“The
new four-wheel drive Passat
R36 adds sizzling pace to the
thoroughly capable and trustworthy
Volkswagen Passat. Available in
both saloon and estate variants, it
offers genuine high-performance —
at not-so-high prices...”
JUST AS AUDI HAS ITS 'S' AND QUATTRO SPORTS MODELS, BMW its 'M'
versions and Mercedes Benz their AMG variants, VW has 'RS' derivatives
— and the latest are the R36 Passat saloon and estate, priced at £31,015
and £32,175 respectively.
Not only did VW need to add some performance 'spice' to its fairly staid Passat
range but they also needed to have high-performance 'halo' models in the range
available to existing customers. This stops buyers switching brands to Audi,
BMW and Merc and also helps attract new customers moving down from even more
high-cost 'performance' brands.
The Passat R36 is not likely to be a big seller; but then you wouldn't expect
it to be. Only 250 units will come to the UK in a full year, and VW expects
60 per cent of those to be the estate version.
The Passat R36, incidentally, is the third 'R' model in the VW passenger car
range, joining the Golf R32 and Touareg R50. The R36 sports a 3.6-litre V6 petrol
engine developing 296bhp and 258lb ft from 2,400rpm. Top speed is limited to
155mph and 0-62mph takes a very quick 5.6 seconds (5.8 for the estate). The
R36's 249g/km emissions will incur a £400 annual road tax bill and average fuel
consumption works out to 26.9mpg — my test car returned a reasonable 23.2mpg.
Be warned, however, that it will get much lower than this if pushed really hard.
The R36 has, as standard, a six-speed semi-automatic DSG gearbox and VW's 4Motion
four-wheel drive system, which distributes power to the wheels with the most
grip.
The interior of the car has been giving a sporting styling treatment but it
sets no new standards and looks fairly ordinary. Extended wheel-arches, 18-inch
alloy wheels, re-styled lights (front and rear) plus large-bore exhaust tailpipes
complete the exterior styling upgrades. Larger brakes are, of course, also fitted.
I understand why VW need a high-performance Passat like the R36 but it will
only be of limited interest. It isn't such a strong performer; and neither is
it as rapid or as sure-footed as the Mercedes AMG, BMW M models or comparable
C-Class or 3 Series offerings — but then it doesn't costs anywhere near
as much as those either. As such, it is a good halfway house that could attract
those moving up in the world while at the same time catch those coming down
in the market.
So although it is undoubtedly competent, it is not much fun in this class of
sports saloons/ estates. That's not to say that there aren't some very good
reasons to consider it, namely its commendable performance and price compared
to similar high-performance Audi, BMW and Mercedes machinery. — David
Miles
Volkswagen Passat R36 | £31,015
Maximum speed: 155mph | 0-62mph: 5.6 seconds
Overall test MPG: 23.2mpg | Power: 296bhp | Torque: 258lb ft
CO2 249g/km | VED Band G £400 | Insurance group 18
“The
new four-wheel drive Passat