VW Scirocco

VW Scirocco - Overview

• The VW Scirocco is a successful compact sports car made between 1974 and 1992.

• VW began work on the Scirocco during the early 1970s as a replacement for the Karmann Ghia coupe.

• The Scirocco was eventually built for VW by German convertible specialists Karmann.

• VW choose to use the A1 chassis from the VW Golf and Jetta for the Scirocco.

• In effect the Scirocco is a sports variant of the Volkswagen Golf.

• The VW Scirocco (along with the VW Golf) was first imported to the UK in 1974.

• There are two classic generations of the VW Scirocco (1974 -81) (1981-1992)

• When sales stopped in 1993, 77,460 units of the mid-sized coupé had been sold.

• An iconic new model is expected in 2008.

VW Scirocco History

• The Scirocco featured new sleek but powerful styling by Giorgetto Giugiaro.

• There were 3 versions of the first body style available in the UK.

• Updates included the Gli, also known as the Gti, and the Storm, each with 1600cc fuel injected engine.

• The Scirocco was a big initial hit in Germany, with 25,000 built in the first year of production.

• The Scirocco is regarded as an important transition vehicle in VW’s transformation from family economy cars into water cooled higher performance cars.

• Both Mark 1 and Mark 2 are models are easily distinguished as classic Scirroco coupes with their smooth wedge shapes.

• Although a retro eighties look the 1980s Sciroccos were seen as a style icon in their day. The bigger engines offered very competitive performance for the day as well. A 1982 Scirocco 1.5L, for example, will easily do 120 mph and 0-80mph in 7.8 s.

• The good news is that the Scirocco will be revived with a new design as a third generation model in 2008.

Mk1 VW Scirocco

MK1 models featured a range of four-cylinder engines. The Volkswagen Scirocco was the first car with front-wheel drive and a transversely installed four cylinder in-line engine with displacements from 1.1 to 1.7 litres. Until 1981, 504,153 vehicles were produced. In March 1974, the Volkswagen Scirocco was launched. Series production started on February 1, 1974.

Mk2 VW Scirocco

Technically and aesthetically revised update of the Scirocco launched in 1981. The MK2 generation had a new 1.3 L base engine and an optional 1.8 l and improved engine featuring 4-valves per cylinder. As well as improvements like leathers, electric windows and mirrors, air conditioning there was a manual sunroof as optional. The body was 16.5 cm longer and wedge-shaped. The interior more spacious with more head room in the rear and a bigger luggage compartment. The two engines offer 75 and 139 hp.
291,497 Scirocco II cars were produced in Osnabrck, Germany until 1992.

New VW Scirocco

The new Scirocco launched in 2008 is a futuristic reworking of the original. Its chunkier but with some strong curves and lines, and as such is very different to the originals wedge like profile. A very innovative, aggressive and sporting look offering 150 210bhp - it seems destined to be a winner. A concept car of this 2008 Scirocco was shown at the 2006 Paris Auto Show. Initially it was called the Iroc, but appears destined to be launched now as the Scirocco. Interestingly, the concept car was made in Viper Green metallic paint, hinting back to the original Scirocco, where this exact shade was available in 1976. In June 2006 VW announced production of the new model at the Autoeuropa assembly plant in Palmela, Portugal. 100,000 new Scirocco cars per year are now expected to start rolling in 2008. The 2008 Scirocco will benefit from the option of two engines VWs TSI twin-charged straight-4 producing 168 hp, and the 200 hp 2.0T FSI engine featuring in the Mk5 Golf GTI, the Passat and Jetta. As of July 2007 the Scirocco is not expected to be launched in North America due to fears it will damage Golf sales, although VW say they will make a decision on this in 2008

New Scirocco Features (Based on Iroc concept)

• Sports car with four seats plus luggage room.

• Nimble turbo engines

• New face design with reworked golf honeycomb-shaped radiator

• A lack of obvious a pillars due to the wide windscreen

• 1,800 mm long

• Wheelbase - 2,680 mm

• Height - 1,400 mm

• 19ins alloy wheels.

• Boot - 300 litres

• Rear seats fold down

• Front bucket seats

• Integrated five point seat belts with central buckle.

• Two large new design round instruments in cockpit.

• Ground-breaking tsi petrol technology - uses a turbocharger and supercharger to produce diesel-like consumption and extra performance.

• Up to 210 bhp TSI engine but engine options expected to start from around 150 bhp