Wednesday 9th July 2014

Facelifted VW Scirocco spec confirmed

280hp R the highlight in a range refresh for the 'rocco

---

With the latest Golf GTI and various other MQB offspring dominating the review headlines recently, it's time for the VW Scirocco to grab some limelight again. With the old platform.

What, you haven't spotted the new lights?

Yes, this car is a revised version of the Scirocco that's been on sale since 2008 rather than something all new based on the Modularer Querbaukasten. Whether that will disadvantage the new 'roc or not will become evident next week when we drive it, but it has a very high dynamic standard to match set by the latest fast Golfs, Leons and Octavias.

So what is new with the Scirocco? It's the familiar new (LED) lights and bumpers job, with the R seen here getting its own bespoke items and chrome mirrors. The interior has been updated with new dials and centre console (without pics as yet). Trim levels continue as just 'Scirocco', GT, R-Line and R.

The range-topping R impressed PH back in 2009 ('the Scirocco's dynamic performance borders on the superb' said Riggers) and it continues much the same bar a 15hp boost to 280hp. Will that be enough to keep it competitive? Elsewhere a 2.0-litre 180hp engine replaces the 1.4-litre 160hp model and the 220hp EA888 engine from the GTI sits where the old 210hp 2.0-litre turbo was. More power and 19 per cent better efficiency says VW. There are a pair of 2.0-litre diesels as well, rated at 150 and 184hp.

The revised Scirocco goes on sale today with prices starting at £20,455 for the 125hp 1.4 manual. Customers will receive their cars in October. The 2.0-litre TSI costs from £25,845 in manual GT spec. The R is £32,295 with DSG a £1,500 option. Will that be made to look expensive with the Golf R at £30K? The earliest 'old' Scirocco Rs start below £20K now for those tempted. And it still looks rather fetching in green.

[ManOpener]

Oh dear, they've made it look worse.

[ikarl]

wonder what the lease deals will be like on the 'R'

[dlockhart]

"a 2.0-litre 180hp engine replaces the 1.4-litre 160hp "
Less HP/Litre? so they have replaced a small engine with a less efficient bigger engine? that 1.4 litre produced 114 hp/litre with one that produces 90 hp/litre.

Can someone explain why?

[Hellbound]

I like VAG stuff, but for some reason this car has never, ever appealed to me. It looks even less remarkable than the Golf GTI. And surely a coupe should be the one with more road presence?

[aka_kerrly]

dlockhart said:

"a 2.0-litre 180hp engine replaces the 1.4-litre 160hp "
Less HP/Litre? so they have replaced a small engine with a less efficient bigger engine? that 1.4 litre produced 114 hp/litre with one that produces 90 hp/litre.

Can someone explain why?

Quite simply VW have opted not to use the 1.4 twin charged - (supercharger & turbo) and have used the 2.0 TSI turbo unit.

Why, the 2.0 makes 139 g/km CO2 and a claimed 41mpg combined, where as the 1.4 makes 154 g/km and does a claimed 43mpg.

In the real world the 2.0 will lead to cheaper tax and most likely better economy and hopefully wont gain the same reputation that the 1.4 unit got for eg oil usage.

[graham22]

Is the bonnet line alot higher (pedestrian safety?) because the in the top picture it just looks like the new Beetle with a grill.

[timmeh2k]

dlockhart said:

"a 2.0-litre 180hp engine replaces the 1.4-litre 160hp "
Less HP/Litre? so they have replaced a small engine with a less efficient bigger engine? that 1.4 litre produced 114 hp/litre with one that produces 90 hp/litre.

Can someone explain why?

They've had too many issues with the twin charged 1.4 engine, high oil usage and some of the ones in the fabia VRS have lunched themselves

[richs2891]

Definitely looks worse,
When is its replacment due ?

[aka_kerrly]

Looking at the pictures again and having found some additional ones on VW Vortex ( http://www.vwvortex.com/news/volkswagen-news/genev... )

I just feel the wheel arches are too big, if they could be a tad smaller and lower the window line a little to neaten the rear quarter it could look a lot better.

[marcgti6]

High as a kite and turd wheels.

Nah, I'm ok thanks VW.

[Prawnboy]

Hellbound said:

I like VAG stuff, but for some reason this car has never, ever appealed to me. It looks even less remarkable than the Golf GTI. And surely a coupe should be the one with more road presence?

+1
This car always seemed under designed and they have just made it duller. VAG really need to divert some of those profits from the softy plastic interior department to the exterior design department.
Such a waste
I would have the golf

[anonymous-user]

aka_kerrly said:

I just feel the wheel arches are too big, if they could be a tad smaller and lower the window line a little to neaten the rear quarter it could look a lot better.

This has always been the problem with Sciroccos for me. Even with the bone shaking 19" Lugano wheels there is tons of room in the arches. Just looks daft on a coupe.

I noticed they have applied the same lower grille treatment to the Touareg facelift too. It's similarly unsuccessful.

[theJT]

Yeah... I still don't "Get" the Scirocco. Why would you want to make your Golf GTI very slightly worse? To me this will always just be a hot hatch in a frock. Tis a shame, because I really liked the Corrado.

[MrBarry123]

I'm not a massive fan of the standard Scirocco however the R is quite a different thing altogether and the subtle changes VW made, and I'm assuming will make to the new R, make it stand out. It's a car which needs to be seen in the flesh to be noticed - pictures never do it any justice.

[Prawnboy]

thats an R in the pictures- as good as it's getting i'm afraid.

[zcacogp]

Prawnboy said:

Hellbound said:

I like VAG stuff, but for some reason this car has never, ever appealed to me. It looks even less remarkable than the Golf GTI. And surely a coupe should be the one with more road presence?

+1
This car always seemed under designed and they have just made it duller. VAG really need to divert some of those profits from the softy plastic interior department to the exterior design department.
Such a waste
I would have the golf

Thank goodness - not just one but TWO other people who think the same way as I do.


Oli.

[MrBarry123]

Prawnboy said:

thats an R in the pictures- as good as it's getting i'm afraid.

Yes, I'm aware. The front bumper, twin exhausts, R logo on the grille etc. give it away. It's a car that will need to be seen in the flesh to be appreciated is my point.

[TaylotS2K]

I think it would look nicer with the addition of some different wheels. Those are awful VAG.

[va1o]

Bit dissapointed with this. I was expecting them to move it onto the MQB platform but its still on the same decade old Golf Mk5 underpinnings. Looks wise it isn't really an improvement on the pre-facelift. Engine choices seem a bit weird, why aren't they using the 1.8 TSI 180PS as fitted to the Audi A3 and Leon FR? The R looks particularly weak as its slower and more expensive than the Golf and S3.

Still a fine car but just not quite as good as it could be. They've put more effort into the facelift Polo and new Passat it seems.

[fathomfive]

zcacogp said:

Thank goodness - not just one but TWO other people who think the same way as I do.


Oli.

Make it three.