Ultimate Passat warming up

These exclusive pictures show the R36, a machine which is expected to boast a 280bhp 3.6-litre V6 engine teamed with the company's 4Motion all-wheel-drive set-up.

This combination should be more than enough to guarantee superb performance - and both saloon and estate variants are set to get the beefy new look. At the front, the R36 has large air intakes to keep the V6 cool, while black alloy rims fill the wheel-arches. A lower suspension system helps to give the sporty flagship handling to match its muscle.

The chrome shield-shaped grille of the standard car is replaced with a matt black design, and the same colour also features on the door mirrors. A revised rear bumper incorporating twin exhaust pipes sets the car apart at the back, while the VW logo on the tailgate is finished in black to match the front grille. The estate model also features a discreet high-level spoiler. The R36 is inspired by the Passat R-GT Concept, which first appeared at last year's SEMA event in Las Vegas. It is expected to debut at the Geneva Motor Show next March, before hitting showrooms later in the year.

Prices have yet to be confirmed, but the existing 3.2 V6 Passat costs just under £26,000 - so a starting figure of around £28,000 is likely.

More images in the spy gallery. Link below.