Car Review

The Volkswagen Scirocco 2019 handles well and its standard AWD gives off-road ability as well, though only the turbo model offers spirited performance.

Volkswagen Scirocco 2019 Release, Specs and Review

A Mk2 Scirocco replaced it in 1982, later variants of which shared the Golf GTI’s 1.8 16v engine. The Scirocco was replaced by the Corrado in 1992, but the 2006 IROC concept previewed the Scirocco’s return, with production starting in 2008. READ ~ Toyota Land Cruiser 2020 Spy Rumors

Again Golf based, but with the promise of far sleeker looks and a sporty driving experience, the latest Volkswagen Scirocco is intended to inject the VW range with some desirability. VW’s have long been known as much for how little they do wrong, as much for how they do right – the Scirocco is set to shift that balance by offering a tempting package at a surprisingly affordable price tag.

In 2014, the Scirocco was facelifted with subtle changes made to the exterior and an improved fit and quality of materials on the inside, while the biggest news was the introduction of the GTS and a faster R.

The new Scirocco range features a broad choice of four-cylinder engines, ranging from one turbocharged versions of the VW group 1.4, three 2.0-litre petrols and a 2.0-litre TDI offered with 148 or 178bhp.

There’s a seven trim levels, with the sporty GTS and, as with the Golf, a range-topping R model. Unlike Volkswagen’s previous R models (such as the Golf R32), it uses the EA888 four-cylinder turbo engine rather than a V6, however it doesn’t produce as much power as the same unit found in the all-wheel-drive Golf R.

Volkswagen Scirocco design & styling

Although the Volkswagen Scirocco is closely based on the platform and running gear used by the Golf GTi, it would be both simplistic and inaccurate to describe the Scirocco as a Golf GTi in a cocktail dress.

It shares the same wheelbase but it’s 40mm longer, a significant 51mm wider and a massive 97mm lower. Most important, its track is wider by 35mm at the front and 59mm at the rear.

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As a result, the Scirocco is not only lighter than the Golf on which it is based, with a lower centre of gravity, but it also has a broader stance, which accounts in no small part for the way it conducts itself on the road.

In addition, it comes with bespoke settings for its springs, dampers and anti-roll bars. In other respects, however, it follows both class convention and the Golf’s lead. Front suspension is a simple strut located by a lower wishbone, while that at the rear is a four-link arrangement.

For the R model, Volkswagen has made subtle changes to the Scirocco’s appearance, enhancing its muscularity without having to make alterations to the metalwork, a task presumably made easier by the fact that it must have known during development of the cooking model that it was later going to produce a hot variant. To our eyes it’s a successful look but one that will not be hard to replicate for owners of lesser Sciroccos.

Poor rear visibility is a bit of a Scirocco trait, but in dirty conditions the rear screen easily gets filthy. Without a fancy telescopic wiper, the cleaned area is restricted by the height of the screen and is therefore pretty small.

Volkswagen Scirocco performance

In theory the 2.0 TSI four-pot Volkswagen Scirocco should hold a performance advantage over the higher and, officially at least, 30kg heavier Golf.

And it does indeed command a small advantage in claimed fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. But VW draws little distinction in straight-line terms, claiming with broadly similar performance figures for both.
The 123bhp 1.4 is more about style than speed, as a 0-62mph time of 9.7 secs proves. Given its relatively low asking price and decent economy, it is a sensible choice for someone who wants this car’s looks more than performance.

The standard 2.0-litre model records a sub seven second 0-62mph time. This is an outstanding performance and fully competitive with selected rivals, like the BMW 225i coupé. Bear in mind, too, that if the Scirocco were rear rather than front-wheel drive, as are the Mercedes C-Class Coupé and BMW 2 Series coupé, it would be even faster.
As far as the R is concerned, don’t get hung up on the 0-60mph time. Admittedly our recorded time of 5.7sec doesn’t look hugely impressive, but there are a few things you need to understand before dismissing the Scirocco R. First, it faced the worst possible conditions for acceleration runs: not fully wet, but greasy. Second, the Scirocco R tags the limiter in second at 58mph.

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It is fast, but also flexible. Compared with the regular 2.0-litre TSI Scirocco, which is remarkably linear for a turbocharged engine, there is more a pronounced power band.

The diesels aren’t especially swift, but they’re not slow either. Due to their immense torque (the flagship diesel offers 258lb ft) the Scirocco diesels are best approached as GT cars rather than sports models, as you don’t have to chase every engine revolution to eke out excellent performance.

Should you wish to, however, the 178bhp 2.0 TDI can cover the benchmark sprint to 62mph in 8.1secs. For the 148bhp model, this time increases to 9.3secs. As you would expect both offer impressive in-gear performance. They’re pleasantly refined, too. Of course, the real benefit to opting for one of the diesels is the economy; all the diesels offer a combined mpg figure of 51 or more, whilst the Bluemotion ups that figure to a remarkable 62.8.

The best value in Volkswagen Scirocco 2019 is a base model with manual gearbox, but it’s still decently priced after adding fancy audio, leather, and a moonroof.