The new Passat V6 will be unveiled in the US later this month, but VW will make this engine available in all Passats worldwide.
The latest generation Passat is due to reach South Africa later this year but VWSA says the company is still awaiting a decision if the V6 model will go on sale here too.
However, we expect that the V6 derivative will reach local shores next year.
This engine also marks the return of VW narrow-angle six-cylinder power train. The 3.6-litre V6 develops 206 kW and will sprint from 0-100 km/h in less than seven seconds.
However, the best news is that VW will fit this engine to the Golf as well. Such as Golf will be named the R36 and will be the most potent Golf to date. The Golf R36 will rocket from 0-100 km/h in about six seconds.
Although VW is mum about its plans for a Golf R36, it is expected to be launched sometime in 2006.