VW Scirocco

VW Scirocco - Back For Good?The Scirocco went on sale in March 2008 and has
Most people know that the word Scirocco derivesalready divided opinion but it is too early to say
from the Mediterranean wind that comes from thewhether the lovers of the old Scirocco will embrace
Sahara desert you did know that didn't you? Did youthe new model.
also know that the last Scirocco's finally rolled off theThe Scirocco GT is a three door sports coupe with a
production line as far back as 1989?2 litre turbocharged petrol engine developing 200 PS.
Well after a nineteen year or so absence the SciroccoAcceleration from 0-62 is 7.5 seconds with a top
is back some say by popular demand others say thatspeed of 146mph for the manual version although the
car manufacturers' attempts at recycling has startedautomatic is only a second slower. A six-speed auto
with just the names! Whatever your view on theor manual gearbox is available.
matter I think the consensus of opinion is that theThe Scirocco comes with ACC (Adaptive Chassis
return of this sporty hatchback is all together aControl) this allows the driver to adjust the suspension
welcome one.settings to suit conditions and ESP (Electronic Stability
The origins of the Scirocco go back to the earlyProgramme). Safety features include all-round disc
seventies when VW realised they would have tobrakes with ABS and a multi-point airbag system
replace the beautiful but rather ageing Karmann Ghia.including driver and passenger plus front seats and
For this they enlisted the help of the Italian styling gurualso curtain airbags.
Giorgetto Giugiaro and so the Scirocco or Type 53 asOptions include cruise control and hill hold control. The
it was affectionately referred to internally was born.Scirocco comes with 18" Alloys as standard but 19"
First appearing in 1974 the Scirocco was a three doorare an available extra should you want to really look
sports hatch and was fairly popular selling aroundthe business. 2009 should see the arrival of a less
500,000 units by 1981. A few subtle changes werepotent 1.4 petrol version together with a diesel.
made during the first years of production but it wasEarly reviews of the GT have proclaimed that the
not until the second generation model arrived in 1982handling of the car is exceptional especially at higher
that the car improved significantly with engine powerspeeds with low wind noise and precise cornering. The
output and torque up rated and a revised interior. Theinterior has a high quality feel as you would expect
unique at the time spoiler mounted to the rear windowfrom VW. Fuel economy is better than expected
became synonymous with the Scirocco appearance.unless you drive the car really hard.
Production continued until around 1989 by which time aApparently the Vice-President of VW USA
further 290,000 were produced whilst sales continuedannounced that he did not want the Scirocco to go on
to around 1992 until the Scirocco had been replacedsale in America as it would clash with sales of the Golf
by the Corrado. Many Scirocco enthusiasts remainGTI a claim that was later disputed by the CEO of
however and there is a thriving owner's networkVW who said the final decision rested with him!
especially in the UK.Overall residual value should be maintained due to the
After much press speculation in 2006 VW unveiled theinterest in the Scirocco so it just remains to be seen if
concept version of the Scirocco known as the Iroc atthe new Scirocco is as popular as its predecessor but
the 2006 Paris Motor Show and it attracted a hugeI have a more than sneaky feeling that it will.
amount of attention.