After a quick preview at the Wolfsburg/Essen motor show last fall, VW is introducing the production version of the 2007 Volkswagen Passat R36. Available as the R36 sedan and R36 Variant (that means "wagon" in VW speak), the R36 is to the Passat what the delicious R32 is to the Golf. In other words, it has a pumped-up V-6 engine (in this case, a 300-hp, 3.6-liter mill with direct injection) and 4MOTION all-wheel drive. Power is transferred to the wheels via VW AG’s twin-clutch, six-speed, sequential-manual Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG). But unlike the R32, which made its U.S. debut at the 2007 Chicago show, the 2007 Volkswagen Passat R36 will be kept out of our paws unless we fly to Europe and rent one for a seriously quick blast around the Continent.
How quick? Well, at an estimated 5.6 seconds to 60 mph, the 2007 Volkswagen Passat R36 sedan could be the quickest VW ever, with the 2007 Volkswagen Passat R36 wagon not far behind at 5.8 ticks of the stopwatch. Why is it quicker than the similarly powered Volkswagen Passat 3.6 we get here in the U.S.? A 20-hp boost can’t hurt, but most of the credit probably goes to the DSG; it doesn’t sap power like the conventional fluid-coupled automatic does in the regular Passat.
As with most fast German cars, top speed for the 2007 Volkswagen Passat R36 models is limited to
250 km/h, or 155 mph. Suspension tweaks and sexy 10-spoke, 18-inch wheels with aggressive rubber at all four corners may add some much-needed sharpness to the heavy Passat’s handling characteristics.
Sharpness also characterizes the 2007 Volkswagen Passat R36’s appearance: exterior modifications include a matte-chrome grille surround and a deeper front air dam with Audi R8-like grille strakes. The R36’s body sides feature sculpted sill extensions, and the rear end wears a chunky apron with two chrome exhaust tips that could have started life holding a pint or so of
Krombacher. Blue painted brake calipers, “tainted” LED taillights, and slightly flared fenders round out the exterior changes. As with the R32, a Pearl Blue paint job makes it to the 2007 Volkswagen Passat R36.
Inside, patterned metal trim rings the passenger compartment. The driver faces slick, white-lit gauges while doing his dirty work by way of a heavily sculpted steering wheel and fancy metal pedals perforated with the stylized "R" logo. The four outboard occupants sit on heated leather
seats, the front sport chairs being unique to the R.
The 2007 Volkswagen Passat R36 goes on sale in Europe during the second quarter of 2007.
