Volkswagen unveils Passat R36 Variant Styling Study at Worthersee
by Damon Lavrinc on May 22nd 2008 at 1:27PM 
Click above for high-res gallery of the VW R36 Variant Concept
The Volkswagen and Audi crew are blowing up this year's Worthersee GTI meet in Worther Lake, Austria, first with the introduction of the A3 TDI clubsport quattro concept and damn-near production version of the TT clubsport quattro, and earlier today with the unveiling of the Scirocco GT24. But VAG isn't stopping there. They've taken the wraps off of an Emeril-inspired Passat design study that kicks the already spicy R36 wagon up a notch.
The 300-hp, 3.6-liter V6 remains, but the stock exhaust has been upgraded with a new cat-back unit sporting larger tailpipes. The front brakes have also been swapped out in favor of larger Brembo six-piston units and the wheels are 20-inchers pulled from the Touareg R-Line. All the chrome trim has also been removed and replaced with pieces that match the Passat's Moonlight Blue hue. Inside, race-ready Recaros replace the softer buckets found on the standard model, and they match the two-tone, black-and-white steering wheel, shift boot and even seat belts quite nicely. Volkswagen has made it clear that the Passat R36 Variant Styling Study is exactly what its name would imply, but don't be surprised to find some of these custom bits available through VW's Individual program in the future.
Gallery: Passat R36 Variant Styling Study
[Source: Volkswagen, Carscoop]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
ASEVENCFOUR 1:31PM (5/22/2008)
drooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool
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Franz 3:35PM (5/22/2008)
+1
MikeofLA 6:04PM (5/22/2008)
+2
ugg.tryptophan 8:25PM (5/22/2008)
-1+4
yacoub 1:33PM (5/22/2008)
4motion Haldex w/ the sport controller?
DSG gearbox?
Turbocharged ftw?
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BigMcLargeHuge 3:35PM (5/22/2008)
Yes.
Yes.
No.
http://www.volkswagen.com.au/vwcms_publish/vwcms/master_public/virtualmaster/en_au/New_Cars/passat/trim_lines/Passat_R36.html
TBlueMax 1:36PM (5/22/2008)
Now this looks great! Even if the front seats seem a little over the top, I would prefer this type of exterior treatment on the Jetta Sportwagen TDI. Perhaps a sporty Passat Sportwagen TDI?
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havoc 1:50PM (5/22/2008)
at least from the looks and the numbers, i can now see 2 VW badged cars that i would consider (scirocco).
but i'd never turn down an rs6 wagon...
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Justin 1:39PM (5/22/2008)
Always liked the look of the passat wagon. Although I'd probably change the front seats back to more stock, this is still one nice Vdub, and probably quick too.
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Benfolio 1:47PM (5/22/2008)
WANT
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Raven 1:49PM (5/22/2008)
How many other automakers make model debuts like this at enthusiast shows? I think it's pretty cool.
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Farris 1:59PM (5/22/2008)
x2.
Between this Passat, the Scirocco, and the TDI Cup that they had last year, VW seems like they are really trying to stay connected to the people that buy their products.
montoym 7:38PM (5/22/2008)
Yeah, too bad none of those ever make it over to the US.
VW is very good at catering to their enthusiasts overseas, but we always get the hand me downs. Despite the fact that VW's in the States have quite a following.
Quattrofan 1:51PM (5/22/2008)
Now thats a Frankewagen.
@ Damon - what on earth is Emeril inspired?
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Farris 1:56PM (5/22/2008)
Emeril always says "Let's kick it up a notch."
Quattrofan 2:17PM (5/22/2008)
Gotcha! Emeril is a hack so his name in one sentence with a cool and slick German Sportswagen did not make sense at first.
Ilya 2:01PM (5/22/2008)
Sports wagon rule!
I guess that I'll just add this machine to my shopping list which already includes an Mitsubishi Evo IX
Wagon, Subaru Legacy S304 Wagon, Audi RS6, Alfa 159Ti Sportwagon and of course an Autech Nissan Stagea with an RB26 engine...
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Jason 2:39PM (5/22/2008)
What?? An automaker using LESS CHROME?
I really like the exterior. It looks bad ass without taking it too far. Those wheels are pretty slick too.
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Ray 3:13PM (5/22/2008)
i want this look but with a 60mpg TDI motor
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Rick 7:28PM (5/22/2008)
I love the once chrome grill the color of the body. I wish they'd move that over to their other models.
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