Volkswagen Passat R36 | Spotted
So wrong, yet so right
We didn’t really know what we were in for when Volkswagen introduced the V6-engined R32 Golf in the 2003. There had been a V6-engined Golf previously, of course, but it wasn't four-wheel drive or based on the lame-duck Mk4. At the time, it looked as though the Golf would be the only recipient of the R treatment, though the idea of a rorty Polo or, even better, Lupo, seemed like a natural progression for VW’s novel performance brand.
Instead, the company threw a curve ball and served up a punchy Passat with V6 power and the Mk5 Golf R32’s glitzy silver mouthpiece. A complete oddity on the surface, given that a Passat of any generation is about as dull as it gets, and though it may be well-engineered, you’d be hard-pressed to find anything remotely sporty about the way it drives. But, as we recently covered with the Nissan Sunny GTI-R, there’s something deeply appealing about a dreary car in a tracksuit.
The R36 wouldn’t be the first time VW lumped a big engine into its humble family saloon. The B5 generation was graced with a W8 variant that, while immensely cool, wasn’t the performance car the R36 set out to be. As the name suggests, power comes from a naturally aspirated 3.6-litre V6, an upgraded version of the 3.2-litre unit found in the R32, delivering 300hp and 258lb ft of torque. That’s some 50hp and 22 torques more than the Golf, making it about a second faster to 62mph, and allowing it to comfortably rock up to 155mph before hitting the limiter.
VW put the work in under the skin, too. Namely, a stiffer suspension setup and a snappy six-speed DSG gearbox that channels power to each corner. Granted, it wasn’t enough to transform the Passat into top flight fast wagon, but it’s about as close as the model has ever been to a thrilling performance car. A sporty body kit, 19-inch Omanyt wheels and that tell-tale silver decal surrounding the grille meant it looked the part, too.
As is the case with so many oddities from days gone by, the R36 was a complete flop. Just over 150 examples were sold in the UK, most of which were estate cars the like one we have here. A similar fate befell the diesel V10-engined Touareg R50, another car that had made little sense as a performance car, but one that we’re glad exists. All 65 UK examples of them, if HowManyLeft is anything to go by.
With so few produced, a good R36 is always an attention-getter - and the fact that this one heralds from Japan suggests that there is still underlying demand for the VW's half-forgotten wagon. Obviously, heritage mean the steering wheel is on the correct side, and rust – which can be an issue on the R36 – shouldn’t be a problem either. Despite their rarity, there are more than a few leggy examples out there, which makes this 68,000-mile car look mint-fresh. Furthermore, family-pleasing practicality and a throaty V6 aren't going out of fashion anytime soon. Still one for the fast estate connoisseur, then.
SPECIFICATION | VW PASSAT R36
Engine: 3,597cc V6
Transmission: 6-speed dual-clutch automatic, all-wheel drive
Power (hp): 300@6,600rpm
Torque (lb ft): 258@2,400rpm
MPG: 26.9
CO2: 249g/km
Year registered: 2009
Recorded mileage: 68,000
Price new: £32,990
Yours for: £12,990
Like Volvo V70s these are better in the most fuel economic specification where your expectations are low and you can at least get some enjoyment out of the fact the car doesn't have it's hand in your pocket all the time, because you certainly won't be getting any from driving it.
These were a fickle thing to specify when new. Some were ordered in base spec, some were fully loaded (as today's one is to a large extent). Good straight line speed, but wasn't a particular fan of corners, mostly as it's a heavy lump. I was kind-of expecting a sub £10k price, but the Japanese provenance of this example generally means it'll cost more as it has had a cosseted life. Never hankered after one - but if I had, the blue is the best colour. Too anonymous otherwise and looking very dated now.
Did VW just start labelling them V6 to avoid having to explain to punters what a VR6 was?
All cars rust, Japan is a very humid wet country, yes a lot of Japan doesn’t use salt in their grit at winter, but that’s only one detail.
It’s the same with importers here that advertise this and other crap about the annual road test there being much tougher in the Uk.
Its amazing how these myths get perpetuated
I'm sure I've read somewhere that their MOT equivalent (Shaken I think) costs around £1k a year, so it should be very well looked after!
Anyhow, cracking inconspicuous car!
Now what do you get? Some sort of wheezy laggy 1.0 turbo which runs out of puff at 5k or a droning 4 pot with a ginormous battery strapped to it.
I just can't get the slightest bit interested in any of that stuff. Bring back the 6's and 8's stuffed into unsuspecting mainstream cars.
Did VW just start labelling them V6 to avoid having to explain to punters what a VR6 was?
Now what do you get? Some sort of wheezy laggy 1.0 turbo which runs out of puff at 5k or a droning 4 pot with a ginormous battery strapped to it.
I just can't get the slightest bit interested in any of that stuff. Bring back the 6's and 8's stuffed into unsuspecting mainstream cars.
I’ll go against common sense and say I wouldn’t mind one, the build quality is excellent and whilst it may not be the best handling ‘B Road’ blaster, it would still be fine 90% of the time; after all, today’s speed camera infested, pothole-ridden roads, with more and more traffic on, don’t really let you throw the car around in its door handles..
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