The VW Scirocco is back. VWSA introduced the two-door 4-seater (it has four individual seats, two front two rear) car to motoring media in sunny KwaZulu Natal where it was given the chance to strut its stuff under different driving conditions. “Scirocco” by the way, is pronounced “she-rogo” with the “g” said in the seTswana/ Afrikaans way. The word itself is the name of a wind that blows in the Sahara desert through the Mediterranean, northern Africa and southern Europe.
Although the car is available in other markets as a 2.0-litre TDI, Mzansi will only get three petrol derivatives; a 1.4-litre TSI (118kW), 2.0-litre TSI 6-speed manual and a 2.0-litre TSI 6-speed DSG with paddleshifts behind the steering wheel. The sound it makes when changing gears up or down is one that induces feelings of immense pleasure for the driver, thus begging him to push a little more. For now only the DSG is available for sale and damn does it deliver.
The engine is essentially different in componentry and design from the current GTI’s although it makes the exact amount of power which is 147kW at 5100rpm and maximum torque of 280Nm between 1700 and 5000rpm. VW says it will do the 0 – 100km/h time in 7.1 seconds which is 0.2 seconds more than what was claimed for the 3-door GTI when it was launched 3 years ago. I wasn’t able to test this claim myself but there’s very little reason to doubt it.
Perhaps more important than the 0 – 100km/h time is the handling. It’s always a challenge making a front-wheel-driven car handle as well as a rear-wheeler. VW have done a commendable job in allowing the Scirocco a lot of the properties afforded to a RWD such as the ability to lose the back a bit when traction control is switched off. Some call this the fun factor. There’s no shortage of that in the Scirocco.
This car is not merely a Golf with two less doors, it’s a proper sports car with a modified suspension system with altered springs and dampers to accommodate its lower stance. It actually sits on a wider track than a Golf and you can see it.
In standard form it is fitted with 17-inch alloys with tyres sizes of 225/45. The front grille features the VW family’s new “smile” design on the upper level while the lower part has honeycomb styling. The rear end follows on this simplistic look by providing very clean lines, a roof spoiler, two exhaust pipes and 3D lights. Other standard features include a leather-covered sports steering wheel, climate control and power windows. Options include bi-xenon lights, a panoramic sunroof and a Dynaudio 300W sound system. The highest-spec version will feature a 30GB hard drive with satellite navigation.
VW is launching the new Golf 6 range and the new 155kW GTI in Mzansi within the next few months and it will be interesting to watch how they price the GTI in relation to the Scirocco. For the latter has similar amounts of power, sits one less person, carries almost as much luggage in the boot but is more sporting.
Scirocco is not a new name in the VW family. The first Scirocco was launched in 1974 as a two-door coupe for people who were looking for good driving fun but could not afford a Porsche 911. It went on the sell over 790 000 units by the year 1992 under three different generations.
That same philosophy still applies today when you consider what you get for the price. It may not outgun a 911 but it is undoubtedly a lot of laughs to drive. Rumours say an R20 T version making 195kW is on the horizon.
Volkswagen Scirocco pricing:
1.4TSI (second quarter 2009)
R282 000
2.0-litre TSI 6-speed manual (second quarter 2009)
R322 000
2.0-litre TSI 6-speed DSG (immediate)
R336 500
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