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Volkswagen

Volkswagen gives new Scirocco R more power

Volkswagen Scirocco R

Volkswagen has released details for its updated Scirocco range. In Australia we only need to focus on the Scirocco R, pictured above with its refreshed styling.

For European markets, at least, the Scirocco R now has 206kW (280PS), up from 195kW in the previous model. Although, for Australia’s “hot climate” conditions the Scirocco R was detuned to 188kW. It’s unclear if we’ll see the full 206kW when the new Scirocco goes on sale here.

The most noticeable changes to the styling of the Scirocco R are with the headlights and tailights. Up front the new bi-xenon lights now include LED daytime running lights in the main cluster. The rear lights get the LED treatment as well.

In addition to those changes the front and rear bumper sections have been restyled with a more aggressive look. New Cadiz alloy wheels from the Golf R are fitted in 18″ as standard and can also be optioned in 19″ sizing.

The Scirocco R now has larger 17″ brakes as standard. Also included now is Volkswagen’s XDS diff lock, which aims to help keep the front wheels and their 206kW under control.

Inside it’s much the same as before, although slightly restyled, of course. The steering wheel from the Mk7 GTI has been used and there are now three auxiliary gauges atop the central dash. The boost gauge and oil temp will be the most welcome.

The new Scirocco goes on sale in Europe next month and the press release tells us Australia will follow “soon afterwards”.

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Volkswagen

Identity crisis for next-gen Scirocco?

Volkswagen Scirocco rendering

Volkswagen’s next-gen Scirocco is facing a mixed-bag of possibilities as speculation increases on the direction VW will take with its sports coupé.

On the one hand it’s being suggested Volkswagen will tone down the Scirocco to be little more than a slightly different three-door Golf. Some may already argue that’s the approach taken by the current Scirocco. Volkswagen Australia, for example!

Alternatively, Volkswagen could up the ante on the Scirocco and turn it into a more performance oriented model line. Start thinking 300PS (221kW) and, interestingly, a move to a 4motion all-wheel drive system may be on the cards as well.

Even more beautiful is speculation that a 330PS Scirocco RS could be in the pipeline. If it comes to fruition it’s said the RS model would be a lightweight model. Whether any weight reduction measures would be little more than token remains to be seen.

[Source: Car | Rendering: Auto Bild]

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Volkswagen

Volkswagen Scirocco facelift coming soon

Volkswagen Scirocco prototype

It would seem we’re going to see a facelifted Scirocco before we get an all-new Mk4 model, if this spy shot is anything to go by. Interestingly, the Scirocco prototype was seen in the US, where the car isn’t currently sold.

The rear of the car is basically untouched, while only the headlights and lower grille are disguised. This tends to indicate any changes to the current Mk3 Scirocco are likely to minor cosmetic enhancements.

The fourth-gen Scirocco is not expected before 2015. It’s not clear why VW would test the facelifted car in the States where they say it “was not engineered for this market; it never was.” Although, they say will consider the model after it has been launched.

[Source: World Car Fans | Pic: Automedia]

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Volkswagen

Next-gen VW Scirocco to take different path

Volkswagen Scirocco R

For a while there the Volkswagen Scirocco was the ‘it’ car of the moment. It’s dramatic swooping lines were (and still are) a welcome breath of fresh air for the normally reserved VW family.

The only downside, we could see, was that the moment had passed by the time Volkswagen Australia delivered the Scirocco R (almost three years after its European release).

In the planning for the new model Volkswagen’s design boss Walter de Silva says the next-generation Scirocco will be another step forward in terms of its design.

Speaking to Car Advice at the New York Auto Show, de Silva said: “It must be completely different. Completely.”

It’s still early days for the new Scirocco, which has been given the green light for production and de Silva adds the brief is still open.

“We don’t want to repeat the body style of the Scirocco, we want to change that.

“At the moment it’s only a studio [project]. It’s not defined at the moment.

“We are still working … but we are looking 360 degrees.”

Fingers crossed the new Scirocco is as great looking as the current model and that Volkswagen Australia doesn’t torture us again with ‘yes we will’, ‘no we won’t’ deliberations.

[Source: Car Advice]

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Volkswagen

VW Scirocco R – Australian pricing & specs

Volkswagen at AIMS 2011

Volkswagen Australia has released pricing and full specification details for the long awaited Scirocco R. Available with a 6 speed manual for $47,490 or DSG for $49,990 the Scirocco R undercuts the launch pricing of the 3 door Golf R model it is replacing by $1000.

Powered by the same 188kW 2.0 litre turbo four cylinder from the Golf R, the front-wheel drive Scirocco R with DSG can reach 100km/h in 6.0 seconds (6.2s manual). If you behave yourself Volkswagen reckon you’ll use fuel at the rate of 8.2l/100km (8.1l/100km manual).

Options are limited to premium audio, sat nav and a panoramic sunroof. Although, you can also option the multispoke design of the 19″ Sagitta wheels over the standard 19″ Talladega alloys (pictured). Worth noting that no leather option is being offered at this stage and the standard tyre size for the Scirocco R is 235/35/19.

We advise you choose any of the following five colours over the Viper Green metallic paint you see here: Candy White, Rising Blue metallic (our choice), Reflex Silver metallic, Deep Black Pearl Effect or Iridium Grey metallic. Volkswagen is kindly throwing in the sparkles too, so there’s no extra charge for any of those colours.

The Scirocco R can be ordered at your local Volkswagen dealer now and a batch of demonstrator models will arrive in late December. The first batch of fresh orders is expected to arrive in Australia around February 2012.

Full details from Volkswagen can be read after the break.

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Volkswagen

Volkswagen reminds us the Scirocco R is coming

Volkswagen Scirocco R

Even though we fear the horse has bolted, Volkswagen Australia is keen to remind us the Scirocco R is finally headed for Australia. We brought you this news back in April, but now VW is drip feeding some basic specs prior to the car making its local debut at the Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne.

As expected peak power for Australian spec falls in line with the detuned Audi S3 and Golf R engines. Which means the 2.0 litre TSI will boast 188kW (down from the 195kW offered in cooler climates). Maximum torque is 330Nm (down from 350Nm).

Unlike the aforementioned cars the Scirocco R is front-wheel drive only. To help counter any traction issues it will come standard with an Extended Electronic Differential Lock (XDL) as seen in the Golf GTI. It’s not foolproof, but it’s a worthy addition.

Also welcome is news Adaptive Chassis Control will be a standard feature down under. This enables drivers to choose from three suspension settings; Normal, Comfort and Sport. Given the car will be fitted with 19″ Talladega alloys this should help save unplanned visits to the chiropractor.

Apart from the expected motor show appearance the Scirocco is not planned to launch until 2012. More detail form VW Aus after the break.

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Volkswagen

CONFIRMED: Scirocco R coming to Australia

Volkswagen Scirocco R

Great news for fans of the Volkswagen Scirocco with confirmation today that the range-topping R version will launch in Australia early next year. Ahead of its local launch, the Scirocco R will be on display at this year’s Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne (1-10 July).

Proving that you have to give a little to get a little, Volkswagen will make space in its Australian product range by removing the three-door Golf R from its line up. While pricing details are yet to be confirmed, we can probably expect the front-wheel drive only Scirocco R to slot in under the $50K bracket. Currently the Golf R 3dr is priced from $48,490.

The Scirocco R uses the same 2.0 litre turbocharged motor found in the Golf R. It’s worth noting that the Scirocco R is more than 100kg lighter than the Golf R and its handling is said to offer a few more thrills as a result. In Euro markets the Scirocco R is rated at 195kW, however, we anticipate our warm climate will see that spec reduced to 188kW, as is the case with the Golf R and Audi S3.

Availability of the all-wheel drive Golf R 5dr will remain unaffected by the introduction of the curvaceous Scirocco.

We’re massive fans of the Scirocco here at AUSmotive and while we welcome this news with great anticipation we do wonder, three years after the Scirocco first launched overseas, if it’s all a bit too late? We’d love to hear what you think.

[Source: Drive.com.au | Thanks to Al for the tip]

UPDATE: Volkswagen has set up a web portal allowing people to register their interest in the Scirocco R.

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Volkswagen

VW Australia boss raises Scirocco hopes

Volkswagen Scirocco R

Volkswagen Australia Managing Directo, Anke Koeckler, has lifted the hopes of local Scirocco fans by virtually confirming the car could be a surprise arrival in 2011.

Speaking to media at the launch of the Polo GTI Koeckler said, “It’s an amazing car, and I love this car as well—that’s why I’m working on that.

“It’s probably more a matter of when [it arrives].”

It’s likely the Scirocco would be brought in R specification only, which means a front-wheel drive 195kW/350Nm engine spec, outstripping the Australian spec Golf R by 7kW/20Nm.

The Scirocco has been available in Australia for some time now, but only as a non-factory import via a specialist importer. It’s a gorgeous looking car, but has the hype died down too much and the horse already bolted? Tell us what you think in the comments section below.

[Source: Drive.com.au | Thanks to Peter for the tip]

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Volkswagen

First Volkswagen Scirocco R arrives in Australia

Volkswagen Scirocco R

Back in March AUSmotive exclusively revealed news that the Volkswagen Scirocco could be imported to Australia under Federal Government’s Specialist & Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme. Under the conditions of the limited approval only two models of Scirocco are eligible, the top of the range Scirocco R and the Scirocco 2.0T.

As the image above shows the first Scirocco R to be imported to Australia under this scheme has now arrived in Sydney. The car was shown at an invitation only preview this morning at Scuderia Imports in conjunction with City Performance Centre.

AUSmotive could not be there but thanks to readers Eddie and Nathan we can bring you these pics. The Scirocco is a fantastic looking car and one has to question why Volkswagen Australia continues to sit on its hands in regards to official imports of this model.

As to the future of this first Australian Scirocco R, AUSmotive understands the owner has big plans for the car. Once it’s ready to go, expect to hear about it—it should be very special and definitely unique.

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Green Machines Motorsports Volkswagen

Volkswagen Scirocco Cup 2010

Volkswagen Scirocco Cup

The Volkswagen Scirocco R, one of AUSmotive’s favourite cars, is set to feature in a new one make series to support the DTM category in Germany. To help kick things off for the first round at Hockenheim this weekend five motorsport legends will participate in the racing action. Names such as Derek Bell, Frank Biela, Martin Brundle, Jacques Lafitte and Carlos Sainz will take to the track in the 275bhp race-prepped Sciroccos.

The horsepower legends will be a series within a series during the full nine race Scirocco Cup and Volkswagen will invite five new legends for each race. It’s a similar approach to the Uber-Star Car concept used in the Australian MINI Challenge.

In all 25 cars will take to the track for the Scirocco Cup with 20 regular drivers competing for either the Junior Cup or Pro Cup, depending on their previous motorsport experience. As the Hockenheim round Frank Biela will be competing against his own daughter, Isabella, who is one of the Junior Cup entrants for 2010. A father and daughter competing against each other in the same race, can’t say that happens every day!

The other headline feature of the Scirocco Cup category is its use of bio natural gas fuel which reduces the CO2 emissions of the field by around 80%. Clean, green motor racing, then. This new series is a further development on the two Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Sciroccos that took part in the 2009 Nürburgring 24 hour race.

Based on the Scirocco R road car the race car uses a push-to-pass system that offers drivers shorts bursts of extra power. In standard trim the Scriocco Cup car produces 165kW (down from the road car’s 195kW), but the push-to-pass system boosts power up to 202kW. The system can be used strategically to initiate or defend overtaking moves.

Until we see a Scirocco on Australian shores—and there is at least one on its way—the Scirocco Cup provides great exposure for one of Volkswagen’s best looking models in their current line up. More pics and press releases follow below.

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Volkswagen

EXCLUSIVE: VW Scirocco one step closer to Australian shores

Volkswagen Scirocco R

Cast your mind back to December last year, when news emerged that the 155kW Scirocco 2.0 TSI and 195kW Scirocco R had been granted approval under the Federal Government’s Specialist & Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme (SEVS). A post in the comments section of AUSmotive’s article revealed that this approval had been sought not by Volkswagen Australia, but by Melbourne-based importers the Australian Vehicle Import & Compliance Company (AVICCO). At the time I promptly fired off an email to AVICCO seeking further clarification of what this SEVS deal involved. Nothing…

…until yesterday morning. That was when I received the following news from a representative of AVICCO, “After a few ups and downs over a few months, we got the good news yesterday that we can bring USED Sciroccos under the RAWS scheme into Australia.”

Okay, the key word there is “used”. Perhaps not the way many Scirocco fans in Australia were hoping the car would arrive here, but given Volkswagen Australia’s apparent lack of willingness to introduce the model down under, this is a welcome step indeed. The variants of the Scirocco approved under the scheme, as noted, are the 2.0 TSI and R versions.

AVICCO have confirmed with AUSmotive that they have a client ready and willing to pony up the cash to bring in a sample car, sourced from the UK, to be used for compliance purposes. Assuming that process is given the sign off by the Feds, AVICCO expects to be in a position to offer the Scirocco to Australian customers in the second half of 2010.

Warranty and pricing information is still unconfirmed at this stage, but the 2.0 TSI version could well be in the same ball park as the current Golf GTI.

It’s hard to believe that it is as far back as May 2008 that it first became clear the Volkswagen Scirocco had a willing audience here in Australia. Now, almost two years on, it appears someone is ready to do what Volkswagen Australia won’t, and that is to bring the reality of the Scirocco on Australian shores within touching distance.

If you would like to be kept up to date on the progress of the Scirocco coming to Australia, I have been asked to invite you to send an email to AVICCO: sciroccoproject@avicco.com

UPDATE 14 March: Further clarification from AVICCO has been received on what the definition “used” might mean for their planned Volkswagen Scirocco imports. To qualify as a used vehicle under the relevant scheme a car only needs to have been registered in the original country, in this case the UK, before being put on a ship. For example, the registration period could be as little as one day. According to AVICCO, Australian customers could order a Scirocco to their exact spec and they will handle the rest. Sounds a bit better than importing a low mileage car that could have some question marks over it.

Categories
News Volkswagen

Is the Scirocco R20T heading down under?

Volkswagen Scirocco Studie R

This is the Scirocco Studie R, as revealed at the 2008 Bologna Motor Show. It gives 200kW a serious nudge and is loosely based on the GT24 racecar that won its class in last year’s Nürburgring 24 hour race. And it could be heading to Australia.

According to a news report on GoAuto, Volkswagen Australia can see a spot in its line up for the range topping Scirocco. If so, the Studie R, likely to be badged as the Scirocco R20T, would slot in above the GTI.

Currently, one in four Golfs sold in Australia is a GTI and Jutta Dierks, Volkswagen Australia’s managing director, is keen to protect the GTI’s niche. The regular Scirocco has been considered for Australia, but Volkswagen Australia wants to market it under the GTI. In other markets the GTI and entry level Sciroccos are similarly priced, so the fact Volkswagen Australia has been able to get the fatherland to play ball is no surprise. The falling Australian dollar is also conspiring against the Scirocco. Dierks has not given up hope of bringing the entry level Scirocco to Australia, but such an outcome remains unlikely.

So that brings Volkswagen Australia back to the Studie R. There are still some hurdles still to cross, though. At this stage nothing concrete has been said about the Studie R being made for right-hand drive markets. However, you’d expect such a car to sell like hot cakes in the UK, so it is reasonable to expect a version suitable for Australian import will exist at some point in the future.

Let’s hope so, because, potentially, the only thing holding back the Studie R from becoming a future classic is a Volkswagen rubber stamp.

If you would like to see the Scirocco on Australian roads, then why not send a message of support to Volkswagen Australia via their Contact Us page.