| Most people know that the word Scirocco derives | | | | The new Scirocco is available this year and has |
| from the Mediterranean wind which rolls in from the | | | | already divided opinion but it is too early to say |
| Sahara desert, I'm sure you knew that. Did you also | | | | whether lovers of the old Scirocco will embrace the |
| know that the last Volkswagen Scirocco finally rolled | | | | new model. |
| off the production line as far back as 1989? | | | | The Scirocco GT is a three door sports coupe with a |
| Well after an absence of around 19 years the | | | | 2 litre turbocharged petrol engine developing 200 PS. |
| Scirocco is back, some say by popular demand others | | | | Acceleration from 0-62 is 7.5 seconds with a top |
| say that the car manufacturers attempts at recycling | | | | speed of 146mph for the manual version although the |
| has started with just the names! Whatever your view | | | | automatic is only a second slower. A six-speed auto |
| on the matter I think the consensus of opinion is that | | | | or manual gearbox is available. |
| the return of this sporty hatchback is all together a | | | | The Scirocco comes with ACC (Adaptive Chassis |
| welcome one. | | | | Control) this allows the driver to adjust the suspension |
| The origins of the Scirocco go back to the early | | | | settings to suit conditions and ESP (Electronic Stability |
| seventies when VW realised they would have to | | | | Programme). Safety features include all-round disc |
| replace the beautiful but rather ageing Karmann Ghia. | | | | brakes with ABS and a multiple-point airbag system |
| For this they enlisted the help of the Italian styling guru | | | | including driver and passenger airbags plus front seat |
| Giorgetto Giugiaro and so the Scirocco (or Type 53) | | | | and also curtain airbags. |
| was born. | | | | Options include cruise control and hill hold control. The |
| First appearing in 1974 the Scirocco was a three door | | | | Scirocco comes with 18" alloy wheels as standard but |
| sports hatch and was fairly popular selling around | | | | 19" are available as an extra should you really want to |
| 500,000 units by 1981. A few subtle changes were | | | | look the business. |
| made during the first years of production but it was | | | | Early reviews of the GT have proclaimed that the |
| not until the second generation model arrived in 1982 | | | | handling of the car is exceptional especially at higher |
| that the car improved significantly with engine power | | | | speeds with low wind noise and precise cornering. The |
| output and torque improved and the interior revised. | | | | interior has a high quality feel as you would expect |
| The spoiler which was mounted to the rear window | | | | from VW. Fuel economy is better than expected |
| and was unique at the time became synonymous with | | | | unless you drive the car really hard. 2009 should see |
| the Scirocco appearance. | | | | the arrival of a less potent 1.4 petrol version together |
| Production continued until around 1989 by which time a | | | | with a diesel. |
| further 290,000 were produced. Sales continued to | | | | Apparently the Vice-President of VW USA |
| around 1992 until the Scirocco was finally replaced by | | | | announced that he did not want the Scirocco to go on |
| the Corrado. Many Scirocco enthusiasts remain | | | | sale in America as it would clash with sales of the Golf |
| however and there is a thriving owners network | | | | GTI. A claim which was later refuted by the CEO of |
| especially in the UK. | | | | VW who said the final decision rested with him! |
| Following much press speculation VW unveiled the | | | | Overall residual value should be maintained due to the |
| concept version of the new Scirocco known as the | | | | interest in the Scirocco so it just remains to be seen if |
| Iroc at the 2006 Paris Motor Show and it attracted a | | | | the new Scirocco will be as popular as its |
| huge amount of attention. | | | | predecessor, but I have a sneaky feeling that it will. |