Andy Goodwin looks back at the history of Volkswagen’s sleekest model.

If you were looking for a small and sporty car in 1970s Britain you could choose from the likes of the Saab 99, Ford Escort RS2000, Ford Capri, E21 BMW 3-Series and Datsun 240Z. 

To be able to compete with them, Volkswagen needed a replacement for its ageing Karman Ghia – the Beetle-based coupe and convertible which debuted at the 1953 Paris motor show.

The Karman Ghia had been a stunning success for Volkswagen, and more than 400,000 were sold.

Its name derived from its body styling which was by Italian design-house Ghia and its hand-built body from German coach-builder Karmann.

While the Karman Ghia’s gorgeous looks were timeless, its mechanicals were not. The air-cooled engine was a wheezy but fondly regarded unit prone to overheating and lacking the performance of more contemporary machines.

First generation Scirocco
(1974-1981)

Step forward the Volkswagen Scirocco. Like the Karmann Ghia it was based on a more humble model – in this case the Volkswagen Golf.

And its rakish body was designed by Giugiaro, another top Italian design-house, which was also responsible for icons including the 1970s Alfa Romeo GT and the Lancia Delta.

While it shared its underpinnings with the Golf, most of its components were re-designed or tweaked to give a sharper driver.

Gone were the air-cooled engines, in favour of quieter, more efficient and more powerful water-cooled four-cylinder motors.

It’s most distinguishing design feature was its four round headlights separated by a black grille, and its rear windows which ‘kicked’ upwards.

The first model available in the UK was the Scirocco TS with a 1.5-litre and then 1.6-litre engine, four gears and chrome bumpers. Earlier versions had two windscreen wipers, while 1.6-litre cars had one.

From 1976 the GLS was introduced with an upgraded interior and cutting-edge wrap around front indicators.

And then in 1979 the ultimate first generation Sciroccos arrived. The GLi, GTi and the Storm special edition fitted with the 1.6-litre engine from the Golf GTi, with its Bosch-designed fuel injection and 110bhp.

These hot editions come with five gears and the Storm has a leather interior, special badging and spoilers.

By the start of 1981 an amazing 500,000 Scirocco had been sold worldwide.

Second Generation Scirocco
(1981-1992)

In 1981 the second generation of Scirocco was unveiled, with a heavily re-designed exterior, two rectangular headlights and flat-bottomed rear windows, but largely the same engineering know-how.

The body was around 16cm longer, which gave it a more spacious and practical interior with a bigger boot.

Comfort was also improved with optional leather seats, electric windows, sunroof and even air-conditioning.

The 1980s was a time when carmakers produced endless model and specification changes, and the variation of second generation Sciroccos models was numerous.

CL models were the least powerful, while GL versions made up the mid-range.

GTi Sciroccos were the fastest, with a 1.6-litre 110bhp engine at first and a 1.8-litre with 112bhp and more pulling power from 1982 onwards.

From 1984 onwards CL models were rebadged GT, while GL models continued to evolve and became GTL, GTS and then Scala. The GTi was rebadged as GTX in late 1984.

When production ended in 1992 around 200,000 second generation Sciroccos had been sold, but no replacement was announced.

Instead its spiritual successor, the Volkswagen Corrado, was built and took the honour of being Volkswagen’s coolest car during the 1990s.

The Volkswagen Corrado was stockier and faster than the Scirocco and had 1.8-litre, 2-litre, 2.8-litre and 2.9-litre petrol engines.

The 2.9-litre six-cylinder engine pumped out 187bhp and accelerated it from 0-60mph in 6.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 143mph.

Volkswagen Iroc Concept
(2006)

In 2006, Volkswagen revealed it was about to bring the coupe back.

After the Scirocco’s 14-year absence, it was clear the Iroc concept was not just a design study, but a full-blown statement of intent.

Even its name, Scirocco told the world VW’s ambitions.

The bright green Iroc was excitedly received and hailed as the car to make Volkswagen’s line-up fun again.

All-new Volkswagen Scirocco
(2008-)

View our slide show of the new Volkswagen Scirocco

And here it is – the all-new Scirocco is available to order now in the UK.

This time it’s based on the Volkswagen Eos convertible, and it also shares lots of components with the brilliant Golf GTi.

It’s massively more powerful than the 1970s cars, with a 197bhp 2-litre or 158bhp TSI petrol engine.

And for the first time, the Scirocco will be given diesel-power, in the form of Volkswagen’s 2-litre, 138bhp TDI.

With a price tag between £18,500 and £21,000 it’s also great value for money, and looks set to be as much of a sales success as its pretty predecessors.

Its homage is clear to see, just take a look at its black front grille with two headlights at either side and at its coupe rear haunches.

If rumours are correct, the latest Scirocco nose will be taking the German carmaker in a new design direction and is the introduction of a new ‘family face’ for its cars.

It’s a fitting tribute to the Volkswagen which has made so many people smile with its looks and performance.

Would you buy a new Volkswagen Scirocco? Have your say on the Auto Trader blog

Check out this official video of the new Scirocco in action (video has no audio):