Resurrecting an old favourite is always risky, but as Paddy Comyndiscovers, VW have done well with their new Scirocco
HERE IS one you just hoped they wouldn't get wrong. For a generation of drivers in the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s, the Scirocco was the perfect everyday sports car. It became an instant icon. But considering the mess that they made of the Beetle, would Volkswagen's resurrected legend turn out to be stillborn?
Certainly if the concept car, the Iroc, was anything to go by, then the early signs were good. Shown at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, it gave us an early clue as to how the new Scirocco would look.
Two years on and the production model shows few external differences to the show car, sitting squat and alert, and with one version at the international launch painted in a dazzling green colour, reminiscent of Kermit the frog on steroids. But Miss Piggy would certainly approve. We seldom get really blown away by design anymore.
Unlike the Sciroccos of old, the new model is more like a hatchback than a coupé, with a roofline that doesn't taper off as dramatically. This allows for decent headroom in the back and as long as you aren't a giant, you can actually sit in the back of the new car quite comfortably.
The cockpit is not as dramatic as the exterior might suggest, with much of it lifted from the Eos model. Some colours used are a little on the drab side, but its all very teutonic and functional. The flat-bottomed steering wheel feels great though, and the driving position really can't be faulted.
The Scirocco has a wider track and stiffer body than the Golf GTi and features newly developed DCC adaptive chassis control - an optional extra which adapts the suspension damping to the specific roadway and for individual wheels full time, based on signals from three body sensors and three wheel sensors.
These dampers can stiffen in fractions of a second in response to the conditions or the driver can choose Sport or Comfort modes, depending on their whim. Even the standard car features quite a stiff and sporty set-up. Its not bone shaking, although the ride will be affected by your choice of alloy wheel, but push the car hard and you will notice a little more crash from the suspension than in the Golf.
First up for us was the 2.0-litre TFSI engine with 200bhp, the same as you will find in the GTi and the familiar low-down bellow from this engine sounds and feels great. It's mated to the brilliant six-speed DSG, double-clutch, transmission which provided seamless, rapid gear changes.
The car sits really well on the road, with virtually no body roll even through tight bends. The steering could do with a little more feedback. It goes where you point it, but there just isn't enough communication from the road to your hands.
Other engine options are the 1.4 TSI with 122bhp, the 1.4 TSI with a turbocharger and supercharger with 160bhp, and a 2.0-litre diesel with 140bhp or 170bhp will follow. We tried the 160bhp 1.4-litre with a manual gearbox in addition to the 200bhp version and it was fantastic. This might be the one to go for as a nice balance and it is available with a new seven-speed DSG. However, the low-emissions on the diesel versions may make them an irresistible buy.
Is it better to drive than the GTi? It is hard to tell just yet. We need to try it on Irish roads to get the full experience.
What is clear is that this car will sell like the proverbial hot cakes.
Not only will it tug the heart strings of anyone who spent time in its ancestor, but with prices likely to start at the early €30,000 mark, then expect the queues to start forming soon for the car's September release. First to arrive will be the 2.0-litre 200bhp version, with the others to follow early next year. Volkswagen Ireland will issue prices in the next two to three weeks.
It would appear that Volkswagen will be the top of its own class with the new Scirocco. It is a very likeable car and its success is something of a given.