Volkswagen Passat Estate R36 4MOTION

Nov 28 2008 Bill McCarthy

THERE'S a red-hot German car that rockets from 0-60mph in under six seconds, has a top speed of a limited 155mph and has one of the slickest gearboxes in the business.

Porsche 911? Mercedes C63? BMW M series? No, it's a VW Passat Estate, more often associated with being a repmobile than a rapidmobile.

This R36 Passat costs over £32,000 and is obviously the daddy of a range that starts at around £17,000.

The Passat is the third prestigious 'R' model in the 'VW Individual' range and is also the quickest.

It also offers intelligent four-wheel drive 4MOTION to complement the blistering performance. This intelligent all-wheel drive has the capacity to transfer all the power to any single wheel to gain maximum traction.

But apart from some discrete R36 badging, smart alloy wheels and double exhaust pipes, it looks like butter wouldn't melt in its mouth.

Whatever the lump under the bonnet - in this case a growling 300PS, 3.6-litre V6 - one thing every Passat buyer is guaranteed is excellent build quality, reliability and good residuals.

They also gain a hugely practical vehicle that seats five adults with comfort, cavernous carrying space and one of the neatest interiors.

Plenty to offer and the R36 also has awesome pulling with 258lb/ft available and a drive to match many sports cars.

It also offers an eye-watering price tag, but unlike some of its Teutonic rivals, the standard gear on the car is lavish and it features some nice sporting touches like aluminium facia, white backlit dials with blue needles and stylish alloy pedals.

The sport seats hold driver and passenger firmly, but comfortably, particularly at higher speeds.

Even when cornerning there is little movement thanks to a stiffened bodyshell and uprated suspension.

The exterior of the Passat has a nicely sculpted profile with a new bumper design, while the built-in roof bars complement, rather than detract from the looks.

The interior is what you would expect from VW - clever styling, high quality and built to last.

On the road the car is a real beast. The V6 rumble is just a background throb as you potter around, but floor the accelerator and it roars into life and rockets ahead as the DSG gearbox changes blip through.

DSG allows for full auto, stick or paddle change and all are lightning quick. Handling is tight and the ride good with nicely-weighted, direct steering through a leather-bound, multi-function steering wheel.

The roar of the V6 is slightly muted by the layers of soundproofing so you are well insulated from road and engine noise.

The estate is a first-class motorway cruiser and the extra oomph from the V6 gives plenty of overtaking power in tight circumstances.

In practical terms the boot space is excellent with 513 litres, but fold down the rear seats and this expands to a cavernous 1,641 litres.

Powerful brakes are needed to stop a powerful car and the R36 features large brake pads in distinctive blue calipers which stops rapidly in a straight line, thanks to ABS and brake assist.

Other safety extra include electronic stability programme and traction control, plus front, side and curtain airbags.

Standard kit includes the usual array of electrically powered gizmos, bi-Xenon directional lights, parking sensors, climate control, onboard computer, leather steering wheel and heated front seats, to name just a few.

The riotous VW is immensely practical, of the highest build quality and rocket powered.

FAST FACTS

Volkswagen Passat Estate R36 4MOTION

Price : £32,380

Mechanical : 300ps, 3,597cc, 6cyl petrol engine driving four wheels via 6spd automatic gearbox

Max speed : 155mph

0-62mph : 5.8 secs

Combined mpg : 26.9

Insurance group : 18

CO2 emissions : 249g/km

BIK rating : 35%

Warranty : 3yrs/ 60,000 miles, 3yrs paint, 12yrs anti-rust