Sunday 9th June 2019

VW Scirocco R | Spotted

VW isn't doing hatchback coupes any more, so perhaps it's time to start appreciating the (very good) last one

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On occasion, it can be hard to imagine a performance VW landscape before the current Golf R. It has redefined expectations for fast and four-wheel drive Golfs, delivering a level of entertainment and engagement previously unknown to the flagship model. They often looked good and went well, but offered little to people who actually enjoyed driving - that changed with the current car.

After the Mk5 Golf GTI transformed the breed, the Mk6 didn't realty move things on much. This was also when the R32 became the R, losing its V6 and a big part of its appeal; that it didn't replace that with much in the way of added dynamism made it fairly forgettable.

But then there was the Scirocco, and specifically the Scirocco R. Launched in 2009, it essentially took what was good about the Mk5 Golf GTI (it being based on the same platform), added more power (265hp in total) and a shade more dynamic focus. Unsurprisingly, that proved a fairly compelling recipe: Autocar rated it as better than a Focus RS on video, and it was deemed good enough by evo magazine to make the cut for its 2009 Car of the Year - when the Audi R8 V10, Ferrari 599 HGTE and Nissan 370Z did not...

So it's always been good; very good for a decade, in fact. But the Scirocco R has assumed a new significance of late because it isn't being replaced. Such is the demand for SUVs - and a chronic lack of enthusiasm from the buying public for coupes unless they're jacked up and four-wheel drive - that the T-Roc is taking the place of the sporty option with Golf bits underneath. Therefore the de facto replacement for the Scirocco R is the T-Roc R. Automatic-only, all-wheel drive only and, while there isn't a kerbweight yet, it will surely be more than the slender 1,352kg quoted for the Scirocco at launch.

All the more reason, then, to celebrate used versions like this one. Scirocco Rs now start at around £10k; this one appeals at £15k thanks to its paltry 40k mileage, ideal spec of Rising Blue paint, 19-inch Talladega wheels and manual gearbox, plus a seemingly impressive condition.

Naturally some will question the value of jazzy Golf that's still £15k at seven years old, but sluggish depreciation of course means you'll get more of that back when selling again. And the Scirocco looks good value against similar cars: this Mk6 Golf R has 92k on it and is only £500 less, while this Mk5 Golf R is comparable on mileage and price but five years older. As for the Focus RS, you're looking at £20,000 for a standard car with 50,000 miles.

So while a Scirocco R will never be the world's most thrilling coupe, it deserves more recognition than it currently gets. Especially so, you might say, give a direct successor seems very unlikely. Or maybe, just maybe, VW will repeat its previous strategy, and bring back the Scirocco badge after a 16-year hiatus - we can but hope...

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SPECIFICATION - VW SCIROCCO R
Engine: 1,984cc, 4-cyl turbo
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 265@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 258@2,500-5,000rpm
MPG: 35.3
CO2: 187g/km
First registered: 2012
Recorded mileage: 40,000
Price new: £26,945 (2009)
Yours for: £14,995

See the original advert here.

[smuj1972]

Undoubtedly ugly and a travesty of design compared to its pretty predecessor. A Golf R with its roof and rear chopped off, the Golf R looks like any other Golf; the Scirocco looks like it’s fallen from a great height and landed on its roof

[GTEYE]

I never really warmed to the styling.

The comment in the article made me smile though, about prices. The UK is really cheap - make the most of it - similar age and mileage in Germany start at €20k and up to €28k! So don’t moan about the price...

https://www.autoscout24.com/offers/volkswagen-scir...

[Hub]

It's not really a coupe, yet still a lot less practical than Golf, and fwd rather than the haldex 4wd of the Golf.... but I do have a soft spot for these regardless!

[Mike335i]

Decent looking, if not exactly pretty. I'm VW made the Scirocco but as per this article and the other one this morning about sports cars in general, I think we are entering (or have entered?) the dark ages of motoring where new cars are objectively better, but subjectively worse in every way than what came before. Anything they isn't profitable will be killed off or never even make if off the drawing board. Everything will be safe, not just in a crashing sense but in a playing it safe way.

Time to get good at recycling by buying old cars I think.

[DoubleD]

smuj1972 said:

Undoubtedly ugly and a travesty of design compared to its pretty predecessor. A Golf R with its roof and rear chopped off, the Golf R looks like any other Golf; the Scirocco looks like it’s fallen from a great height and landed on its roof

I dont think that any of the have been good looking to be honest.

[sidesauce]

Mike335i said:

Anything that isn't profitable will be killed off or never even make if off the drawing board.

And that's exactly as it should be - I sometimes wonder if people would prefer that manufacturers shouldn't exist at all? They're here to make a profit, not to make a small minority happy!

[Nerdherder]

They should have furnished the Scirocco with its own, sporty interior. The standard issue dash and steering wheel make the cabin into a normal car. No sense of occasion. Pass.

[DoubleD]

sidesauce said:

Mike335i said:

A8nything that isn't profitable will be killed off or never even make if off the drawing board.

And that's exactly as it should be - I sometimes wonder if people would prefer that manufacturers shouldn't exist at all? They're here to make a profit, not to make a small minority happy!

Exactly. Its a business not a charity.

[anonymous-user]

Incredibly dull to look at, incredibly dull to sit in, very dull to drive, and £15K? Someone's taking the piss....

[mcg_]

Could get them with the nice seats I believe

http://www.sciroccocentral.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p...

[cerb4.5lee]

I have always really liked the shape of these but they didn't seem to be very well liked from a sales point of view though.

[Mike1990]

Always liked these.

[wab172uk]

When the new Scirocco came out I ordered on straight away. A 2.0GT model. Loved the looks of it compared to the Golf.

Unfortunately after 9 months and several delays I cancelled due to VW not guaranteeing a build date. Something to do with one of my options, but they wouldn't say which one for some strange reason. Very ticked off, as I'd sold my then Subaru Impreza STI in anticipation of the Scirocco's arrival.

After that, They never really crossed my mind when thinking about any new car. Think as it was based on the now very old MK5 Golf chassis, it seamed a bit of a backwards step.

My neighbour changes his car every year, and always had a new plate Scirocco. Think he went through the fully colour option list.

[s m]

Nice looking thing from the side



Can imagine the new 3 door M135i will have a similar profile and looks in one of the blue colours

[TonyRPH]

The wheels look to large with regard to overall proportions.

[Drive Blind]

I wanted to like these but they just don't look 'right' in the flesh IMO, the squashed view from the rear especially.

Also sad to see the demise of another 3dr hatch.
Seems joe public wants an SUV behemoth these days......

[the_hood]

Drive Blind said:

I wanted to like these but they just don't look 'right' in the flesh IMO, the squashed view from the rear especially.

Also sad to see the demise of another 3dr hatch.
Seems joe public wants an SUV behemoth these days......

The public gets what the public wants. I don't think there will be many who miss the Scirocco .

[Tim bo]

Mike1990 said:

Always liked these.

Agreed.

Far nicer to look at than the boggo-looking Golf R.

[s m]

the_hood said:

Drive Blind said:

I wanted to like these but they just don't look 'right' in the flesh IMO, the squashed view from the rear especially.

Also sad to see the demise of another 3dr hatch.
Seems joe public wants an SUV behemoth these days......

The public gets what the public wants. I don't think there will be many who miss the Scirocco .

Gone with the wind perhaps.....

[Mike335i]

DoubleD said:

sidesauce said:

Mike335i said:

A8nything that isn't profitable will be killed off or never even make if off the drawing board.

And that's exactly as it should be - I sometimes wonder if people would prefer that manufacturers shouldn't exist at all? They're here to make a profit, not to make a small minority happy!

Exactly. Its a business not a charity.

Save for loss leaders or risks that might have been taken in the past that just won't happen in the current climate