Volkswagen's pumped-up Passat

Volkswagen's current-generation Golf GTI has helped reshape the way the brand's offerings are perceived, thanks to its punchy performance and ability to entertain without sacrificing practicality.

Now Veedub has replicated (we'll know for sure once we've driven it) the same formula further upscale via the newly launched Passat R36, billed as the fastest accelerating road-going car the Wolfsburg brand has offered to date.

Priced at $64,990 in sedan form and $66,990 for the wagon, the R36 represents (at least on paper) undeniably strong value for money.

There's nothing too surprising about how the Volks boffins have gone about creating the go-faster Passat -- the answer was to slot the largest version of the familiar narrow-angle V6 that could be pilfered from the parts bin under the Passat's snout.

The 3.6-litre six made its debut in the recently updated Touareg, but for its application in the Passat, the labcoats found a way to eke out an additional 14kW -- meaning peak power is a respectable 220kW (300 horses in the old scale), versus 206kW for the Touareg.

The narrow-angle V6 is hardly a new design -- it dates back to 1991 and its VR6 designation stems from a combination of "V engine" (or V-Motor in German) and Reihenmotor (German for "straight engine").

As this designation suggests, the VR6 is neither V6 nor inline six in the true sense. In reality, its configuration has the cylinders situated in staggered formation and spread at an angle of 15 degrees.

This set-up lends itself ideally to transverse-engined, front-drive cars as it allows enough space for crumple zones and it's also cheap to manufacture (as a single cylinder head is used for both banks).

The VR6 has, over the years, grown from its original capacity of 2.8 litres to 3.2 litres and, in its latest iteration, to 3.6 litres.

Featuring VW's FSI (Fuel Stratified Injection) direct-injection technology, the V6 enables the Passat R36 to sprint to 100km/h in 5.6 seconds (5.8 seconds for the wagon), which puts it lineball with the likes of the BMW 335i (which costs $40,000 more).

Mated to the engine is Volkswagen's excellent direct shift gearbox (DSG), which features a dual-clutch layout (one clutch for even-numbered gears, and one for odd numbers) for lightning-fast shifts. The transmission software also rev-matches via throttle blips on downshifts.

As per the smaller Golf R32, the Passat R36 features the 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system, which means its ample power isn't likely to evaporate in a wasteful cloud of tyre smoke.

The wheel-tyre package comprises 18-inch 'Omanyt' alloys, shod with 235/40 R18 rubber, which enhances the car's stance no end (and its cornering grip levels should benefit accordingly).

Other visual clues that distinguish the R36 from lesser Passats include a chrome-laden grille, aggressive front apron with enlarged cooling ducts, a bootlid spoiler (the wagon wears its spoiler on the trailing edge of the roof), sill extensions, dual chrome exhausts, darkened tail-lights and colour-coded wheel arch extensions.

Inside, the R36 scores 12-way electrically adjustable sports seats, R36 doorsill trims, new instrument lights (white illumination) and an aluminium-look transmission selector lever.

VW says the "R" design leather steering wheel is slip-proof; it features an R36 logo in the lower spokes and gearshift paddles as standard. There's dark brushed aluminium inserts in the dashboard and centre console and the aluminium accelerator and brake pedals are emblazoned with "R" flags.

The R36 is the handiwork of Volkswagen Individual, the specialist team that cobbled together the Golf R32 and the Touareg R50.

We await the first drive... and we also ponder what the next R-badged VW might be.

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