Volkswagen is currently testing the new high-performance Passat R 36 at the Nürburgring in Germany. A new round of photos show both sedan and wagon variants being put through the paces.
The R36 has larger air intakes up front, large alloy wheels (painted black for disguise), and a small spoiler and two exhaust pipes at the back. Power is expected to come from a 280 or 300 horsepower V6 engine coupled with a DSG gearbox. Recent reports have indicated the car will arrive in spring 2007. Gallery after the jump…
New car price quote
Zero obligation price quote from a trusted local dealer.
10/24, 1:14 PM
posted by:
roadrage
sweet~
10/24, 1:22 PM
posted by:
savedsol
Wagon – sweet!
10/24, 1:51 PM
posted by:
Toy Yoda
300hp. Hehehe… Nice. Now, if it’s lighter than my BMW 6 series, which it wouldn’t be hard to do, I’m sure it will be faster. Hehehe, I can’t believe it. Awesome, can’t wait til it comes out.
10/24, 1:51 PM
posted by:
bepsf
Does anyone else think it looks lots better than the standard Passat if for no other reason than the Big Chrome Shield is gone?
10/24, 2:13 PM
posted by:
davebo
I’ve been waiting years for someone to make some sort of electric hybrid wagon so i can haul my gear around, but if this gets decent mileage with 280hp AND the dsg, i might reconsider.
10/24, 2:27 PM
posted by:
YourNameHere
ill take a wagon please. i have always been a big fan of the Audi wagon family.
10/24, 2:28 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
Toy Yoda: if they decide to lower the weight they’ll most definitely use aluminum, my friend. Audi has an extensive history with that particular metal and I’m sure its parent company Volkswagen will not hesitate to use it (unless they feel it’ll cannibalize sales of their expensive cousin).
10/24, 2:39 PM
posted by:
6ix
Wow, that black one looks awesome! Good, they put the DSG in there!
10/24, 2:40 PM
posted by:
AuDub
yes i agree bepsf.. that alone makes it a lot better.. but sadly, passat is still not for me. it’s too family-car-like in my opinion.
i’ve no doubt in its performance though, carrying the R badge.
10/24, 3:16 PM
posted by:
ehhh?
It better have atleast 300hp if not more because this will be one heavy car, and one very expensive one. A normal v6 passat with 4motion can hit the 40k mark. And as good as DSG i hope (without much faith) that they would put a 6 speed in anyways. Lots of chances to fail here, but I would love to see it succeed.
10/24, 3:35 PM
posted by:
InvisibleEcho
That’s actually worth looking into. I’m not a big fan of 2/3 door hatchbacks, so even a wagon-type Passat R36 is definitely interesting, although I’d rather take a sedan. Plus, you can’t beat that DSG, although I still do love the control you get over a manual. Hope it doesn’t get fat like the Jetta did last year.
10/24, 4:18 PM
posted by:
moogleii
I agree about the chrome shield. Glad it’s not present here.
10/24, 7:18 PM
posted by:
autonutt
The R36 is a much better idea for a top-of-the-line Passat than the old W8 was.. and kudos for the wagon version! Now I can’t wait for the inevitable R32 Jetta sedan and wagon
10/25, 1:01 AM
posted by:
A4
they ought to make it an R whatever with the W8 motor. That way there is actually a significant power boost over the 3.6 passat, just like the R32 has a huge jump from the Golf. Either way this thing will be absolutly badass, but this would be the right way to execute the W8 engine.
10/25, 1:14 AM
posted by:
SSTRFSTR
The W8 made only 270 hp and was a big, heavy engine that was a complete PITA to work on. It was a lemon and most VW techs are glad it’s gone for good.
10/25, 11:29 AM
posted by:
Renton
Very nice.
10/25, 6:27 PM
posted by:
obsessedwithautos
I’d never thought I’d say badass about a Passat, but looks like that changes with this model. Although I’d rather have the 6 speed manual because I’m a purist. Now VW should make 4Motion available so that there isn’t a huge amount of torque steer. And I’ll keep the black wheels.
10/25, 9:03 PM
posted by:
ironpony42
meh, it’s doomed. I don’t see this flyin off the lot when I can get my hands on so many other perfomance vehicles for a lot less $$$. The car has bland styling, and doesn’t “stir the soul” at all. VW should keep doing what it once did, economy cars for the masses, that’s what the company was all about. It should leave Audi to the performance end of things.
And HEY VW, WHERE MY DAMN RETRO VW BUS??? Where’s my modern Syncro Westfalia??? Drop the R#-crap and get to work!
Don’t get me wrong, I dig VW, and I dig sporty wagons. IPD here in Oregon makes some of the meanest Volvo Wagons in the world. I’d go that route before I messed with this abomination.