VW winds up Scirocco

May 20 2009 Steve Hughes

VW winds up Scirocco

VOLKSWAGEN has revealed a new high-powered version of its Scirocco, which will be the fastest-ever when it storms in here towards the end of the year.

Using a reworked two-litre turbocharged engine, it gains a significant power hike of 65bhp, which is more than the entire output of some superminis.

This takes the total generated to a new high of 265bhp, with a significant rise in torque over that of the standard Scirocco's 2.0-litre TSI engine.

It enables the Scirocco R to go like the wind with acceleration to 60mph in 6.4 seconds and a top speed that is electronically limited to 155mph.

Drive is channelled through the front wheels via a six-speed manual or DSG gearbox and there is the same traction control system as that of the new Golf GTI plus adaptive chassis control.

This allows the driver to select from normal, comfort or sport modes to optimise the suspension, steering and accelerator response settings. The braking system has also been uprated with larger discs and callipers finished in gloss black.

The mechanical enhancements are joined by a more muscular appearance with a new front bumper incorporating LED running lights, a trio of deep airdams plus Xenon headlights framing a new gloss black grille element set into which is a prominent R badge. The mirrors are capped in gloss black while the rubbing strips that run down either side of the standard Scirocco have been replaced by a set of body-coloured side skirts.

The rear of the car gets smoked light lenses and a new spoiler together with a prominent diffuser finished in gloss black mounted between

a pair of new oval tailpipes. The Scirocco badge and engine designation are deleted in favour of the Volkswagen badge and a single 'R' logo.

Completing the changes are a set of 18-inch five-spoke wheels with 19-inch versions available as an option.

Inside there are new sports seats with 'R' logos and there is a gloss black finish on the centre console, vents and door cards to replace the silver highlights of the standard car. A new three-spoke, flat-bottomed steering wheel finished in black leather with contrasting white stitching sits in front of new white backlit dials complete with blue needles unique to the 'R' models.

As standard the Scirocco R will be fitted with a touchscreen CD stereo, 2-Zone climate control, six airbags and electronic stability programme.

Prices will be announced in the summer.