Motoring Weekly

Unleashing powerful Passat R36

July 16 - 22, 2008
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Customers in the Middle East can now embrace the most powerful Passat in the Volkswagen series, the Passat R36, which has recently been unleashed on the streets around the region.

Under the hood, a 220 kw/300 hp 3.6 litre six cylinder direct injection petrol engine powers this high-class sporty sedan. With a top speed electronically regulated at 250 km/h and power transmission handled by a direct shift gearbox (DSG) with permanent four-wheel drive (4MOTION) as standard equipment, the Passat R36 is a unique demonstration of the hallmarks of German innovation and engineering.

In terms of speed, the Passat R36 outstrips every other Volkswagen, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.6 seconds (5.8 seconds for the Variant).

The new Passat R36 was conceived by Volkswagen Individual, the specialist team for very fast and/or special models. Following the Golf R32, the Passat R36 is the second 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 midsummer 2002, propelled to a flying start with 14,000 cars sold. On the foundation of this success the idea arose to develop a whole series of "R" models in the future.

In autumn 2005 the second Golf R32, 184 kw/250 hp, equipped with 4MOTION four-wheel drive as standard equipment was introduced. It was also a terrific seller and it continues to sell well today. The "R36" shows how sporty a Passat Sedan and a Passat Variant can be.

The rear of the Passat R36 sedan features a newly designed spoiler on the luggage compartment lid; in the case of the Passat Variant R36 a new roof edge spoiler provides additional downward force to the rear axle. Identical for both body versions: the chrome dual exhaust pipes. On the sides it is, among other things, the newly designed 18-inch "Omanyt" alloy wheels and wheel arch extensions in the car colour that were specially developed for the Passat R36.

Similar to the Golf R32, Volkswagen Individual designed the interior equipment especially for the sportiest Passat. The instruments and middle console are finished in "Engine Spin" dŽcor. The leather steering wheel in R design is especially slip-proof; it features an R36 logo in the lower spokes.

The pedals have a stainless steel finish. In addition, as standard equipment the Passat R36 will be delivered with a sport seating system together with electric 12-way adjustment, R36 door sill trims, new instrument lights (white illumination) and an automatic transmission selector lever in aluminum look.







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