Volkswagen working on Passat R replacement

Volkswagen is secretly once again developing a performance variant of its Passat sedan after the North American market requested a 'halo model' to help boost slow sales on the medium-size sedan.

According to US car blog, motorauthority.com, a concept for a Passat R has already been shown to journalists.

Showing off the concept at its Tennessee R&D facility those who have seen the fast Passat said the concept was painted white but came with a black roof, mirrors and a completely new aero that included a rear boot spoiler and front splitter.

Sportier rear tail lamps, large alloys, and red painted brake calipers complete the exterior changes.

Featuring bigger brakes and a suspension that's lowered by 20mm, Motoringauthority.com said VW engineers present refused to detail the chassis changes over the standard car.

Volkswagen also would not confirm which engine powered the concept but did announce at the preview that it was considering either a 1.8-litre turbo or a 3.6-litre V6 that, engineers claimed, would produce around 210kW.

The other option would be to lift the 206kW/380Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre from the current Golf R that's already been engineered to work with the firm's six-speed dual-clutch automatic.

Back in September 2015 the engineer in charge of the Passat, Heiko Nause, told Motoring.com.au that he wanted to create a replacement for the former Passat R36.

“I would love to do it, I’m all for it,” Nause said when asked if he wanted a hot Passat in the range but said that, back then, there were no plans for a halo model.

The push from the US market might have changed this.

Whatever the case the future Passat R will have a lot to live up to.

The previous R36, available in sedan or wagon guise, came powered by a naturally-aspirated 220kW/350Nm 3.6-litre V6.

Thanks to standard all-wheel drive and a DSG 'box the R36 could hit 100km/h in 5.6 seconds. Impressive when it was launched in Australia back in 2008.