Volkswagen Scirocco — At the Cutting Edge of Attack

There is a legend that the first Scirocco was merely a reskin of the first-generation Golf. In fact, it was quite the opposite: the Golf I reached dealers only a few months after sales of the Scirocco began.

The solid rear light cluster combined with the high bumper line looks gorgeous, but noticeably complicates loading things into the modest trunk.

The life path of the Scirocco, alas, turned out to be not as long as that of the Golf. First, the model was replaced by the Corrado, a car that enjoyed a certain popularity among enthusiasts. But it too failed to keep this vibrant direction afloat in the Volkswagen lineup. As a result, in 1995, the history of the brand's spirited three-door hatchbacks was interrupted.

Let's fast-forward from 1974 to 2006: it was then that the company's management decided to resurrect the Scirocco. By that time, competitors already had cars close in spirit and concept. And so, on August 24, 2006, in Berlin, the public was first shown the Volkswagen Iroc concept car, painted in a poisonous green shade, referencing the fashionable palette of the 70s. Even the color name remained the same — viperngrun metallic, that is, "green viper metallic."

The interior has plenty of truly charismatic solutions — take, for example, the original door handles or the design of the gearshift lever.

The premiere sparked heated debate: would the production car retain the same brightness and appeal? Would marketers turn the elegant concept into a gray and faceless "soap bar," of which there are plenty on the roads?

Later, the global automotive community breathed a sigh of relief: the car went into production almost unchanged compared to the show car.

Red body for the Scirocco is perhaps the second most appropriate option after the signature ultra-green.

Our acquaintance with the Scirocco took place shortly after the model appeared at dealers. True, we got a car not in the classic green version, but in red. And I must say, this color turned out to be no less attractive, and in some ways even more advantageous.

Bulging rear wheel arches, a taut front end, and a roofline sloping toward the stern — all this gives the Scirocco's silhouette a truly swift appearance. On the road, the car looks like a lean service dog of a fighting breed, chasing after a violator.

The seats in the Scirocco are grippy: they reliably hold the driver and passengers in place, but do not deprive them of comfort.

The wide black faux radiator grille resembles a giant mouth and contrasts with the narrow upper grille and squinting predatory headlights, over which the hood hangs like a stern brow. Massive doors with frameless windows complete the picture. The high-raised trunk line looks impressive, but from the point of view of loading convenience, it is debatable. Although, honestly, this car is hardly created for trips to supermarkets. Despite the fact that the manufacturer positions it as a spacious and fast four-seat coupe, in essence it is a frivolous toy for successful and wealthy young people.

The trunk volume is, of course, small, but for a car of this class it is clearly not the main thing.

The interior does not flaunt futuristic frills. Here, verified ergonomics still reign, seasoned with a pinch of sporty accents: a three-spoke steering wheel with comfortable grips and a flattened bottom, anatomical bucket seats that hold well in corners and do not tire on long journeys.

In the back row, two adults will sit comfortably — and precisely two, since the sofa is shaped, and between the seats there is a noticeable rise that will not allow a third to sit. The trim materials, as is customary for Volkswagen, are pleasant to the touch, and the fit of parts is impeccable.

The swift silhouette of the Scirocco is successfully complemented by 10-spoke wheels of a decent diameter. Clean lines, without a single extra detail.

Now about the technical filling. The Scirocco is based on the fifth-generation Volkswagen Golf GTI platform.

Their wheelbase is the same — 2578 millimeters, but the new Scirocco acquired a wider track: 35 millimeters wider in front and 59 millimeters wider in the rear. That is why it looks so broad-shouldered.

For the Russian market, only two engines are available: 2.0 TSI and 1.4 TSI, producing 200 and 122 hp respectively. Both units work in tandem with the proprietary preselective "robot" DSG with two clutches: for the two-liter — a six-speed version, for the one-and-a-half-liter — a seven-speed one. The only exception is the 1.4-liter engine, for which a six-speed manual can also be ordered.

Getting to the back row is not easy, but for such a coupe it is expected and tolerable. But the sofa itself offers a decent amount of space for two passengers of average build.

In our test, we had a version with a 1.4 TSI engine producing 160 hp, working in conjunction with DSG. This tandem accelerates the Scirocco to 100 km/h in 8 seconds. This reserve is enough for brisk city maneuvers and confident overtaking on the highway. However, deliveries of this modification to Russia were discontinued, giving preference to the 122-horsepower unit. Replacing a powerful and driving engine with a deliberately weaker one — and even in a car that the brand positions as sporty — you will agree, is at least a strange decision.

Having become wider than its donor — the Golf GTI — and lower by as much as 97 millimeters, the Scirocco acquired sharper steering responses. Almost ideal handling is achieved thanks to a perfectly tuned chassis. The car unconditionally follows the steering wheel, clearly tracing the given arc, and this sometimes even tires slightly — everything is too correct and precise, without a spark. But it is precisely this confidence in behavior that a potential buyer needs.

The broad-shouldered and low-slung Scirocco on the road will not yield to some sports cars.

Add to this the playful pops from the perfectly tuned exhaust when shifting gears — and you get the ideal car for the young and ambitious, not burdened by family and household worries that force one to choose more practical cars.

Dmitry Malygin