VOLKSWAGEN Passat R36 2008-2010 Photos, engines & full specs

In 2008, Volkswagen decided to give a performance boost for its mid-size sedan, the Passat. The car was well known in Europe, but mostly for its fuel-efficient TDI engine.

The change from the fifth to the sixth generation of the Passat was big. That generation was considered one of the best vehicles ever made by Volkswagen. It also featured a powerful version such as the W8 that offered 271 hp. Considering this, the German car-maker installed a new top-model on the sixth generation of the Passat: the R36.

Its look was not so much different than the rest of its lineup. Some details were telling that that was not the regular, economic vehicle. Upfront, there was a massive silver grille instead of the body-colored one on the rest of the Passat's range. Bigger air-scoops were installed on the modified front bumper and special 18” light-alloy-wheels were fitted as standard. The bi-xenon headlights and the LED taillights were standard as well.

Inside, there was an abundance of carbon-fiber decals on the dashboard, instrument cluster, and center console. The aluminum pedals were part of the pack. The front bucket-seats were highly bolstered for supplementary side support during high-speed cornering. But, most importantly, the 3.6-liter engine offered more power than the previous W8 Passat, even if it had a smaller displacement and two cylinders less. In fact, it was the most powerful Passat ever built by Volkswagen.