The standard gearbox is a conventional six-speed manual but buyers can opt for either six or seven-speed dual-clutch DSG units. The initial lineup will consist of the 1.4L TSI, followed by a 160hp (118kW) TSI and 200hp (147kW) TSI. Diesel fans will be limited to a 140hp (103kW) TDI, although a new 122hp (90kW) diesel will be added early next year.
There are still no plans to launch the Scirocco in North America due to the current state of the U.S. dollar, and recent reports claim the weak dollar could even delay the launch of the upcoming Mark VI Golf (Rabbit) as well.
Original: After months of speculation and several leaks of official images last week, we can finally bring you all the official images and details of the new Volkswagen Scirocco sports coupe, which makes its debut today at the Geneva Motor Show, 34 years after the launch of the original model. Touted as a ‘practical sports car,’ the Scirocco merges advanced powertrain technologies with high levels of comfort and a spacious interior, and features a new transverse mounted seven-speed DSG.
First previewed in 2006 with the Iroc Concept, the Scirocco features an elongated roof, fluid flanks, an aggressive engine hood and headlights, and a broad rear end design with flared fenders and a wheel-at-each-corner design. With a length of 4.26m, the Scirocco is on par with the Golf. However, it’s built significantly lower to the ground and is nearly as wide as the Passat sedan. Four adults can be seated with plenty of space inside, and with the rear seats folded down there’s a generous 755L of storage space. The roof of the car, meanwhile, features a large panorama vent sunroof.
Powering the Scirocco range are TDI and TSI engines, all with forced-induction and direct-injection technology. The three TSI engines output 90kW (122hp), 118kW (160hp) and 147kW (200hp) respectively. The Scirocco’s common rail engine TDI engine develops a peak output of 103kW (140hp). Drive is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox or optional seven-speed DSG. The quickest version of the car sports a 200hp TSI engine with 280Nm of torque and completes the 0-100km/h dash in 7.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 235km/h, while still delivering an impressive fuel consumption figure of 31mpg (7.6L/100km)
The Scirocco will be entering the market across Europe in late summer, and other countries will follow over the course of the next year. Unfortunately for U.S. fans, there are still no plans to bring the Scirocco Stateside but this may change depending on the level of interest the car garners in other markets. All models come with an adaptive chassis control system (with ‘Normal,’ ‘Comfort,’ and ‘Sport’ modes), 17in alloy wheels, sports buckets and six airbags as standard.
Press release
Scirocco is the right choice as an affordable sports car for every day of the year
16 June 2008 - The countdown is running for the new era Scirocco: the third generation of the sports car will already be arriving on the market in August. Volkswagen is staging the comeback of a legend with the debut of the two-door car – Scirocco generations I and II wrote history as the most successful Volkswagen coupé of all time with about 800,000 units sold.
* Cult status. In particular, it is the original Scirocco presented in 1974 that has long held cult status. Because, in contrast to many of its competitors of that time, the Scirocco – designed by Giorgio Giugiaro – was an affordable car with everyday utility, and front-wheel drive also made it a safe sports car for use every day of the year.
Scirocco unites passion and logic
* Fascination. The new Scirocco is extending this tradition. It offers pure driving pleasure, a new powerful design, high-end technologies such as DCC adaptive chassis control and the new 7-speed DSG dual clutch transmission. Plus: exclusive use of efficient turbo engines with up to 147 kW / 200 PS power, space for four adults despite its sporty lines, an extremely high level of safety and the everyday utility that is typical of every Volkswagen. This mix of passion and logic costs far less than one might guess based on the car’s key data.
* New paths. Although the third generation of the Scirocco follows exactly the same positioning as the first one, Volkswagen very intentionally avoided retro elements. In this regard too, the Scirocco of the year 2008 is a conceptually counterpart to the original version: because in the mid-1970s the successor to the Karmann Ghia also set out on new paths, both technically and visually.
Front end design of a new era
* High-sheen black headlamp housing. The third Scirocco is the first Volkswagen to sport the front end design of a new era. Especially characteristic here are the chrome lamp bodies and high-sheen black interior surfaces of the headlamp housings that are joined by the radiator grille cross bar that is also painted in high-sheen black.
* Flawless sports car fundamentals. The Volkswagen design team created a wagon-coupé based on flawless sports car fundamentals. This resulted in a side profile that had the potential to imbue this new Volkswagen too with a status that goes beyond class distinctions. Thanks to its long sweeping roofline and near-vertical rear window, it also frees up space for variability and up to 755 liters of cargo capacity.
* Crisp dimensions. Other benchmark figures of the new sports car also speak a clear language. With its short overhangs, the Scirocco efficiently utilizes its 2,578 millimeter wheelbase to offer ample space. The Volkswagen is 1,404 millimeters tall, exactly 4,256 millimeters long and its width measures 1,810 millimeters.
Four turbo engines at market introduction
* A lot of power for just a little fuel. One challenge in creating an affordable sports car involves the engines. On the one hand, they must absolutely be agile, yet it is also essential that they be economical and widely affordable. There are two approaches to resolving this apparent conflict Both of them have three letters: TDI and TSI – turbocharged diesel and gasoline direct injection engines.
* One TDI and three TSIs. At the market introduction Volkswagen will offer the Scirocco with two TSI engines (118 kW / 160 PS and 147 kW / 200 PS). Shortly thereafter, a TDI (common rail turbo-diesel, 103 kW / 140 PS) and another TSI (90 kW / 122 PS) will be added to the engine lineup. Decisive here is the fact that even the 122-PS base engine offers a maximum of torque at extremely low engine speeds (200 Newton-meter starting at 1,500 rpm). Its average fuel consumption of 6.1 liters per 100 kilometers shows considerable restraint.
* 5.4 to 7.7 liters fuel consumption. The combination of maximum torque and minimum consumption is a common theme running through the entire engine lineup. In the case of the latest TSI with 160 PS, 240 Newton-meter torque contrasts with just 6.5 liters super unleaded per 100 kilometers. And even on the 200-PS TSI with its considerable 280 Newton-meter of torque, fuel consumption is just 7.7 liters. As would be expected, the TDI also makes a brilliant showing here: 320 Newton-meter of powerful torque while being satisfied with just 5.4 liters of fuel. Incidentally, all engines up to 160 PS already satisfy the future Euro-5 emissions standard*.
Two crisply shifting dual clutch transmissions
* 6-speed and 7-speed DSG. Standard equipment on the Scirocco is the smoothly and precisely shifting 6-speed transmission. The DSG dual clutch transmission is offered as an option on the three engines starting at 140 PS. A 6-speed DSG is used with the TDI and the powerful 200 PS TSI. The 160-PS TSI distributes its power over an even broader range of gears with the 7-speed DSG.
Optional sport chassis with three level settings
* Clever Chassis. Ideally tailored to the Scirocco is the new DCC adaptive chassis control system. Not only is the damper characteristic controlled here, but also tuning of the electro-mechanical power steering. Adaptive chassis control offers the three programs “Normal”, “Sport” and “Comfort”. Significant here is the fact that adaptive chassis control improves the driving characteristics of the Scirocco full-time. That is, the suspension is continually adapted to the roadway and driving situation. The system also reacts to accelerator, brake and steering inputs. It is able to resolve the conflict in goals between a tight sport suspension and a comfortable one.
Standard features
* Full program. The new Scirocco is one of the most attractive sports cars in terms of price. And yet its standard features place it on the same level as far more expensive coupés. Always on board are 17-inch alloy wheels, height-adjustable driver and front passenger seats, leather steering wheel, parking brake handle and shifting lever grip, sport seats, split folding rear seatbacks, power windows, air conditioning, ESP, braking assistant, six airbags, power steering and of course a sport chassis. On the top 200 PS model, standard equipment also includes chrome tailpipes, a “Titanium black” roof liner and a sound generator.
Panorama vent sunroof
* Transparent roof. Supplying vast amounts of light to the interior is an optional large panorama vent sunroof that extends from the A-pillars to the B-pillars. At the press of the button the transparent roof opens up to 39 millimeters. When the sun is intense, a sunshade can be driven into place. But that is not likely to be necessary very often, since the glass of the panorama vent sunroof only transmits 8.2 percent of the UV radiation, 2.8 percent of the infrared radiation (heat) and 6.9 percent of the visible light.
Scirocco - Fact Sheet
Key aspects in alphabetical order
Automatic transmission: 6-speed and 7-speed DSG
Body: With panorama vent sunroof upon request
Cargo capacity: 292 liters to 755 liters
Character: Genuine, affordable sports car with space for four adults, status beyond class distinctions
Chassis: McPherson front suspension, four-link rear suspension, ESP is standard
Colors: “Candy white”, “Rising blue metallic”, “Deep black pearl effect”, “Reflex silver metallic”, “Shadow blue metallic”, “Beryllium gray metallic”, “Dark maroon metallic”, “Opal silver metallic”, “Salsa red”, “Viper green metallic” (the latter in homage to the first generation of Sciroccos)
Debut of generation I: 1974; 504,153 units built
Debut of generation II: 1981; 291,497 units built
Design: Visual look of flawless sports car fundamentals, first Volkswagen with new front end design, wagon-coupé with extremely long roof (1.8 meters). Design responsibility: Walter de Silva (Group), Klaus Bischoff (Brand)
Dimensions: 4,256 mm long, 1,810 mm wide, 1,404 mm tall, extremely wide tread width (front 1,569 mm, rear 1,575 mm)
Drive: Front-wheel
Engine power range: 90 kW / 122 PS to 147 kW / 200 PS, all engines are charged, all engines up to 160 PS satisfy Euro-5 emissions standard*
Engines – diesel (TDI): 103 kW / 140 PS, 125 kW / 170 PS
Engines – gasoline (TSI): 90 kW / 122 PS, 118 kW / 160 PS, 147 kW / 200 PS
Fuel consumption range: 5.4 to 7.7 liters fuel per 100 kilometers
High-tech driving systems: DCC adaptive chassis control, ACC automatic distance control (starting early 2009)
Infotainment: Two radio systems, two radio-navigation systems, 300 Watt Dynaudio sound system, MEDIA-IN port (USB)
Market introduction: August 29, 2008 in Germany and Great Britain, by November across Europe, in May 2009 in Japan
Production site: “Volkswagen Autoeuropa – Automóveis Ltda.” in Palmela, Portugal
Racing use: At the start of the 24-hour race on the Nürburgring in May 2008 with powerful 238 kW / 325 PS racing version; results: double victory in its class.
Safety: Six airbags, exceptionally rigid body, ESP, Isofix child seat mounting brackets, special pedestrian protection features, front passenger airbag can be deactivated (for rear-facing child seat), in case of crash: automatic activation of hazard flasher and interior lights, automatic door opening, automatic deactivation of fuel pump
Standard features: Include 17-inch alloy wheels, height-adjustable driver and front passenger seats, leather steering wheel and parking brake handle, newly designed sport seat system, split folding rear seatbacks, power windows, air conditioning, ESP, braking assistant, six airbags, power steering with countersteer feature, sport chassis
Standard transmission: 6-speed manual
Reader Comments
Mon Mar 3 2008 3:41 PM
mlevere1992 says
Apparently they are leaving room for tuners or a GTI\R Version. Only 7.2 seconds for a turbo? but I guess the R32 does it in 6.5, according to the VW website.
Mon Mar 3 2008 7:33 PM
Gus says
That still seems slow these days when a Honda Accord can almost beat it.
I'd say 5 flat is a good starting point for any sports car these days.
Tue Mar 4 2008 5:37 AM
cj says
flat 5 is a bit optomistic but I cant see it happening in a jumped up Golf when you think that a 335i does it in 5.2 and that has a twin turbo 3.0 engine (although unofficially it is regarded to do it in 4.8 but so as not to step on the M3s toes its more conservative)
Sat Mar 8 2008 8:25 AM
javier says
it´s fantastic i would like knowing how long will it cost? if it doesn´t cost more than golf coupe it´s likely that i will bu it
Sat Mar 8 2008 8:26 AM
javier says
it´s fantastic i would like knowing hlw long will it cost? if it doesn´t cost more than golf coupe it´s likely that i will buy it
Thu Apr 24 2008 3:20 PM
lexlife says
PLEASE bring this model to the US as an AWD HO, yet fuel efficient model and I would buy one is a heartbeat!!!!!! PLEASE reconsider your decision to keep this vehicle in Europe.
Mon Jun 16 2008 8:33 AM
mlevere1992 says
I would love to see this in the US as well. I wish we could get more of the Europe offerings in the US. At least Ford is going in the right direction.
Mon Jun 16 2008 8:43 AM
PJE says
You can understand why they don't want to sell it in the USA. Over here they could only charge $30K for a well equipped example, and that's substantially less than they sell for in Europe. The original comments about it competing too much with the Golf GTI is a smokescreen.
One thing I can't understand is then not wanting to bring the next gen Golf over here ASAP, as it's supposedly cheaper to build than the current car...
Mon Jun 16 2008 9:08 AM
Raptor says
What? €27,490 ($42,576)?
Thanks, but you can keep it. I'd rather take RWD 3-series for that money. Or used Mustang GT, for that matter.
Mon Jun 16 2008 9:55 AM
admin says
You realize that you can't compare car prices between the US and Europe, right?
Mon Jun 16 2008 10:08 AM
Turkle says
You cannot take the exchange rate and simply assume that is what VW will sell this car at. Look at volkswagen.de and price out the GTI. The Konfigurator has it priced at $27,500(Euro), which would be $43K(USD). Would you pay that for a GTI? Obviously not.
If this car was brought to North America, I would expect it to be priced above the Rabbits and the GTI, but with a basic package that offers more than both of them.
Oh, this car would pull me to a VW dealership, but there is not a car on their lots right now that even interests me.
Mon Jun 16 2008 11:04 AM
lexlife says
I LOVE this car. I wish VW could bring it here. This would be my PERFECT commuter. As PJE said however $30-35K max for the states.
Mon Jun 16 2008 11:07 AM
mike says
hello,
in germany the 90KW scirocco starts at 21.750 euro, the 147KW at 25.500 euro
Mon Jun 16 2008 2:50 PM
gear_shift says
Those are not european prices. Change the title.
Those are prices for Portugal. Cars are very very expensive there... Loads and loads of taxes...
In fact, that's where the car is made... and where the pictures were taken...
Take this post with a scirocco sized grain of salt...
Mon Jun 16 2008 3:08 PM
Raptor says
Yes admin, I know I can't compare prices in US with those over here :)
But still, over 20 k € for basic car? That's a little over the top. Especially because I get used Mustangs for that money, and they smoke this VW anyday. But it's a matter of personal taste. I like Scirocco, but it's not on top of my list. I guess I have a crush on american wheels :D
Tue Jun 17 2008 4:49 AM
Gerard says
Be aware that this is the DUTCH price, including 42% LUXURY TAX and 19% VAT!!!!! The car is much cheaper in Germany!
Tue Jun 17 2008 6:47 AM
admin says
The original €27,490 figure was the price of the car in a handful of European countries, including taxes. The story has since been updated with the car's base price in the UK without taxes.
Tue Jun 17 2008 7:02 AM
Onur says
alloy wheels are awesome. same as passat coupe wheels. a product of CMS wheels, an European OEM + aftermarket supplier.
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