Volkswagen Scirocco car review: First drive
.jpg "The 2008 new Volkswagen Scirocco is this year's most hotly anticipated new car - and we're among the first to sample the sexy new coupe.")
Model tested: Volkswagen Scirocco 1.4 TSI manual, Volkswagen Scirocco 2-litre TSI DSG
Price as tested: 1.4 TSI (N/A) 2-litre DSG (£22,100)
Insurance group as tested: N/A
Insurance group range: N/A
CO2 emissions as tested: 154g/km (Band D, £145) 179g/km (Band E, £170)
CO2 emissions range: 154-179g/km
EuroNCAP result: N/A
On sale date: September 2008
Date and place tested: June 2008, Lisbon, Portugal
Road tester: Stuart Milne
It's difficult to think of the new Volkswagen Scirocco without evoking memories of its predecessor. That rakish Golf-based coupe won over all who drove it, so Volkswagen is staking its reputation on the new model.
First seen in concept form albeit with an Iroc badge at the Paris motor show in September 2006, Volkswagen fans have been waiting for the production-ready version to continue the company's reputation for fantastic coupes.
Stuart Milne took to the roads around Lisbon, Portugal to see if its a worthy successor to the original Scirocco, and the Corrado which followed.
View our EXCLUSIVE Volkswagen Scirocco slide show
Naturally beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but there's no denying the Volkswagen Scirocco is a pretty little thing.
The stylish coupe-hatchback is certain to take sales from the other chic coupe, the Audi TT, as well as somewhat confusingly the Golf GTi.
It shares a number of components with both models as well as the Volkswagen Eos, with which it shares the Scirocco's production line in Palmela, Portugal.
The production car draws inspiration from the Iroc concept, with pronounced rear haunches and a sill line which pinches in the middle. There are plenty of sporty touches, like a boot spoiler and frameless side windows, too.
And although not immediately apparent, the new model does share some design influence with the original, such as its rising waistline culminating in a kick-up line and a thick rear windscreen pillar.
Despite having the same wheelbase as the Golf GTI, the Scirocco is both longer and wider, but almost 100mm lower. Volkswagen say there's enough space to comfortably seat a 6ft 2in driver in front of a 6ft 2in rear passenger, but we found headroom restrictive for a passenger measuring 5ft 10in.
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It might not look like a Volkswagen, but the Scirocco's look is rumoured to herald the company's new design direction, so expect next year's new Golf to share some similarities; particularly as the Golfs designer, Marc Lichte was on the Scirocco team.
But while this exterior is new and exciting, the cabin is reassuringly familiar with a dash lifted straight from the Eos convertible. Sporting sober plastics, and built with the solidity we've come to expect, it really is business as usual.
One major criticism is lack of visibility the rear window looks tiny from the driver's seat, and the tapered windows make pulling out of slip roads tricky. The windscreen pillars seem excessively thick too.
Great handling
That's not to say it doesn't make the driver feel special
Out on the road, the Scirocco displays impeccable driving manners. There's very little body roll, and the steering is weighty and responsive. At higher speeds, it shines even brighter, with a grippy front end, allowing the driver to place the car on the road with ease. There's very little tendency for the front end to wash wide, and its not difficult to get the back end to twitch but play too much and the ESP will cut in to prevent any dangerous skids.
View images of the Volkswagen Scirocco at the 2008 Geneva motor show
All UK Sciroccos feature Volkswagen's Adaptive Chassis Control (ACC), which employs a number of sensors to measure braking, cornering and acceleration. It reacts instantly to ensure optimum ride comfort and handling characteristics. The system has three settings, Comfort, Normal and Sport, with the latter firming the ride, sharpening the throttle response and steering settings for a more planted and confidence-inspiring feel around bends.
This is a system similar to the ones found on the Audi TT and R8 and the Ferrari 599.
Indeed, Volkswagen says the new Scirocco is the most technologically-advanced production coupe it has ever built.
The Volkswagen Scirocco will initially be available in the UK with the Golf GTi's creamy 2-litre, 200bhp turbocharged TSI petrol engine, with a choice of a six-speed manual, or the VW Group's excellent, fast-shifting six-speed DSG semi-automatic gearbox.
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Thanks to the engine developing a considerable 206lb/ft of pulling power at just 1,700rpm as low as most diesels the benchmark 0-62mph time is covered in just 7.2 seconds before reaching 146mph.
This engine feels extremely powerful, with enough reserves to give the chassis a real workout. Emissions of 179g/km are surprisingly low for such a potent engine.
Impressive fuel efficiency
Given the performance on offer, its 37.2mpg average fuel consumption is good
In early 2009, this 2-litre turbo will be joined by a turbocharged and supercharged 1.4-litre TSI which develops a staggering 160bhp. Despite losing 40bhp to the 2-litre turbo, performance only suffers to the tune of 0.8 seconds in the 0-62mph dash and 11mph at the top end.
View our Volkswagen Scirocco slide show
We also tested this engine, and it felt nippy at lower speeds, but still able to provide a good performance on the motorway. Only on steep slopes did the 1.4 engine show signs of struggling.
But to compensate for this, the 1.4 which is available with a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG 'box can cover an average of 43.5mpg while emitting just 154g/km.
And for the first time, a Scirocco will be available with a diesel powerplant from 2009; in this case a 140bhp, 2-litre. This engine is capable of achieving an impressive 52mpg and can reach 62mph from rest in 9.3 seconds. Like the two petrols, this engine is available with a six-speed manual and a six-speed DSG.
The interior is a strictly four seat affair, with two bucket seats in the back. On a short journey in the back, we found the Scirocco quite claustrophobic with its tapered side windows, although the optional panoramic sunroof helps to create a more airy space.
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The interior is a strictly four seat affair, with two bucket seats in the back. On a short journey in the back, we found the Scirocco quite claustrophobic with its tapered side windows.
Despite the Scirocco's sweeping looks, the boot is a credible 292 litres, rising to 755 with the rear seats folded. That compares favourably with the Golf GTi, which offers 350 litres of room.
But the Scirocco doesn't have it all its own way there's a huge boot sill to lift luggage into, which will limit its practicality.
Car of the year?
Volkswagen will offer the Scirocco in two trim levels; standard and GT. Only the GT model will be available at the car's September launch, and features 18-inch alloys, four individual sports seats, touch-screen CD autochanger, ACC, climate control and a leather-trimmed steering wheel, gearstick and handbrake as standard.
Volkswagen says key options will include a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery and touch-screen sat-nav.
It also has a generous level of safety equipment, including six airbags, Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) and ABS with hydraulic brake assist.
VW predicts it'll sell around 9,000 Sciroccos a year, with around 40 per cent of them becoming company cars. And with a starting price (at launch) of £20,940 similar to a Golf GTi and a pair of fuel efficient engines alongside the turbocharged flagship, it should have no problem hitting that figure.
The Volkswagen Scirocco could just turn out to be the best car of 2008.
Video: Watch the 2008 Volkswagen Scirocco in action
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