New York Auto Show: Volkswagen Passat gets aggressive

New York Auto Show: Volkswagen Passat gets aggressive
Volkswagen of America is showing this racy Passat in New York, equipped with an appearance package derived from the Passat R GT concept that debuted at SEMA in November 2005. It seems that the concept got such rave reviews that VW decided to offer the aesthetics portion of package as a factory option, starting this fall.

Priced at $4,500, the VW-installed kit includes redesigned front and rear fascia, a honeycomb grille, side skirts, a "harmonically integrated tailgate lip," new exhaust tips, 18-inch titanium-colored alloy wheels, 225/45 Pirelli high-performance tires, and performance lowering springs. The components will also be available individually from any VW dealership.

Unfortunately, the option package doesn't include the 500 hp twin-turbo 3.2-liter V6 that nestled under the hood of the concept car - that's left up to you and your favorite tuner.

The Passat's aggressive treatment comes to us courtesy of the creative folks at VW's "Moonraker" U.S. project group - the people who dreamed up the GX-3 three-wheeler. Photos of the original SEMA-version R GT after the jump.