better value.

I'll be testing one as soon as I can and if it handles okay, the Liberty will probably go.

[Kevlar GT]

I love it all except that damn euro audi front end.

[Spec B Wgn]

Plus I think the RRP was proposed to be like $75k but it'll probably be much greater when released

Models and Recommended Retail Pricing
- Passat R36 Sedan 6speed DSG $64,990
- Passat R36 Wagon 6speed DSG $66,990

[Spec B Wgn]

If only it had a proper gearbox!

the DSG is state of the art...