Performance Review: Volkswagen-VW Passat R36 3.6 V6 - [2008]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Volkswagen-VW Passat Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Volkswagen-VW Passat R36 3.6 V6 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2008. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2008 Ariel Atom V8 500 and the 2008 SSC Ultimate Aero TT.This particular Volkswagen-VW Passat has a 3598cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The Passat shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Passat's All Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1689 kgs (3723 lbs) this makes the Volkswagen-VW Passat R36 3.6 V6 in the same weight category as the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Volkswagen-VW Passat shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 3598cc 24V V6 engine produces 295 bhp (219 kW) @ 6600 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 258 lb-ft (349.8 Nm) @ 2400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Volkswagen-VW Passat you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2007 Bentley Brooklands 2d (199.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Volkswagen-VW Passat.

The Volkswagen-VW Passat has a Power to weight ratio of 174.6 bhp per ton and 152.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2008 Passat competing with the 2007 Bentley Brooklands 2d (199.6 bhp per ton) or the 1995 BMW 3 Series M3 GT E36 (199.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Volkswagen-VW Passat generating around 152.7 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1993 Toyota MR2 Mk2 Turbo Rev 3 (177.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2004 Audi A4 S4 4.2 Quattro (177.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.7 secs, this made the Volkswagen-VW Passat R36 3.6 V6 as fast as the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost (5.50 secs) the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (5.50 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon SC Cupra 300 (5.50 secs) the or the 2017 Seat Leon Cupra 300 DSG (5.50 secs). This Volkswagen-VW Passat R36 3.6 V6 is also faster than the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T AWD (5.60 secs) the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T (5.60 secs) the 2020 Maserati Ghibli GranSport Petrol Hybrid (5.60 secs) the and the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (5.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Passat and the 1992 BMW 8 Series 850 CSi 5.6 V12 E31

When talking about the performance of the Volkswagen-VW Passat on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.06 secs @ 97.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1992 BMW 8 Series 850 CSi 5.6 V12 E31 (14.00 secs), the 2014 Bentley Mulsanne Speed 6.8 V8 Turbo (14.00 secs), and the 2003 Ford Mustang Mach 1 (14.01 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2008 version of the Volkswagen-VW Passat R36 3.6 V6 has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2008 Passat equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2008 Volkswagen-VW Passat R36 3.6 V6 then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2008 Passat Rivals List.

A Brief History of Volkswagen-VW

Car Comparison