The Short Version: Volkswagen has announced another addition to the "R" lineup with a 300hp version of the Passat sedan and wagon called the R36.

Our take: Volkswagen started their "R" line of cars with their limited edition Golf IV R32 and ended up selling over 14,000 worldwide. Volkswagen Individual has now added to the "R" line with a new R36 Passat sedan and wagon. Volkswagen starts with a 4motion 3.6l Passat and bumps the power to 300hp, adds 18" wheels, lower and stiffer suspension, an all-new body kit with front and rear valances and side skirts, new sport seats with deeper bolsters covered in Alcantara, new turned aluminum dash trim, dual chrome tip exhaust and more.

For the German market which only gets the 250hp 3.2l VR6 version of the Passat, this is a significant increase in power. However the U.S. market already gets the 3.6l with 280hp, so the additional 20hp while nice, is much less of a bump. Volkswagen claims the R36 scoots from 0-62 mph in 5.6 seconds which is fairly decent for the portly all-wheel-drive sedan.

Overall we find it refreshing to see VW building more "R" model-line cars and the R36 is a nice addition. While the late-70's Trans Am interior (maybe a screaming chicken sticker for the hood?) and wild body kit might be a bit over the top for some, we worry most about the price tag on this sucker given that a 4motion Passat V6 already pushes $37k without all the go-fast goodies. We aren't worrying too much though as there are currently no plans to bring the R36 to the U.S. market which is a shame as we always like a few roudy ones in the group. This could change according to VWoA so throw us some feedback on what you think and we'll pass it along to our friends at VW.

GALLERY

90 Mercury Topaz

I like the idea of a R36 but the boy-racer looks undermine the entire thing in my mind. This should be a BMW 5-series killer. It may be in terms of performance but it shouldn't look like a Pontiac Bonneville.

Cheers

The G60 Project

Anyway, great to see they are still working on it..

But for US Market.. Bring it as a Jetta!!! If the 3.6 doesn't fit, R32 Jetta w/ the wick turned up to 275-280 on the 3.2 from the factory...

For me, I'll hold on the the MkIV .:R and keep adding stuff, waiting on the Scirocco!!

agreed

ÜBERDUBS_indianapolis

The Passat R36 Wagon would need to be a few grand less than the Volvo V70R.

The body kit and overall package look great - 10X better than the body-and-gray-clad kit intro'd in North America recently.

Holding out for Tiguan 4MOTION TDI 6MT!

I agree that the price tag is pretty spicy. But i think for VW not to bring it here would be somewhat, for lack of better word, stupid. This to me is VERY similar to how bad I wanted a GTI with a TSI motor, but to no avail I cant have my 170 hp 1.4L TSI motor unless I move to Europe . I, like my Papa, want a VW that we cant have unless we're in Europe . He wants a Passat Wagon TDI 4motion. I, I want..... several things ...

Even though we all knew the next .:R was called the .:R36, I will admit that I didnt anticipate, or even remotely contemplate it to be a TAP A$$

It looks GREAT but like everyones thinking, its a little TOO pricy. Bring em over here and we'll see if they're worth it

As a side note to VW: Keep doing a great job with the .:R line. However, while I am VERY excited to see the next .:R, I prey for the good of the line to see a Jetta. I'm highly disappointed that we Americans cant have a 4motion Jetta. I see TONS and TONS of mk4 Jetta's and I'm seeing LOTS of mk5's. I think VWoA needs to have plans for a 4motion Jetta. They are missing a HUGE nitch with the lack of such a Jetta.

EDIT: relized the 1.4 is petrol not diesel

Modified by MSGTYetti at 4:48 PM 11-15-2006

New ride: 99 Audi A4 1.8T quattro

VW please please keep developing R line models.

07 GTI

Air Bags - Suspension - High Performance Parts.
Street Scene On & Off Road Performance

"RACING IMPROVES THE BREED"

West Indian Crew

I didn't find in the article if it came with DSG or not. If it does, I'd be all over it. Especially the wagon/avant. The body kit already seems aggressive enough. No need to put an aftermarket one on. In fact, I noticed the car looked a bit weird stock. I couldn't tell what it was at first. Then I noticed the stock wheels need to be replaced with some aggressive aftermarket shoes. That should finish off the cars stance.

VWoA......you get the wife, 2 sons, and my stamp of approval.

but needs more power.

GLS_VR6 » I guess the E90 turned out to be a dissapointment to be, largely because I could see how better the E46 was

vwgilly » -Texas is not the South.

Never liked this gen of passat anyway but we already have most of the speed with more subtlety in the 3.6 version.

But yes the wheels are nice.

Modified by jayparry at 1:27 PM 11-15-2006

Oo \xxVxx/ oO
°___\_W_/___°

Pure sexy! VWoA, don't bring this to the states because I'll have to trade in my Jetta Wagon and sell my house I just bought just to afford to buy one which will result in a divorce and require me to live out of the car just to afford the payments. Then again, I think I could handle living out of that car.

Modified by vwsr2cool at 4:22 PM 11-15-2006

"I drive a wagon... even if you outrun me, can you brag about it?"

E-mail | For Sale!

Here is my autobuyer profile:

1) 37 year old professional.

2) Post Graduate level education

3) Married

4) home owner

5) Parent

6) dog owner

O.K. So i'm firmly in the passat demographic but:

7)drive a modified new beetle turbo (paid for)

8) dirve a modified sport bike in the summer

9) ski and MTn bike

10) ride a big KTM dirtbike

11) like to go fast!

12) have tattoos

13)drink beer

14) live where it regularly snows 200-300 inches per year.

O.K. These traits put me into and 'R-36' all wheel drive passat.

Problem?

1) too financially astute to go in debt for a $40K car

2) too poor to buy one out right (which would also be an unwise use of money).

3) roads are a bit too "un-improved" around here for such a beauty. I drive an 88 Nissan 4x4 for winter and bad road machine)

So yeah... I guess I'm out

I love the r36 wagon.. If I had lots of money I would probably buy one for my familty mobile.

Most people with that money would buy an audi or BMW or the like.

If it was priced competitively to a Subaru (maybe a hair under) and there was availablity I think the r-36 could steel alot of Subie's educated, sporty family oriented market share!

P.S.

Furthermore, I would be way to anal about this car, and fearful of hurting my beloved wagon, to explore any useful purpose for this machine. Maybe cash has someting to do with that too. If I had enough $, I mean can you imagine me drifting on dirt road curves, with 2 Mtn bikes on the top, the wife, kids, and the St. Bernard in the hatch!!!


Modified by slugII at 9:34 PM 11-15-2006

2006 Audi A3 3.2Q

Go SOX!!!

Like the body kit, but should offer some different colors.

Bring the car to the states, refine the interior a bit more to appeal to more adult tastes, and give us a MSRP of 40 to 42K...then I will wait for one to come off a 2 or 3 year lease, and be a happy camper.

Cheers!
Scott

Red Jett

Modified by victorhfranco at 2:18 PM 11-15-2006

Modified by victorhfranco at 10:12 AM 11-16-2006

Victor H. Franco