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2008 Volkswagen Passat R36 Sedan And Wagon

Volkswagen has announced the latest addition to its R series model line up – the Passat R36. The hi-po Passat joins the Touareg R50 and Golf R32 in the exclusive ‘R’ club.
The R series kicked-off in 2004 with the introduction of the R32 Golf, an ex


Volkswagen has announced the latest addition to its R series model line up – the Passat R36. The hi-po Passat joins the Touareg R50 and Golf R32 in the exclusive ‘R’ club.

The R series kicked-off in 2004 with the introduction of the R32 Golf, an exclusively equipped top-end Golf with a performance focus. The subsequent success of the R32 Golf, both locally and internationally, has led to Volkswagen’s expansion of the R series to incorporate more of the brand's models. The new Passat R36 has been created by Volkswagen Individual, the specialist team behind the production of unique Volkswagen models and is available in both sedan and wagon variants.

The Passat R36 is powered by a 3.6 litre six cylinder direct-injection petrol engine with 220kW and 350Nm, making this the most powerful Passat yet built and also the fastest vehicle in the R series. The feisty V6 is hooked up to Volkswagen’s six-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) and 4MOTION all wheel drive system.

A performance Passat may take a little getting used to for some, but the figures speak volumes about just what the Volkswagen Individual engineers have been able to achieve. The top speed of the sedan is electronically regulated at 250 km/h and in a straight line sprint, the R36 outstrips every other production Volkswagen in accelerating from 0-100 km/h: the sedan reaches the 100 km/h mark in 5.6 seconds (5.8 seconds for the wagon).

Visual differentiation is assured with the fitment of an R range bumper and a radiator grille-surround in matte chrome finish. Other R series exclusives are the dual fins of the upper radiator grille designed for an aluminium look and the radiator air inlets in a slatted look.

The rear of the R36 sedan features a newly-designed spoiler on the boot lid, while the Passat R36 wagon gains a new roof edge spoiler. Both variants are fitted with chrome dual exhaust pipes and18-inch “Omanyt” alloy wheels, colour coded wheel-arch extensions, darkened rear tail light clusters, body side lower sill extensions and bi-xenon headlights.

Volkswagen Individual was also responsible for the interior design.The R36’s instruments and middle console are finished in a dark brushed aluminium. The leather steering wheel features an R36 logo in the lower spokes and gear shift paddles as standard.

The R36 Passat is also fitted with sport seats, featuring electric 12-way adjustment, electro-pneumatic side bolsters and San Remo micro fibre/Vienna leather combination upholstery. R36 specific door sill trims, a new dashboard with white illumination and an aluminium look automatic transmission selector lever are standard R36 fare along with a six disc CD changer (with MP3 compatibility and 250W amplifier), and aluminium pedals with ‘R’ flags.

But wait, there’s more. R36 buyers will also enjoy rain-sensing windscreen wipers, an automatic dimming rear-view mirror and front and rear parking distance sensors.

Should the list of standard equipment not cover your needs there are some interesting optional features, including a Dynaudio premium 600W audio system with 10 channel amplifier and 10 speakers. Also available is an automatic tailgate (for wagon), electric glass sunroof (slide and tilt adjustable with sunblind), RNS510 satellite navigation system with high resolution touch screen display, and rear view camera plus with dynamic guidance lines (wagon).

Safety is well catered for with standard Anti-lock Brakes (ABS), Electronic Brake-Pressure Distribution (EBD), Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), Brake Assist and Electronic Stabilisation Program (ESP). Occupants are protected by a total of eight airbags, front, side (front and rear) as well as curtains.

Recommended Retail Pricing

Passat R36 Sedan 6 speed DSG - $64,990

Passat R36 Wagon 6 speed DSG - $66,990

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