The Scirocco is back
The Scirocco’s back. Striking styling combines with the most dynamic and technologically advanced production coupé Volkswagen has ever built.
The new Scirocco’s parentage is very much with a mix of distinctive coupé styling, a practical hatchback boot, a transversely mounted four-cylinder engine channelling drive through the front wheels and sharp, responsive dynamics.
Originally launched in 1974, the new Scirocco can be ordered from June when full UK specification and pricing will be announced. First UK deliveries are scheduled for September. Prices for the launch model are expected to start at around £20,000.
Scirocco Style
Deep front airdams and a razor-thin grille element are framed by twin-lens headlight units. In a rare departure the Volkswagen roundel has been moved from the grille to the bonnet. Further back, pronounced haunches that sweep over the rear wheel arches are accentuated by a tapered sill line that pinches around the middle of the vehicle mimicking the look of the original Iroc Concept car on which it is based. The haunches flow into the slim high intensity rear light units and a wide, practical hatchback boot, on top of which is a subtle aerodynamic wing.
The interior styling reflects that of the exterior. The driver is placed in a highly supportive front seat beside which are beautifully crafted triangular grab handles. A contoured, flat-bottomed sports steering wheel frames dials that glow white at night. The interior is airy and light, while the option of an electrically-operated panoramic sunroof further emphasises the feeling of spaciousness.
Four, individual sculpted seats finished in a choice of either cloth or leather. The sports seats aren’t just restricted to those up front – the contoured rear seats feature integrated headrests to offer plenty of support. Despite the sweeping roofline all four occupants of the Scirocco benefit from extensive headroom.
Scirroco Drive
A host of technological and egonomic features can be found on the Scirocco, such as:-
• Advanced adaptive chassis control offering three driver-selected settings – comfort, normal and sport
• Six airbags
• Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP)
• ABS with Hydraulic Brake Assist.
The Scirocco’s sharp dynamics are linked to a range of powerful yet efficient petrol and diesel engines. Available from launch is the 2.0-litre T-FSI four-cylinder engine developing 200 PS and driving through the front wheels via a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed DSG gearboxes. A range of TSI and common rail TDI engines will also be offered linked to six-speed manual and seven-speed DSG gearboxes, from the end of the year.
Scirroco History
Styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro and assembled by Karmann in Osnabruck, Germany, the original Scirocco coupé arrived in the UK along with the iconic Golf GTI in 1974.
By the time the model ceased production in 1993 it was topped by a 1.8-litre 16v engine developing a more substantial 139 bhp to raise the top speed to 129 mph and drop the 0 to 62 mph dash to 8.1 seconds.
Over two generations and 19 years, a total of 77,460 Sciroccos were sold in the UK alone. In 1989 the Corrado model was introduced. Sitting above the Scirocco range the Corrado adopted its wedge styling and featured three new engines topped by the 2.9-litre 190 bhp VR6 unit. The Corrado went on to replace the Scirocco in 1993 as the coupé in the Volkswagen range when sales ceased.
The UK market accounted for 10,155 sales of the Corrado between 1989 and 1996.