Well, we already have an "average" 3.6L version sold here with quite a bit of power, so I doubt this car is out of the question. Chances are they will wait until the Spring debut of the R32 before the R36 comes across the Atlantic, but given VW's track record for announcements in the US, official word should come by the Los Angeles Auto Show, or by the Chicago Auto Show.
I liked how the first post of this mentioned price, all those months ago and still dead-on with my thoughts (as I'm reading this thread for the first time now).
Regarding the car... I love it.
I just like to see companies work on a project of this sort.
...I'd agree that pricing is still questionable at best here in America. Considering that the top-line "Passat 3.6" starts just shy of $30,000 my guess would be that the R36 would start right around $35,000. A fair deal I would say, considering that it packs in far more luxury than the Mazdaspeed 6, and would be better suited in comparisons to models from Infiniti and Acura.
The Passat W8 six speed was a disaster with its mis-spaced geariring. This R36 better have some fun factor in it to be a proper competitor to M-B, BMW, and Audi.
Hopefully VW will be smart enough to send us both.
