Quick family saloons have always held a special allure at PH, even if they've only captured a small niche of buyers. Its the fairly ordinary shape allied to a big engine and maybe a slight touring car vibe that makes for a winning combination.
Q-cars don't come much more Q-like
Vauxhall Insignia VXR Supersport
heading its way to PH this week, it seemed like a good opportunity to seek out another of its ilk, a fast four-door without a 'premium' badge emblazoned on the bonnet.
And look what we've come across; a Volkswagen Passat R36, one of just 250 saloons made and the only example currently for sale in the PH classifieds.
We've featured an older Passat W8 estate previously, and the R36 followed its ethos of clandestinely housing a potent engine under largely unaltered bodywork, albeit with a more overtly sporting bent. As you would expect given its nomenclature and engine, the flagship Passat was similar in style to the Golf R32; not the last word in communication or involvement to drive, but somewhat redeemed by that V6 engine.
For the Passat, a 3.6-litre version of the V6 was used which made 299hp and 258lb ft. Offered solely with a DSG gearbox (yep, it was happening five years ago) and 4Motion all-wheel drive, the R36 was capable of 155mph and a sprint to 62mph in less than six seconds.
What, you were expecting excitement in here?
Lowered by 20mm on uprated suspension, the R36 was predictably keener than a standard Passat without being a dynamic benchmark. But buying an R36, any Passat in fact, for its handling prowess is like buying a Lotus Elise for its interior ambience; its virtues lie elsewhere.
The R36 presumably makes best sense as a car to make rapid, comfortable and subtle progress in regardless of the weather or the occasion. It might even hit 30mpg at a gentle cruise...
There's no escaping the costs of running a V6-engined Passat will be fairly substantial. An emissions rating of 249g/km means a £475 bill for a 12-month tax disc and replacing four 235/40 R18 tyres with a decent brand will take another £600 or so. Depreciation? Well, this R36 hasn't got another £18,000 to lose, let's leave it there...
It would have been appropriate to finish with some potential rivals but they're rather difficult to track down. A Volvo S40 T5 is smaller and less powerful, the only Saab 9-3 Turbo X we could find was a leggy estate and the cheapest Vauxhall Insignia VXR is £13,500.
But it's an interesting curio, the Passat R36, and a type of vehicle we're unlikely to see again. That's reason enough to draw attention to it, and hopefully enough justification for it to be grabbed by another owner.
VW Passat R36
Engine: 3,597cc V6
Transmission: Six-speed dual-clutch automatic, four-wheel drive
Power (hp): 299@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 258@2,400-5,300rpm
MPG: 26.9 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 249g/km
First registered: 2008
Recorded mileage: 59,000
Price new: £30,990
Yours for: £12,000
See the original advert here.