Over 34 years after the original Volkswagen Scirocco sports coupé made its debut at the 1974 Geneva Motor Show, triggering a new era of design and paving the way for production of new vehicles which included the original Golf, the third generation went on sale.
The new VW Scirocco remains true to the formula that made the first generation Scirocco such a success - with iconic design, two doors, four seats, front engine and front wheel drive. Yet despite its historic roots, this latest car is the most dynamic and technically advanced production coupé Volkswagen has ever built.
The new Scirocco is wider and longer than the Golf GTI, but almost ten centimetres lower, emphasising its sports coupé character. Its looks are all-new, and its 'face', with the Volkswagen roundel moved from the grille to the bonnet, defined a new era of design for Volkswagen.
At launch in the UK in September 2008, just one engine and one trim level was available: the top-of-the-range 2.0-litre TSI with 200 PS in GT specification. Since then, a further 1.4-litre 160 PS TSI petrol unit and two 2.0-litre common rail TDI diesels with 140 or 170 PS have joined the line-up, along with a lower trim level.
All Sciroccos sold in the UK benefit from Adaptive Chassis Control (ACC), Volkswagen's innovative system which allows the driver to select from comfort, sport and normal modes to define the desired suspension, steering and accelerator response settings for any particular journey. Other standard equipment includes ABS with ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme), six airbags, alloy wheels and air conditioning (2Zone electronic climate control on GT models). Options include a panoramic sunroof, leather trim and touchscreen satellite navigation.
Even before launch the new generation of Volkswagen Scirocco proved extremely popular with more than 11,000 potential customers signing up to receive email updates about the new vehicle via the Volkswagen website three months prior to the car going on sale. In May 2008, a race car based on the road-going Scirocco, named the GT24, raced to success in its class at the Nürburgring 24-hour endurance rance and was invited to participate in the Supercar Run at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. With 325 PS, significantly altered dimensions and carbon fibre panels, the GT24 delighted crowds throughout the festival and paved the way for a successful market introduction of the road car
Since launch, the Volkswagen Scirocco has continued to win the hearts of motoring enthusiasts claiming a number of prestigious awards including Top Gear magazine's 'Car of the Year 2008', 'Sporting Car of the Year' in the Scottish Car of the Year Awards 2008, Sky Motoring Awards 2008 'Best All Rounder', Loaded's 'Car of the Year 2008' and What Diesel's 'Best Coupé' accolade.
Articles By : netcarshow
