Sportiest Passat of all time, the Passat R36, arrives to Middle East

Dubai/Cairo ... Customers in the Middle East can now embrace the most powerful Passat in the Volkswagen series, the Passat R36, which has recently been unleashed on the streets around the region. The Passat R36 launches on the market as both a Sedan and Variant.

Under the hood, a 220 kW / 300 hp 3.6 litre six cylinder direct injection gasoline engine powers this high-class sporty sedan. With a top speed electronically regulated at 250 km/h and power transmission handled by a direct shift gearbox (DSG) with permanent four-wheel drive (4MOTION) as standard equipment, the Passat R36 is a unique demonstration of the hallmarks of German innovation and engineering. In terms of speed, the Passat R36 outstrips every other Volkswagen, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.6 seconds (5.8 seconds for the Variant).

The new Passat R36 was conceived by Volkswagen Individual, the specialist team for very fast and/or special models. Following the Golf R32, the Passat R36 is the second version to be debuting under the ï?½Rï?½ sports label. The ï?½R32ï?½ label already represents a top-selling model; the first Golf R32 (177 kW / 241 hp) based on the fourth Golf generation and introduced in midsummer 2002, propelled to a flying start with 14,000 cars sold.

On the foundation of this success the idea arose to develop a whole series of ï?½Rï?½ models in the future. In autumn 2005 the second Golf R32, 184 kW / 250 hp, equipped with 4MOTION four-wheel drive as standard equipment was introduced. It was also a terrific seller and it continues to sell well today. The ï?½R36ï?½ shows how sporty a Passat Sedan and a Passat Variant can be.
Visually, with a whole range of specific features the new Passat R36 shows that it is the most dynamic model of the globally successful series.

Special features of the front section: an R-specific bumper and a crest radiator grill in matte chrome finish. Other R exclusives are the dual fins of the upper radiator grill designed in aluminum look and the radiator air inlets in slatted look.

The rear of the Passat R36 sedan features a newly designed spoiler on the luggage compartment lid; in the case of the Passat Variant R36 a new roof edge spoiler provides additional downward force to the rear axle. Identical for both body versions: the chrome dual exhaust pipes. On the sides it is, among other things, the newly designed 18-inch ï?½Omanytï?½ alloy wheels and wheel arch extensions in the car colour that were specially developed for the Passat R36.

A partial overview of the R36 exterior includes:
- Chrome exhaust pipe ends
- Bi-xenon headlights
- Disk brake calipers painted black
- Roof edge spoiler (Variant)
- Trunk lid spoiler (Sedan)
- Radiator grill in matte chrome, fins in aluminum look and ï?½R36ï?½ lettering
- Air grille in slatted look
- R-specific bumpers front and back
- Rear LED tinted lights
- Wheel arch extensions in car colour
- Chrome protective trim on sides and back
- Door sill extensions in car colour
- Door closing trim in car colour
- 18 inch ï?½Omanytï?½ alloy wheels (tires: 235/40)

Similar to the Golf R32, Volkswagen Individual designed the interior equipment especially for the sportiest Passat. The instruments and middle console are finished in ï?½Engine Spinï?½ dï?½cor. The leather steering wheel in R design is especially slip-proof; it features an R36 logo in the lower spokes. The pedals have a stainless steel finish.

In addition, as standard equipment the Passat R36 will be delivered with a sport seating system together with electric 12-way adjustment, R36 door sill trims, new instrument lights (white illumination) and an automatic transmission selector lever in aluminum look. A special highlight is the optionally available 14-way leather seating system with seats that are electrically adjustable on the sides, affording optimal side support for drivers and passengers of different sizes.

A partial overview of the R36 interior includes:
- Automatic transmission selector lever in aluminum look
- Engine Spin dï?½cor inlays, light-coloured
- Door sill trims with R36 lettering in front
- Instrument cluster with R logo and white illumination
- R design pedal caps
- R-specific multifunctional steering wheel
- Seat covers and door coverings in flat woven fabric ï?½Monte Carloï?½ design
- Sport seats in front, 12-way electric, R logo on backrest
- Sport seating system in back, separately folding backrests with middle armrest
- Heatable front and outer rear seats