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Few vehicles look more innocent on the road than mid-size blue station wagons. Call it childish if you like, but we have just played enjoyable games during our week’s road test in a 2010 Volkswagen Passat R36 station wagon. We took part in the traditional Aussie driving game of drag racing at traffic lights (only up to the speed limit) on a couple of occasions. And left hot-looking cars, with unsuspecting blokes at the wheel, stranded in our wake as an apparently innocuous 300 horsepower, 220 kW, VW station wagon rocketed into the distance.
These days, no car maker’s range is considered complete without it providing interesting products from its high-performance division. In Volkswagen's case this consists of the ‘R’ series vehicles. The Passat R36 we were enjoying is arguably the best sorted of all Volkswagen's R variants.
It runs in just 5.6 seconds from rest to 100 km/h on its way to a top speed governed to 250 km/h, where conditions permit. This performance is created by a highly-tuned 3.6-litre V6 engine producing 350 Nm between 2400 and 5000 rpm. An engine that's complemented by VW's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system, the latter not only cuts wheelspin during standing starts, but also adds the safety of extra grip.
Passat R36 also features VW's superb DSG double-clutch gearbox. This automated manual unit combines faster shifts than are possible be even the best driver with a full manual gearbox, and uses less fuel at the same time.
Not that this is an economy car. We found ‘our’ Passat R36 using 12 to 14 litres per hundred kilometres around town, admittedly some of it in our pair of drag racing exploits. On the open road, cruising easily in sixth gear, the Passat was less anti-social in its fuel usage, with eight to nine litres per hundred being normal.
On the road, the engine is a sheer delight. It has seemingly endless torque that propels it with ease while reacting very quickly to throttle movements. The throttle response had a smile on our face on more than one occasion, it really is nice to have a powerplant that almost seems to read your mind. This V6 is refined and smooth, yet has a sporting exhaust note to remind you that it’s a special unit.
Handling is swift and efficient, with the sports Volkswagen having a balance that's improved by the weight distribution created by taking some power to the back wheels. The R36 is willing to change direction quickly on winding roads and the messages to the driver through the steering are nicely clear.
Comfort isn't quite as good as in the standard Passat wagon, but it's not that far behind thanks to the clever work put in by a small army of suspension engineers. Naturally the keen driver will love the firm feel, and it's likely that only the fussiest of passengers will find it uncomfortable. It's not all go – there's plenty of show in this hot Volkswagen as well. Exterior features include a bolder grille design, a revised front bumper with additional cooling slots, darkened tail-lights, and 18-inch alloy wheels sitting within colour-coded wheel-arch extensions.
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Inside, there are sports seats with adjustable side bolsters, the cabin is trimmed in leather, and there are a leather bound steering wheel and gearlever. Then there's the safety and convenience of automatic headlights and wipers as well as a self-dimming interior mirror. As you step into the car, badges on the sill plates have the stylised ‘R’ logo of the Volkswagen R Series vehicles. The quality 10-speaker audio system features a six-CD player and can handle MP3 inputs.
European drivers of high-performance passenger cars love their station wagons and these frequently outsell sedans on the European continent. Now they are starting to head that way in Australia. Should you not wish to be part of this move towards wagons, the folks at Volkswagen can also offer you a Passat R36 with a four-door sedan body.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE AND PRICING
Passat R36 3.6-litre petrol four-door sedan: $64,990 (automatic)
Passat R36 3.6-litre petrol five-door wagon: $66,990 (automatic)
* Prices do not include dealer or government charges.
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard in both models
Air Conditioning: Standard in both models
Automatic Transmission: Standard in both models
CD Player: Standard in both models
Cruise Control: Standard in both models
Dual Front Airbags: Standard in both models
Front Side Airbags: Standard in both models
Stability Control: Standard in both models
Traction Control: Standard in both models
SPECIFICATIONS (Volkswagen Passat R36 3.6-litre petrol four-door wagon)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 3.597 litres
Configuration: Front transverse V6
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 11.4:1
Bore/Stroke: 89.0 mm x 96.4 mm
Maximum Power: 220 kW @ 6600 rpm
Maximum Torque: 350 Nm @ 2400-5300 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: All-wheel drive
Manual Transmission: Not offered
Automatic Transmission: Six-speed DSG
Final Drive Ratio: NA
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4820 mm
Wheelbase: 2709 mm
Width: 1820 mm
Height: 1456 mm
Turning Circle: 11.4 metres
Kerb Mass: 1747 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 70 litres
Towing Ability: 750 kg (1800 kg with braked trailer)
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Independent, MacPherson struts, lower wishbones, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear Suspension: Independent, four-link, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Front Brakes: Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes: Ventilated disc
PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 5.8 seconds
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Petrol 98RON
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 10.7 L/100km
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 5/10
Air Pollution Rating: 6.5/10
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years/100,000 km
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