Hottest Volkswagen Passat R36 - latest pics

The Volkswagen Passat R36 is the fastest Volkswagen ‘R’ model ever

Volkswagen has unveiled its hottest ever small saloon – the 300bhp four-wheel-drive Volkswagen Passat R36.

The Volkswagen Passat R36 packs a 3.6-litre V6 powerplant producing 300bhp and 258lb/ft of pulling power and will go into battle against the upcoming Vauxhall Insignia.

This means the scorching Volkswagen Passat R36 can accelerate from 0-62mph in just 5.6 seconds – as quick as a twin-turbo BMW 335i saloon – making it the fastest Volkswagen ‘R’ model ever.

View more images of the new Volkswagen Passat R36

The Volkswagen Passat R36 is now the fastest and most powerful small saloon the German carmaker builds, and is available in both estate and saloon variants.

And the 300bhp is harnessed via a ‘DSG’ semi-automatic gearbox channelling power through VW’s slick 4MOTION four-wheel-drive system – marking it up as a smaller version of the Audi Quattro system and will rival the hottest version of the Vauxhall Insignia.

The fastest Volkswagen Passat is distinguished from the rest of the range thanks to 18-inch wheels, special ‘R’ blue brake calipers, a lower ride height, a new front bumper featuring a chrome grille, a set of twin exhaust pipes – and discreet ‘R36’ badges.

Step inside the new Volkswagen Passat R36 and you’ll find supportive front sports seats designed to “offer greater lateral support”, while a sculpted sports steering wheel features the paddles for the super-quick DSG semi-automatic gearbox.

The new Passat R36 builds on a long line of factory-modified Volkswagens, produced for the German carmaker in-house by ‘Individual’, which is also responsible for the new Volkswagen Golf R32, the Volkswagen Touraeg R50 and other ‘R’ badged special models.

The Volkswagen Passat R36 goes on sale today, with prices starting at £30,990 for the saloon and £32,150 for the estate model. Volkswagen will later add the option of special 19-inch wheels as an upgrade.

View more images of the new Volkswagen Passat R36