Bring back the R36 to Australia

[Swaney]

Hi All

From what I know VW Australia has no plans to bring the new Passat R here.

Volkswagen gives the R-Line treatment to European-model Passat - Autoblog

What a shame! Love my R36 and have about 18 months left on my lease to find a new wagon. Saddest of all the wagons out now are all lame with soft 2.0T engines which send you to sleep at the wheel!

Any suggestions for an R36 wagon lover who is looking to upgrade?

Has anyone done an R36 style upgrade on a V6 FSI Highline? Lowered suspension, seats, exhaust, wheels etc

Your help would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers!

Adam

[kleung]

Any suggestions for an R36 wagon lover who is looking to upgrade?

Technically, there isn't really a true Passat R at all - all of the other R models feature exclusive powertrains over and above the mainstream models as well as the other aesthetic and performance treatments Now that the 3.6l V6 from the R36 is available in a mainstream model mated to the same DSG gearbox and 4-MOTION driveline, VW need to do something special to make it a worthy replacement for the R36. Maybe the twincharged 3.0l V6 from Audi?

In terms of your lease, what are the constraints in terms of vehicle age and/or value? A C63AMG would probably break the bank, but maybe an Audi S4 might be on the cards?

[Umai Naa!!]

Odd that they won't bring it here.

The R36 was pretty popular.

[kamold]

Odd that they won't bring it here.

The R36 was pretty popular.

Maybe a strategic decision from VGA...we have a pretty small, crowded market. Potential Passat R owners are probably assumed to be able to be tempted into Q5/Q7s or A4 Avants and out of pocket...?

I'd like to see them on the road personally.

[kleung]

The R36 was pretty popular.

VW's sporty models seem to do really well here - I read somewhere that 1 in 4 Golf sales are for a GTI. At least the R36 drivetrain lives on in the current V6 Highline, even if it doesn't get all the go-fast bits that were in the R36.

Maybe a strategic decision from VGA...we have a pretty small, crowded market. Potential Passat R owners are probably assumed to be able to be tempted into Q5/Q7s or A4 Avants and out of pocket...?

Unlikely - The only Q5 comparable in performance to the R36 is almost $10k dearer before ORCs, and singificantly smaller than the Passat wagon, and the Q7 range starts about $30k higher than the R36 was, and is a big, boofy pseudo-offroader.

The Audi A4 Avant is a remote maybe - Performance wise, the R36 is probably closer to the A4 3.0SC than the A4 2.0T Quattro, but was priced more closely to the 2.0T Quattro.

If I were in the OP's position, I'd seriously consider the 2.0T Quattro Avant.

[kamold]

Unlikely - The only Q5 comparable in performance to the R36 is almost $10k dearer before ORCs, and singificantly smaller than the Passat wagon, and the Q7 range starts about $30k higher than the R36 was, and is a big, boofy pseudo-offroader.
.

Precisely my point: some marketing type has decided that the R36 'buyer' is someone who is aspirational, and therefor willing to part with extra cash for the four rings badge, for a less pratical car. I'd take a Passat R over any SUV with the exception perhaps of a G Wagen or Bowler Wilcat...

[Cplus]

That R line is hardly something that would sell here (or I would want personally) it's nothing more than a tart up - no driveline worth being proud of unlike an R36.

I've just ordered a FSI passat with sports pack (seats (no pneumatic sides, but full leather), suspension, wheels) and other that a slightly less muffled exhaust (or is it?) I'm not sure what I'm missing out over an R36? Cosmetically it's not going to be as "sporty" but I don't think it loses any capability or actual performance?

The only thing I'd like it to have would be an R line steering wheel in reality.

I did ask about what happened to the R36 and what was likely in the future. The next generation is using MQB platforms and the won't fit the VR6 engine. The dealer said there was a extremely high chance of a R model and the engine they were told would be used is the 2.5ltr 5 pot from the TTRS.

[Steve]

The dealer said there was a extremely high chance of a R model and the engine they were told would be used is the 2.5ltr 5 pot from the TTRS.

If this ever actually happens I will do a happy dance. I've been saying for years that an R25 Passat - with the 2.5 litre inline 5 turbo - would be the best possible outcome if a new, proper, R model Passat is released.

[shakespeare]

I want this motor in the next Passat R (30??)

Volkswagen VR6 Returning With Turbo Charging: Report | Reviews | Prices | Australian specifications

FWIW the R36 had some other minor tweaks that the B7 V6 does not have - better brakes, lower and stiffer suspension, more bolstered front seats and from what I understand a slightly different map for the ECU. Also the B6 looks better than the B7 (in my opinion)

[kleung]

I want this motor in the next Passat R (30??)

Volkswagen VR6 Returning With Turbo Charging: Report | Reviews | Prices | Australian specifications

<Homer> Harrrr....</H>

FWIW the R36 had some other minor tweaks that the B7 V6 does not have - better brakes, lower and stiffer suspension, more bolstered front seats and from what I understand a slightly different map for the ECU.

Not sure about the ECU map, given that the on-paper output from both engines is the same. I also suspect that the R36 had a slightly different exhaust, and possibly different gearing as well. Mine spins at a shade over 2500rpm in 6th at 100km/h. Anybody with a V6 Highline care to share their figures?

The newer V6 Highline has almost the same 0-100 time as the R36, has the same engine code (BWS), outputs (220kw/350nm) and weighs about the same, but (on paper) returns far better fuel economy (9.5l/100km V6HL wagon vs 10.7l/100km R36 wagon). Neither car has start/stop, so the only way I can think of that VW achieved such gains without sacrificing sprint times or increasing engine power is via taller gearing, possibly in the top 3 or 4 ratios.

Also the B6 looks better than the B7 (in my opinion)

Agreed. The B6 looks just weird enough to be interesting without being offensive. VW must have hired Toyota exterior designers for the B7 - certainly inoffensive to look at, but also very conservative and uninteresting.