VW's latest Scirocco is a super coupe
We touched on the new VW Scirocco last week in our report from the Geneva Motor Show, so here are more details and a decent-sized picture to go with them.
Based on the Golf but bigger, the coupe is almost two inches lower and wider than the hatchback. And although it has the same wheelbase, it is two inches longer.
There's a flat-bottomed steering wheel - a gimmick nicked from motor racing but not exactly necessary on a road car - and instruments which glow white in the dark.
The standard gearbox is a six-speed manual with a six-speed, twin-clutch DSG semi-automatic gearbox as an option.
AdvertisementBased on the Golf but bigger, the coupe is almost two inches lower and wider than the hatchback. And although it has the same wheelbase, it is two inches longer.
There's a flat-bottomed steering wheel - a gimmick nicked from motor racing but not exactly necessary on a road car - and instruments which glow white in the dark.
The standard gearbox is a six-speed manual with a six-speed, twin-clutch DSG semi-automatic gearbox as an option.
Later it will be available with VW's new seven-speed DSG gearbox if six aren't enough for you.
Like the original, the new Scirocco is front-wheel drive and powered by a fourcylinder engine.
At first it will come with a petrol 200bhp TSi engine (TS stands for turbocharged and supercharged) but later this year a diesel engine will be available as well as a few extra TSi engines with varying power outputs.
Volkswagen hasn't said anything but I'd be surprised if there wasn't a more gutsy version with a V6 engine and VW's Haldex 4x4 system on the cards. Just a guess.
The Scirocco is a full fourseater with bucket seats.
And despite being a coupe there's plenty of headroom for those in the back, unlike the original Scirocco.
With rear seats in place there's 292 litres of luggage space and with them down a total of 755 litres.
Vw says the Scirocco has one of the most sophisticated suspension systems it has ever devised.
An adaptive chassis control system allows the driver to select between comfort, normal and sport settings.
And six airbags and a stability control system are standard, as well as ABS with hydraulic brake assist.
The new Scirocco looks like being a top motor. Only problem is, prices start at 20 grand.
But if you fancy some cut-price coupe motoring, the answer may be to look at some of Volkswagen's past efforts - the original Scirocco and the later Corrado which I detail below.
Scirocco Mk 1
The original Scirocco was designed by Italian genius Giorgetto Giugiaro who also created the Golf. Both cars were launched in 1974 and became big hits.
The Scirocco was actually constructed by a coachbuilder called Karmann which had also built the original Beetle convertible.
On its first outing the Scirocco came with a frankly feeble 1.3-litre engine with only 60bhp. Bigger engines followed - culminating in a 1.8-litre 16-valve motor with 139bhp.
That finally gave the car the performance it looked like it had from the beginning with a top speed of 129mph and 0-62mph in 8.1sec.
A mkii version was launched in 1981 with a different chassis and slightly rounder bodywork that reduced drag.
Which One To Buy? Top choice is the Storm version with leather interior and 1.8-litre, fuel-injected engine. The later MKIIs (in production up until 1993) don't look as nice but are far more plentiful.
What To Look Out For: Rust, possibly lots of it. The mechanical parts are tough and easy to replace - tatty and holed bodywork is another matter.
How Much? The owners' club is the place to start for good MKIs.
MKIIs are more common and start as low as £500. For another grand you'll get a nice example from the late-80s or early-90s. Over two grand for top examples with low miles.
Vw Corrado
Vw launched the Corrado in 1989 and although it wasn't as pretty as the original Scirocco it had a lot to offer drivers - especially under the bonnet.
The car was launched in the UK with a 2.0-litre, 16-valve engine that gave 136bhp.
Later, a supercharged version called the G60 arrived with 160bhp.
Best of all was the last arrival - the 2.9-litre VR6.
This big lump sounded gruff and macho and had a stonking 190bhp to match.
A VR6 Corrado was thirsty but could do almost 150mph.
Which One To Buy? The VR6 is a great car and like the Scirocco was available in upmarket Storm spec with leather seats.
It'll cost you in fuel, but this is the one to have.
What To Look Out For: There's less of a problem with rust with the Corrado. But the VR6s are complicated and dear to sort out (gaskets blowing was a problem), so if you're low on funds stick with the 2-litre.
How Much? Early non-supercharged cars start at about £1,000. For the VR6 Storm models you're looking at around £5,000 for a sound unmodified car with high miles from around 1995. Add another couple of thousand for lowmileage and mint condition.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/motoring/hammond/2008/03/14/wind-of-change-89520-20350351/
Like the original, the new Scirocco is front-wheel drive and powered by a fourcylinder engine.
At first it will come with a petrol 200bhp TSi engine (TS stands for turbocharged and supercharged) but later this year a diesel engine will be available as well as a few extra TSi engines with varying power outputs.
Volkswagen hasn't said anything but I'd be surprised if there wasn't a more gutsy version with a V6 engine and VW's Haldex 4x4 system on the cards. Just a guess.
The Scirocco is a full fourseater with bucket seats.
And despite being a coupe there's plenty of headroom for those in the back, unlike the original Scirocco.
With rear seats in place there's 292 litres of luggage space and with them down a total of 755 litres.
Vw says the Scirocco has one of the most sophisticated suspension systems it has ever devised.
An adaptive chassis control system allows the driver to select between comfort, normal and sport settings.
And six airbags and a stability control system are standard, as well as ABS with hydraulic brake assist.
The new Scirocco looks like being a top motor. Only problem is, prices start at 20 grand.
But if you fancy some cut-price coupe motoring, the answer may be to look at some of Volkswagen's past efforts - the original Scirocco and the later Corrado which I detail below.
Scirocco Mk 1
The original Scirocco was designed by Italian genius Giorgetto Giugiaro who also created the Golf. Both cars were launched in 1974 and became big hits.
The Scirocco was actually constructed by a coachbuilder called Karmann which had also built the original Beetle convertible.
On its first outing the Scirocco came with a frankly feeble 1.3-litre engine with only 60bhp. Bigger engines followed - culminating in a 1.8-litre 16-valve motor with 139bhp.
That finally gave the car the performance it looked like it had from the beginning with a top speed of 129mph and 0-62mph in 8.1sec.
A mkii version was launched in 1981 with a different chassis and slightly rounder bodywork that reduced drag.
Which One To Buy? Top choice is the Storm version with leather interior and 1.8-litre, fuel-injected engine. The later MKIIs (in production up until 1993) don't look as nice but are far more plentiful.
What To Look Out For: Rust, possibly lots of it. The mechanical parts are tough and easy to replace - tatty and holed bodywork is another matter.
How Much? The owners' club is the place to start for good MKIs.
MKIIs are more common and start as low as £500. For another grand you'll get a nice example from the late-80s or early-90s. Over two grand for top examples with low miles.
Vw Corrado
Vw launched the Corrado in 1989 and although it wasn't as pretty as the original Scirocco it had a lot to offer drivers - especially under the bonnet.
The car was launched in the UK with a 2.0-litre, 16-valve engine that gave 136bhp.
Later, a supercharged version called the G60 arrived with 160bhp.
Best of all was the last arrival - the 2.9-litre VR6.
This big lump sounded gruff and macho and had a stonking 190bhp to match.
A VR6 Corrado was thirsty but could do almost 150mph.
Which One To Buy? The VR6 is a great car and like the Scirocco was available in upmarket Storm spec with leather seats.
It'll cost you in fuel, but this is the one to have.
What To Look Out For: There's less of a problem with rust with the Corrado. But the VR6s are complicated and dear to sort out (gaskets blowing was a problem), so if you're low on funds stick with the 2-litre.
How Much? Early non-supercharged cars start at about £1,000. For the VR6 Storm models you're looking at around £5,000 for a sound unmodified car with high miles from around 1995. Add another couple of thousand for lowmileage and mint condition.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/motoring/hammond/2008/03/14/wind-of-change-89520-20350351/
