Volkswagen Australia will import the performance Passat 206TSI as a modern successor to the Passat R36 that accrued a sizeable fanbase locally, MOTOR has exclusively learned.

The Passat 206TSI mixes a 5.5-second 0-100km/h claim with the space of a medium sedan or (two-tenths-slower) wagon, and will be priced from an estimated $52,000 before on-road costs when it arrives in September.

Passat 140R-line rear

The same DSG six-speed dual-clutch automatic and 4Motion all-wheel-drive system carry over, and the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine makes an identical 206kW though with 30Nm less torque (an R36-matching 350Nm).

Passat 140 R-line interior

The 206TSI will look similarly athletic to the R36 thanks to an R-Line package featuring sports suspension, 19-inch wheels, bodykit and carbon Nappa leather upholstery, as is optional on the (pictured above) Passat 140TDI model grade.

Volkswagen R36

Volkswagen sibling Skoda already offers the Superb 206TSI sedan and wagon with this Golf R drivetrain priced from $50,990 before on-road costs, but it is larger and slower (by three-tenths from 0-100km/h) than the Passat 206TSI.