As good looking as the Volkswagen Scirocco is, the current model is six years old. VW has given the Golf-based coupe a major refresh, with a new range of more powerful and economical engines and a sharper look.
Walter de Silva’s original design, despite being six years old, still looks fresh today, so it's no surprise that Volkswagen has taken an evolutionary approach with the styling. The front and rear of the car have been styled to more closely fit Volkswagen’s updated design language, and LED taillights are standard across the range. All of the new cars are also fitted LED daytime running lights up front.
VW has gone big with its changes under the hood, though. For fans of petrol engines, the new Scirocco will be available with four TSI motors. The base model is a turbocharged 1.4-liter, making 92 kW (127 hp), and is fitted with fuel-saving tech like auto start/stop, which switches the car’s engine off when idling in traffic. Fuel economy was a real focus for VW, who claims a combined economy figure of 5.4 l/100km (44 mpg) and CO2 emissions of just 125 g/km (combined).
The other three petrol engines are all turbocharged 2.0-liter motors. The least powerful of the three puts out 132 kW (177 hp), which is a jump of 14 kW over the engine it replaces. This power boost helps cut 0.6 seconds from the old model’s 8 second sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph). Despite the extra power, the 132 kW Scirocco still returns a combined economy figure of 6 - 6.4 l/100km (37 mpg), and in ideal conditions will emit only 139 - 148 g/km of CO2.
As before, the Scirocco range is topped by the "R" version. In line with the rest of the range, VW’s hot coupe has received a boost. Power is up by 11 kW (15 hp), with a peak output of 206 kW (276 hp), with the sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) taking 5.5 seconds. As the range flagship, the R also gains bigger wheels than the rest of the refreshed Sciroccos. Combined economy is claimed at 7.9 - 8 l/100 km (29 mpg), with CO2 emissions of 185 - 187 g/km.
Beside the Scirocco R, the third petrol engine is the most powerful in the Scirocco range, making 162 kW (217 hp). Volkswagen claims the same economy figures for the 162 kW Scirocco as it does for the less powerful,132 kW version.
Both diesel versions get turbocharged 2.0-liter engines. The less powerful of the two is the most economical engine in the updated Scirocco line up, with its 110 kW (148 hp) output contributing to a combined fuel economy figure of 4.2 - 4.5 l/100km (52 mpg). Top speed jumps from 207 to 215 km/h (134 mph), and CO2 emissions range between 109 and 119 g/km depending on conditions.
If you like diesels but don’t like going slowly, VW has a 135 kW (181 hp) version of its 2.0-liter engine. For all the extra power, there is very little penalty in economy, with a combined figure of 4.4 - 4.8 l/100km (49 mpg). Emissions range from 115 to 125 g/km, once again depending on the driver’s style.
Inside, the Scirocco’s interior has once again been refreshed. VW has added some gauges atop the dash, and there is a raft of tech available on the new car that wasn’t on the old mode. Blind spot warning and hands-free parking can be specced on the new Scirocco.
The new models go on sale from mid-August in Europe, with a standard 6-speed manual on all engines. A DSG gearbox will be available as an option.
Pricing has not been announced.
Source: Volkswagen
