Motor Authority - blog Tag: Scirocco

  • JE Design cranks the VW Scirocco 2.0 TDI up to 205hp

    JE Design cranks the VW Scirocco 2.0 TDI up to 205hp America's love affair with diesel is just being rekindled, but in Europe, it's already in full swing. But even now diesel isn't typically associated with high-performance. JE Design is hoping to change that perception with its new Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TDI.

    To make its case, JE starts with boosting the 2.0L TDI engine's output from 140hp (103kW) to 180hp (133kW) and 295lb-ft (400Nm), enough to push top speed on from the stock 128mph (207km/h) to 132mph (213km/h). Not a huge improvement, but the gain in torque and power makes performance more accessible at every-day speeds. Zero-62mph (100km/h) times are cut by almost a full second to 8.4... America's love affair with diesel is just being rekindled, but in Europe, it's already in full swing. But even now diesel isn't typically associated with high-performance. JE Design is hoping to change that perception with its new Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TDI. To make its case, JE starts with boosting the 2.0L TDI engine's output from 140hp (103kW) to 180hp (133kW) and 295lb-ft (400Nm), enough to push top speed on from the stock 128mph (207km/h) to 132mph (213km/h). Not a huge improvement, but the gain in torque and power makes performance more accessible at every-day speeds. Zero-62mph (100km/h) times are cut by almost a full second to 8.4 seconds. Tuning the slightly more potent 2.0 TDI GT trim offers an even bigger power jump: up to a maximum of 205hp (171kW) and 302lb-ft (410Nm) of torque. That's good for 0-62mph times of just 7.1 seconds - matching the Audi A3 2.0T S-line, a legitimately hot little hatch in its own right, and a petrol burner. In addition to the performance aids, JE Design also throws in a complete body kit made of ABS plastic and CNC milled to ensure a good fit. Gullwing doors can also be had if the rest of the kit just isn't enough, starting from €1,549. For those Europeans in the market for a diesel sportser, the price may be a bit of a sticking point once it's all added up, but it's availble piecemeal too, starting off at €1,249 for the 180hp kit, €1,449 for th 205hp kit, and another €919 for the body kit. Throw in the €899 exhaust and €299 lowering springs, however, and the grand total coems up to about €6,300 ($8,800). That's a steep premium, and the €2,810 ($4,000) 19x8in wheels aren't even added in yet, much less the 235/35 19in tires that wrap them. JE Design has already taken on the standard Scirocco, which you can check out here.2010 Volkswagen Scirocco GT TDIJE Design Volkswagen Scirocco TDI Read More
  • Volkswagen Scirocco R debuts at Nurburgring 24-hour race

    Volkswagen Scirocco R debuts at Nurburgring 24-hour race All our American readers look away because pictured here is a new high-performance variant of the Volkswagen Scirocco coupe, a car that has officially been ruled out for U.S. sale. VW first hinted at a new high-performance version of the Scirocco when it revealed the GT24 race concept back at the Austrian Wörthersee Tour tuning show in May of 2008, and then followed it up with the Scirocco Study R concept at the Bologna Motor Show that same year.

    The new performance variant is called the Scirocco R and it has just been unveiled at the Nurburgring 24-hour endurance race, which kicks off today and continues over the weekend at the famous... All our American readers look away because pictured here is a new high-performance variant of the Volkswagen Scirocco coupe, a car that has officially been ruled out for U.S. sale. VW first hinted at a new high-performance version of the Scirocco when it revealed the GT24 race concept back at the Austrian Wörthersee Tour tuning show in May of 2008, and then followed it up with the Scirocco Study R concept at the Bologna Motor Show that same year. The new performance variant is called the Scirocco R and it has just been unveiled at the Nurburgring 24-hour endurance race, which kicks off today and continues over the weekend at the famous German circuit. Key features lifted from the previous concepts include the aggressively styled bumper with larger intakes and unique daytime running lights, 18in wheels, and slightly wider fenders plus a lowered ride height. The Scirocco R delivers 265hp (198kW) and 258lb-ft (350Nm) and comes with a six-speed manual or optional dual-clutch DSG. This should see the sporty coupe accelerate from 0-62mph (100km/h) in around six seconds and easily reach an electronically limited top speed of 155mph (250km/h). Incidentally, the car’s engine is the same 2.0L TFSI unit found in the Audi S3 and it should be appearing in a new R version of the Golf, which you can see in our previous spy shot story. VW has decided to stick with a FWD layout though the addition of the company’s new XDS electronic differential should help with the handling. The XDS electronic transverse differential lock is an extension of the electronic limited-slip differential (EDS) integrated in the stability system. In fast cornering, as soon as the car’s electronics detects that the wheel at the inside of the curve on the front axle is starting to slip, the stability system hydraulics builds up braking pressure at this wheel to restore traction. In essence, XDS acts as a type of transverse differential lock that compensates for the understeering that is typical on FWD vehicles when driving fast through corners. First sales are scheduled to start in September following a world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show that same month.2010 Volkswagen Scirocco R Read More
  • Spy shots: Volkswagen Scirocco R20

    Spy shots: Volkswagen Scirocco R20 Volkswagen has unveiled its new Scirocco R, which you can read all about by clicking here.

    All our American readers look away because pictured here is a new high-performance variant of the Volkswagen Scirocco coupe, a car that has officially been ruled out for U.S. sale. VW first hinted at a new high-performance version of the Scirocco coupe when it revealed the GT24 race concept back at the Austrian Wörthersee Tour tuning show last May, and then the carmaker followed it up with the Scirocco Study R concept at last year’s Bologna Motor Show.

    The new model will be called the Scirocco R20 and it’s expected to make its debut... Volkswagen has unveiled its new Scirocco R, which you can read all about by clicking here. All our American readers look away because pictured here is a new high-performance variant of the Volkswagen Scirocco coupe, a car that has officially been ruled out for U.S. sale. VW first hinted at a new high-performance version of the Scirocco coupe when it revealed the GT24 race concept back at the Austrian Wörthersee Tour tuning show last May, and then the carmaker followed it up with the Scirocco Study R concept at last year’s Bologna Motor Show. The new model will be called the Scirocco R20 and it’s expected to make its debut alongside a Golf-based variant at this month’s Nurburgring 24 hour endurance race. Key features lifted from the concept include the aggressively styled bumper with larger intakes and unique fog lights, as well as the slightly wider fenders and lower ride height. Don’t be fooled by the sponsor logos plastered over the car’s body. The prototype has been disguised as a race car but a peek inside reveals the car has its rear seats fully intact and there’s no roll cage, which means this is a production model. Both the Scirocco and Golf R20 models are expected to deliver 270hp (201kW) and be fitted with a six-speed manual and AWD. A dual-clutch DSG is also expected to be featured as an option, allowing for 0-62mph (100km/h) sprint times in the five second bracket. Unlike its fellow Euro-competition - the Renault Megane RS and Ford Focus RS - the R20 will capitalize on AWD for superior performance and handling. First sales should start in Europe by the end of the year, while American fans can still look forward to the Golf R20 as this car will be replacing the MkV R32 model and should be on sale in local showrooms also by the end of the year.2009 Volkswagen Scirocco R2008 Volkswagen Scirocco R design study2010 Volkswagen Scirocco R20 spy shots Read More
  • Volkswagen adds sporty GT TDI to Scirocco lineup

    Volkswagen adds sporty GT TDI to Scirocco lineup It’s bad enough that Volkswagen has ruled out its handsome Scirocco Coupe for U.S. sale, but to add insult to injury the carmaker in the process of developing a range of new exciting performance versions. While the 270hp (201kW) R20 model seen testing in Germany is still several months away from launch, a new performance diesel variant of the Scirocco has just been launched.

    The car is fitted with the same 2.0L turbodiesel engine as the recently revealed Golf GTD and is rated at 170hp (127kW) and 258lb-ft (350Nm) of torque. This engine fully complies with tough Euro 5 emissions standards, yet still accelerates the car from 0-100km/h... It’s bad enough that Volkswagen has ruled out its handsome Scirocco Coupe for U.S. sale, but to add insult to injury the carmaker in the process of developing a range of new exciting performance versions. While the 270hp (201kW) R20 model seen testing in Germany is still several months away from launch, a new performance diesel variant of the Scirocco has just been launched. The car is fitted with the same 2.0L turbodiesel engine as the recently revealed Golf GTD and is rated at 170hp (127kW) and 258lb-ft (350Nm) of torque. This engine fully complies with tough Euro 5 emissions standards, yet still accelerates the car from 0-100km/h in 8.1 seconds when equipped with VW’s six-speed DSG (a six-speed manual is also available). At full-throttle, the Scirocco GT TDI will be able to reach a top speed of around 222km/h. While the acceleration figures don’t seem that impressive for the GT TDI, the torquey nature of the engine and low-end pulling power should ensure performance fans won’t be too disappointed - the peak torque of 258lb-ft (350Nm) comes on at just 1,750rpm. However, fuel consumption is where the car really shines, with a claimed fuel-economy of 44.4mpg (5.3L/100km) for the European cycle. Combine this with the car’s 55L fuel tank and theoretically it will be able to drive over 1,000km on a single fill. In keeping with the performance nature of the car, VW’s Adaptive Chassis Control damper adjustment is fitted as standard. The system allows the driver to select from normal, comfort or sport modes to define the desired suspension and steering response settings for the conditions. Other standard features include a six-stacker CD player, six airbags, electronic stability control and optional 19in Lugano wheels.High-res Volkswagen Scirocco images leak2010 Volkswagen Scirocco GT TDI Read More
  • VW returns to Nurburgring with Scirocco GT24 CNG race car

    VW returns to Nurburgring with Scirocco GT24 CNG race car At the Nurburgring 24 hour endurance race on 23 and 24 May, Volkswagen will field two Scirocco race car concepts that have been modified to run on compressed natural gas (CNG). Last year, VW clinched a one-two victory in the 2.0L turbo class even before the Scirocco's market launch with the standard petrol version of the GT24, and this year the carmaker intends on highlighting the performance potential of more environmentally-friendly fuels.

    The two Scirocco GT24-CNG 2.0L turbo engines powered by natural gas deliver nearly 300hp (225kW). In addition, the "factory" team will also field three further Scirocco GT24 cars powered by 2.0L turbo... At the Nurburgring 24 hour endurance race on 23 and 24 May, Volkswagen will field two Scirocco race car concepts that have been modified to run on compressed natural gas (CNG). Last year, VW clinched a one-two victory in the 2.0L turbo class even before the Scirocco's market launch with the standard petrol version of the GT24, and this year the carmaker intends on highlighting the performance potential of more environmentally-friendly fuels. The two Scirocco GT24-CNG 2.0L turbo engines powered by natural gas deliver nearly 300hp (225kW). In addition, the "factory" team will also field three further Scirocco GT24 cars powered by 2.0L turbo petrol engines in the classic endurance race. The Scirocco GT24 has already proved its strengths as a complete sports package by winning in its class last year. This year, VW is taking a step forward by using two different engine concepts in the hope to determine ideal efficiency, dynamics and reliability. For the CNG engine, VW primarily focused on the fuel induction system of the unit as well as pushing the turbocharger to the limit in terms of stable temperature. The benefit of using CNG, as opposed to petrol, is 25% lower carbon-dioxide emissions and almost no particulate matter or fine dust. The use of the Scirocco GT24 race cars also serve another purpose. The aggressively styled race cars provide a hint as to the final design of the upcoming Scirocco R20, which has been captured recently testing at the Nurburgring and is due to go on sale by the end of the year.Volkswagen Scirocco GT24 concept2009 Volkswagen Scirocco GT24 CNG race car Read More
  • Volkswagen cans Scirocco for U.S. to avoid competition with GTI

    Volkswagen cans Scirocco for U.S. to avoid competition with GTI Volkswagen has consistently dismissed rumors the new Scirocco would be sold in the United States and about a year ago the carmaker’s sales and marketing chief Detlef Wittig blamed a weak U.S. dollar for the decision. Now VW's Tom Wegehaupt has put the kibosh on the U.S. Scirocco due to fear of cannibalization of GTI sales.

    High interest from U.S. fans kept driving rumors that the car would still be coming to America, however, including a report that VW was considering releasing a limited-edition, high-powered model positioned above the Golf family's range-topping GTI.

    The hopes were pegged on a strengthening dollar and the plan to... Volkswagen has consistently dismissed rumors the new Scirocco would be sold in the United States and about a year ago the carmaker’s sales and marketing chief Detlef Wittig blamed a weak U.S. dollar for the decision. Now VW's Tom Wegehaupt has put the kibosh on the U.S. Scirocco due to fear of cannibalization of GTI sales. High interest from U.S. fans kept driving rumors that the car would still be coming to America, however, including a report that VW was considering releasing a limited-edition, high-powered model positioned above the Golf family's range-topping GTI. The hopes were pegged on a strengthening dollar and the plan to protect itself from overlapping segments by introducing high-end models. But in the end it's all for naught. "I can confirm Scirocco will not be coming to the U.S.," Wegehaupt told Edmunds at the New York Auto Show. "We couldn't make the business case for it. It would compete against the GTI, since it's the same powertrain with a body-style change." Some might argue that the Audi A3 is in the same boat with regards to a similar powertrain, though it is undoubtedly targeted at a different segment. And the Scirocco isn't suited to going below the GTI's market position, leaving it only to compete with the GTI. For all the lamenting of U.S. fans of the Scirocco's look that's sure to take place, it's a good business decision, and one that many critics of the American carmakers will be all too glad to see VW make.Volkswagen Scirocco beauty shots Read More

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