Tuesday 21st November 2006

VW unveils fastest Passat ever

4WD hotshot set to thrash upmarket Audi?

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Volkswagen is set to release its most potent ‘R’ model yet – the four-wheel-drive Passat R36. Joining the Golf R32 and only the second model in the Volkswagen line-up to carry the ‘R’ badge the new car will be not only the fastest Passat but also the fastest estate car Volkswagen has ever produced.

The basis for the R36 is a new 3.6-litre FSI V6 engine developing 296bhp. It’s mated to VW's six-speed DSG gearbox channelling drive through all four wheels. At each corner are revised springs and dampers linked to uprated brake discs and callipers.

VW claims a 0 to 62 mph time of 5.6 seconds for the saloon, while the estate version, also fitted with 4MOTION all-wheel drive, returns a time of 5.8 seconds. Both are electronically limited to maximum of 155 mph.

Clothing the mechanical changes is a bespoke bodykit which at the front incorporates a trio of deep airdams drawing a family resemblance with the Golf R32. Deep sideskirts and chrome highlights are framed by unique 18-inch wheels wrapped in 235/40 R18 tyres. At the rear, a deeper bumper houses a pair of chrome-tipped tailpipes and revised light lenses. The estate version features a discreet spoiler on the trailing edge of the rear window.

The front seats are sculpted and bear the R36 logo. The dashboard is finished in brushed aluminium panels set into which are a set of unique dials joined by a sports steering wheel and polished pedals.

Equipment levels are high with ABS, ESP, xenon headlights, 2Zone electronic climate control, a heated windscreen and seats, six airbags and a radio/CD player.

The Passat R36 makes its public debut at the Essen Motorshow on November 30th. Prices will be announced closer to the UK launch in 2007, according to VW. However, since the current top-end 3.2 SEL FSI V6 costs £25,860, you might expect the R32 to come in under £30,000.

Which means the R36 could give the 344bhp 4.1-litre V8-powered Audi S4, which costs £37,160, a run for its money. Although its about 50bhp down, the acceleration figures are identical. The contest between warring factions in the VW stable is certainly delivering results on the road.

[bennno]

its not a question of how fast that goes, its more how fast it would depreciate

bennno

[macg]

Not entirely sure about that.

Does anyone have any updated information on the Golf R36? A dealer recently told me that they have just been advised it is coming (unusual for them to admit such a thing) but they could not tell me whether this would be a last hurrah for the Mark 5 Golf or a Mark 6 vehicle.

[Dino D]

You mean like the W8 Passat. They can be had for £7k now around 40k miles on the clock!

This R36 looks like a better attempt though. A nice sort of RS4 for less wheel heeleed maybe?

[ehyouwhat]

"However, since the current top-end 3.2 SEL FSI V6 costs £25,860, you might expect the R32 to come in under £30,000."

I guess they mean the R36 here rather than the R32?

Still a nice machine though, and sure to be a fantastic used bargain in three or four years time!

[Andrew D]

Nice car, good value, it'll be a bargain with 10k on the clock, although I feel that 5.8 to sixty is a little optimistic for a compact executive with less than 300bhp.

But who cares, what we really need to know is when the Fox GTi is coming out!!

[tvrforever]

sounds like an interesting replacement for my A6 Avant Quattro some time next year...

[thirsty]

bennno said:

its not a question of how fast that goes, its more how fast it would depreciate

bennno

Who cares if it depreciates? I have a 2006 3.2 4 motion estate with 260 bhp, and six speed tiptronic. It's a company lease car, that I chose because the A4 Quatro estate was too small. It may look like an old geezer car, but it will go like mad.

Sadly, I'm still looking for a fun car here in Switzerland to replace my TVR. But what's the use, you can't drive over 50kph here anyway .....

[tewkesbury]

I think you mean 50 mph, i.e. 80 kph.....I also live in Switzerland, and have a lot of fun on the beautiful and empty road in my Elise and Impreza.

[collateral]

Can't pretend I don't smell a Phaeton on this one...

R32 does well because there isn't really anything else in the VAG range (4wd non-turbo 6cyl, Golf chassis).

Audi has made a name for itself over many years making hot estates, so I really don't see who's going to want this.

[tastyturbo]

I too smell a bit of a w8 passat here...... however, the old Passat chassis could never handle to power and torque of the w8. The new Passat however handles like a dream.

[bennno]

thirsty said:

bennno said:

its not a question of how fast that goes, its more how fast it would depreciate

bennno

Who cares if it depreciates? I have a 2006 3.2 4 motion estate with 260 bhp, and six speed tiptronic. It's a company lease car, that I chose because the A4 Quatro estate was too small. It may look like an old geezer car, but it will go like mad.

Sadly, I'm still looking for a fun car here in Switzerland to replace my TVR. But what's the use, you can't drive over 50kph here anyway .....

'company' 'lease' and 'car' are the critical words from your contribution.

clue, thats why you dont care if it depreciates.

bennno

[arcbeer]

I was shopping around for a 4.0 W8 for a while. The few that are out there didn't seem to be selling (kept seeing the same ones week in week out in autotrader) and had depreciated a lot from the original asking price. I expect this will go down the same route.

[FestivAli]

These cars are silly. Europe should do affordable performance sedans properly. Here in Australia for less cash you could get a Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo, which has 330+bhp (245kw) an arguably better autobox (the 6spd ZF unit found in Bentleys, Jags, BMWs etc) and will seat 5 people better. It looks a lot better as well, although some people may like the challenging design of the Passat I suppose. For less money you're only conceding the lack of a wagon variant and 4WD, which is only used by VW to counter understeer problems (Sorry, I'm an ignorant antipodian). I don't know, the thing is we'll get that here, and the two types of people who'd otherwise buy it will either A) find it too expensive and buy a better value Ford or Holden or HSV or B) Be able to afford an A4 V6 quattro anyway. This is a stupid car.

Ali.

[Dino D]

tastyturbo said:

I too smell a bit of a w8 passat here...... however, the old Passat chassis could never handle to power and torque of the w8. The new Passat however handles like a dream.

Good point. I considered a w8 before buting my 330i. Although the w8 was so much chepaer, the handling was rubbish.

If this new one cuts the mustard then it might find a stronger following. Also, this new one looks a bit more sporting and has an interior that makes it stand out from the range. Its just that the name 'passat' (or passout) and performance don't gel together.

But Skoda have pulled it off with the Octavia so maybe the Passout will too.

[alfaspiderman2]

I don't agree that it's a stupid car.

The R36 will be bigger, faster and cheaper than a 3.2 A4 Avant.

Also, it'll look better and be easily distinguishable...unlike the Audi which looks identical to any other 1.9 TDi Sportline model

I think it'll be on my shopping list next year.

[Dino D]

FestivAli said:

Stuff about fast Fords and Holdens that look dull and are rather agricultural.

Have you ever thought that Europe doesn't want the Aussie Ford/Holden. I'm not saying they are crap cars but they certainly don't have the level of sophistication and quality of the new Passat.

The Aussies buy them because its what they can afford. If imported cars weren't taxed so much you'd see loads more European cars on your roads.

[hoonfest]

For that cash I think I would still plumb for the Audi RS6 for an estate. 480 BHP

Not brand new obviously but 2002, less than 40K, not a bad price for a Porsche slayer

[rlw]

It would make more sense IMHO not to compete directly with AUDI but to make this a diesel instead, thereby offering another choice.

Or am I just being silly.

[pentoman]

Dino D said:

You mean like the W8 Passat. They can be had for £7k now around 40k miles on the clock!

Really?? Maybe at a dodgy auction?
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/

[Dino D]

pentoman said:

Dino D said:

You mean like the W8 Passat. They can be had for £7k now around 40k miles on the clock!

Really?? Maybe at a dodgy auction?
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/

Honest Guv. I did the same search last week when someone asked about a fast towcar and came up with one for 7k.