Monday 17th February 2014

Scirocco R returns with 280hp

Updated VW Scirocco includes 280hp R version with a turbo engine pinched from the newest Golf R

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The VW Scirocco R is back this September as part of a range refresh that hands the hottest model the newest version of VW's two-litre turbo engine, now making 280hp. The current 265hp R version of the Golf-based coupe was actually dropped last year as part of an EU-imposed timeout because the engine wasn't clean enough.

Engines now up to date, styling left alone

The new one, due to be revealed at the Geneva motor show, solves that with the inclusion of the E888 unit that also does service in the Golf R and GTI. So expect an even quicker dash to 62mph than the old R's 5.8 second sprint, even if the limited top speed will stay at 155mph, and "19 per cent better fuel economy".

What the Scirocco won't get is the trick active limited-slip differential available as a option on the Golf GTI and standard on the new SEAT Leon Cupra. This is likely because the Scirocco is still based on the old Mk6 Golf and doesn't use the much shared MQB platform used by the current Golf. Elsewhere in the new all-turbo Scirocco range, there's a lower-powered version of that E888 2.0-litre engine making 220hp, up from the 210hp in the equivalent current car.

There's also a new 180hp 2.0-litre turbo petrol that busts all downsizing conventions by actually replacing the 160hp supercharged and turbocharged 1.4-litre engine but also offering better economy (no figures were given). If you can handle more line-up confusion, the entry 1.4 TSI stays, but now gets 125hp instead of 122hp. There's also a 2.0-litre diesel in two states of tune.

More dials = more power in the retro mould

The facelift would be tricky to spot without a side-by-side comparison, but look carefully at the R's upper engine grille and you can spot uprights where before there were none and the bumper is a tad more pronounced. Same for the back bumper, where two grilles have sprung up either side. The rear lights on all the new cars are now LEDs, with the LED driving lights up front incorporated into the headlights.

Inside the tweaked dash is given a new dashtop pod of instruments, consisting of chronometer, charge pressure and oil temperature gauges, in what VW calls a tribute to the 1974 model.

The Scirocco isn't a massive seller, shifting just 11,700 in the whole of Europe last year, but the changes should keep things fresh until (hopefully) VW can build a new coupe off the MQB platform and do things like strip weight and add even more power, as VW is reportedly doing with the Golf in an storming Evo version to be shown at Geneva in March.

 

 

[GTEYE]

11,700 in the whole of Europe. I wouldn't be surprised if they shifted more Golfs that that per day...

Still looks good, but other than the engine the changes are perhaps so minor even a current owner would struggle to spot them.

I really wonder whether the business case for a new MQB Scirocco will work...and it doesn't go the same way as the Corrado and Scirocco before it.

Edited by GTEYE on Monday 17th February 13:40

Edited by GTEYE on Monday 17th February 13:45

[Veeayt]

Those wheels look overly large

[ToothbrushMan]

Veeayt said:

Those wheels look overly large

Most wheels do on these IMHO......they look squeezed in for sizes sake, not a more natural fill of the arches with some space around the tyres.

[marcgti6]

VAG group need to find some new wheel designers asap.

Some of the wheels in the last couple of years have been horrific.

Polished silver with black bits here and there are just wrong, IMHO.

[richs2891]

If they dropped the haldex in I think it would sell better.
An interesting alternative to an S3

[Remagel2507]

Always liked these and I do like the little tweaks on this facelift one, however the amount of times that I need to ferry people around means that I would probably end up going for a Golf or A3

[ManOpener]

This, in R guise with the limited-slip diff seen in the GTI could be pretty good fun. The Scirocco always felt a bit more agile than the GTI in my experience, probably down to the wider track.

Agreed with the comments on the wheels, but I think the R version looks fantastic that aside. Just the right balance of shouty and subtle.

[nunpuncher]

Is the Scirocco not long over due replacement? It still looks modern but it feels like this model has been around for ages now.

[Catatafish]

At least it hasn't got the daft quad tail pipes.

[dukebox9reg]

hmmmmm do I want that engine in that dress or that dress.

So instead of different power levels now between models its come down to, Audi S3 - 4wd Posh Frock, Golf R 4wd Sunday best frock, Leon Cupra fwd + diff - Going out on the piss frock, Rocco R fwd no diff - frumpy frock as now overweight next to their friends.

Nothing shouts committee more than that.

[Dave Hedgehog]

meh

[Housey]

So a good way to get rid of old Mk6 GTi bits then.

[epom]

Other than the masshoooisve wheels, sounds very appealing to me. In grey please

[framerateuk]

Always loved the styling of the Scirocco.

Lots of the reviews mentioned it didn't suffer much form the lack of a real locking diff, but I fear after driving the rivals, that it may be more noticeable.

[nickwilcock]

It needs a 6th generation Haldex 4x4, certainly.

But it also needs some serious restyling. From many angles, the Scirocco still looks rather weird and ugly. Whereas the 1980 Mk1 looked great from all angles - since when Scirocco styling has deteriorated with every new model....

[soad]

You know that new VW Design Vision Golf GTI (Volkswagen’s interpretation of the ultimate Golf GTI)?
It’s got nearly 500bhp, will hit 62mph in less than four seconds, and previews a new turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine that’s destined for future VWs?
That engine would slot in here rather nicely?

[Schermerhorn]

Are these still based on the MK5 Golf or does they have new Mk7 Golf underpinnings now?

[theJT]

I still don't get these. VW can call it a "coupe" all they want, but it's not. It's a hatchback. It's a less good hatchback than the Golf it's based on. I really can't imagine why anyone would buy one.

[Japveesix]

theJT said:

I still don't get these. VW can call it a "coupe" all they want, but it's not. It's a hatchback. It's a less good hatchback than the Golf it's based on. I really can't imagine why anyone would buy one.

This is exactly my thoughts on the scirocco. When it first appeared it looked smart-ish and quite funky for a modern 2 door hatchback. Now it looks average and I really struggle to see it as a coupe at all. It's just a golf with less doors.

[TNH]

theJT said:

I still don't get these. VW can call it a "coupe" all they want, but it's not. It's a hatchback. It's a less good hatchback than the Golf it's based on. I really can't imagine why anyone would buy one.

I kind of get it. At least its different to look at and easy to tell apart from the rest of the VAG range. From the outside anyway.