Fastest ever Volkswagen lands in New Zealand

The new Passat R36 is powered by a 220 kW (300 hp) 3.6 litre six cylinder direct injection petrol engine (3.6 FSI). Power transmission is handled by a direct shift gearbox (DSG) and permanent four-wheel drive (4Motion). The top speed of the Passat R36 is electronically regulated at 250kph. In terms of speed, the Passat R36 outstrips every other Volkswagen in accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h: the sedan reaches the 100-km/h mark in 5.6 seconds (5.8 seconds for the Variant). Performance enhancements are transmitted to the road courtesy of a 25mm sports suspension system.

The new Passat R36 was conceived by “Volkswagen Individual”, the specialist vehicles division of the global giant. Following the original Golf R32 and the recently launched Touareg R50, the Passat R36 will be the third series 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 2002, took off better than expected in every way; 14,000 cars were sold. In 2005 the second Golf R32, the Mark V version with 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. Now, the “R36” will show how sporty a Passat Sedan and a Passat Variant can really be.

Visually, a whole range of specific features shows the new Passat R36 to be the most dynamic model. These include an R-specific front bumper with grille in a matte chrome finish, including the dual fins of the upper radiator grille. The rear of the Passat R36 sedan features a newly designed bootlid spoiler; 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 are the chrome dual exhaust pipes, newly designed 18-inch “Omanyt” alloy wheels and body coloured wheel arch extensions. The signature blue painted brake callipers are another key feature.

Volkswagen Individual designed interior equipment especially for the sportiest Passat. The leather multifunction steering wheel in R design is especially slip-proof; it features an R36 logo in the lower spoke. 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 (including pneumatically adjustable side support), R36 door sill trims, new instrument lighting (white illumination) and an automatic transmission selector lever in aluminium look. Rear seat occupants are not forgotten with a sport seating system that includes seat heating.

The fastest ever production car from Volkswagen is now available in New Zealand. Standard specifications include brushed aluminium trim inserts, 8 airbags, bixenon headlights with active front lighting, keyless access and start and tyre pressure monitoring.

The Passat R36 Sedan has a RRP of $82,990 and Passat R36 Variant $85,990.

Dean Sheed, the Volkswagen General Manager for New Zealand, says that the Passat R36 has some great sports car DNA: “With icons such as Scirocco and Corrado, and of course the legendary Golf GTI and Polo GTI, Volkswagen has a proven history of producing successful sports cars. The first of the R-Series was of course, the Golf R32. In Mark V guise, the combination of a practical 5 door family hatch with sports car performance has proven to be well accepted by our customers. To date over 225 units have been delivered to customers here in New Zealand.”

On the Passat R36, Sheed commented: “The dynamic genes have been passed onto the Passat R36. The performance of a sports car has been moulded into the body of a functional Passat Sedan or Variant. True to Volkswagen’s outlook on sustainability, combined fuel consumption of 10.5L/100km and a CO2 output of 249g/km are particularly impressive considering the level of performance on offer.”