Volkswagen Scirocco

Volkswagen Scirocco at a glance

Every Scirocco is a front-wheel-drive three-door with a transverse four-cylinder engine. More Volkswagen models are listed in our Volkswagen catalogue, and its everyday sibling is covered in our Volkswagen Golf article.

Volkswagen Scirocco generations

First generation (1974–1981)

The first Scirocco was built on the Golf's VW Group A1 platform as a three-door only. Large round headlights sat in a dark plastic grille, with rectangular fog lamps beneath the protruding bumper. Inside, a three-spoke steering wheel faced two large dials (speed and revs, the latter with fuel and temperature gauges), and two round instruments on the tunnel included a clock.

Engines were naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol units of 1.1 to 1.6 litres with carburettors or injection, producing 37–74 kW (50–100 PS) and 80–137 Nm. Four- or five-speed manuals and a three-speed automatic drove the front wheels. Suspension used MacPherson struts at the front and coil springs with trailing arms at the rear; steering had no power assistance, and the brakes were front discs and rear drums.

Second generation (1981–1992)

The second Scirocco brought a new design with two rectangular headlights on each side. It was updated after 1984 and built until 1992, when it gave way to the Volkswagen Corrado (in production since 1987). It weighed 950–970 kg. The interior had a four-spoke wheel, a rectangular cluster with two large dials, vertical air vents and handy shelves beneath the dashboard.

Petrol four-cylinders of 1.3 to 1.8 litres, with eight or sixteen valves and carburettors or multi-point injection, produced 44–102 kW (60–139 PS) and 100–168 Nm. The car is remembered for attractive styling, a strong, reliable structure, good build quality, cheap parts, excellent handling and decent performance — but also a cramped cabin, poor sound insulation, low ground clearance and high fuel consumption.

Third generation (2008–2017)

The image-building three-door coupé returned in 2008. Six years without significant updates hurt demand, so a facelifted 2015 model-year version was shown in 2014 with sportier styling, a modernised interior, new equipment and more powerful, more economical engines.

The facelift brought new headlights — bi-xenon with LED daytime running light contours on better-equipped cars, halogen on base versions — new bumpers with aerodynamic elements, a narrow grille and a lower trapezoidal intake covered in coarse mesh, and new alloy wheels of 17 to 19 inches (on the Scirocco R). Ground clearance is 129 mm, or 121 mm on the sports version. At the rear there are new LED tail lights, LED number-plate lighting, a reshaped tailgate and a bumper with a diffuser.

The cabin seats four. The driving position is excellent, with a new three-spoke multifunction wheel flattened at the bottom, two dials with a colour trip computer display and heated front seats with Easy Entry. Three extra gauges above the centre console show boost pressure, oil temperature and a stopwatch. Materials and build quality are high. The GTS adds a sports wheel with red stitching, stainless-steel pedals, red contrast details and a golf-ball gear knob. The boot holds 312 litres, or 1,006 litres with the split rear seats folded.

Engines and transmissions (third generation)

After the 2014 update the smaller TSI rose to 92 kW (125 PS), and 2.0 TSI engines were offered with 132, 162 or 206 kW (180, 220 or 280 PS); European buyers could also choose modernised diesels with 110 and 135 kW (150 and 184 PS). The 1.4 engines come with a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG; the most powerful engine is DSG-only.

The Scirocco III uses the PQ35 platform, with MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link rear axle. The electromechanical steering has variable assistance and sport modes, and the brakes are discs all round (ventilated at the front). Even the base car has ABS, EBD, brake assist, traction control and ESP, plus front, side and curtain airbags, hill-start assist, 17-inch alloys and a touchscreen audio system with eight speakers.

Key specifications by generation

Strengths and weaknesses

The third Scirocco stands out for its sporty, youthful looks, high build quality, powerful engines, good equipment and plenty of electronic driver aids; optional packages make it feel even more like a sports car. Space is limited, as expected of a 2+2 coupé. Rivals included the Volvo V40, Citroën DS4, Opel Astra GTC, BMW 1 Series, Alfa Romeo Giulietta and Audi A3.