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The Car and Driver Original Road Test and Information

Volkswagen’s new Scirocco is the product of an age-old formula that produces a sporty model that shares the bones of a comparatively pedestrian model. In the ’70s and ’80s, the Golf/Rabbit platform provided the basis for the first- and second-generation Sciroccos.

A Scirocco hasn’t been sold in the U.S. since the second-gen model of 1989, and the wait for one may continue as the new third-gen car probably won’t be coming to our shores. Although the car meets U.S. regulations, VW says the European-built Scirocco wouldn’t make enough money in the land of the weak dollar to merit selling it here. And VW is probably wary of potentially cannibalizing the sales of the GTI, a car also built in Europe.

We drove a version of the Scirocco that we think might have the best chance of getting sent across the Atlantic, the 200-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter version. The powertrain is identical to the one in the GTI, and not surprisingly, its acceleration is on par with that of the GTI. But VW is quick to point out that the Scirocco isn’t simply a rebodied GTI. The strut front-suspension design is shared with the GTI, but the track is wider. In back is a multilink suspension borrowed from the Passat but done in lightweight aluminum.

One option that would be worth considering is the three-mode adaptive suspension, dubbed DCC, that comes with Comfort, Normal, and Sport settings. Sport mode is the stiffest, as usual, but selecting it also dials back the amount of assist from the power steering. That gives the steering a very direct feel, which, coupled with the low seating position and the seemingly lower center of gravity, adds a sharp feel to the Scirocco that the GTI can’t quite match.

Aside from a few trim pieces and the door skins, this Scirocco’s interior is lifted wholesale from VW’s retractable hardtop, the two-door Eos. The most unusual aspect of the Scirocco’s interior is its low seating position.

In Europe, the Scirocco will be priced just above the GTI, and the Scirocco offers much of the driving pleasure that makes the far more expensive and also loosely GTI-based Audi TT feel special. Further running into the TT’s territory is a rumored 3.6-liter V-6 version with all-wheel drive that makes nearly 300 horsepower. VW officially denies its existence, but nonetheless, an in-house source confirms that such a car has already undergone testing at the Nürburgring. Now, quick, somebody fix the dollar.

Scirocco Photos

The LuxVelocity Article Update: Limited Edition VW Scirocco coming to the US?

According to LuxVelocity:

A sleeker and more sexy coupe could be what you would call the VW Scirocco coupe. It is no doubt a car from VW that drivers in the US want to get their hands for some turbo and DSG driving fun.

Back in March VW AG did not think it would be such a good idea to bring the car here because of "economic conditions" and the fact that it would "steal sales" from their hot hatch the GTI. Now reports from Automotivenews say that a special edition VW Scirocco could be offered here at a "higher price tag" than the VW GTI.  This announcement came via a US spokesman for VW who says executives are "rethinking the decision" of bringing the car the United States.

Where does one sign up for one? And how bout some colors that match the palettes from a Lamborghini Gallardo. That would be make it one very special Scirocco. It’s good to see executives at VW AG thinking about their US clients. This car has a heavy following and a group of passionate drivers that want to get their hands on the new Scirocco. Lets just hope they make the right decision.

This above entry is a re-print of two articles regarding the 2009 Scirocco. One appeared in Car and Driver and was authored by Juergen Zoellter in September of 2008; the other more recent article appears at AutoWeek, and was authored by April Wortham of AutoWeek. The images were found at those sites and in other third party sites online. Please check out both articles.

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