Volkswagen Scirocco R 2011 Review - International

Volkswagen Scirocco R

What we liked
>> Torquey engine
>> Polished front-drive dynamics
>> Coupe-like body style

Not so much
>> No external boot release
>> No adjustable seatbelt height
>> Rear three-quarter visibility

OVERVIEW
>> Well worth the wait
It's electronically limited to 250km/h; sprints from 0-100km/h in 6.0 seconds; and conquers the classic 0-1000m dash in 25.9 seconds. It's the Volkswagen Scirocco R, and it's finally on its way to Australia.

The sharpest tool in VW's hot hatch horde, Scirocco R uses the same turbocharged four-cylinder mill found beneath the bonnet of its twin-under-the-skin Golf R, outputting a total of 195kW/350Nm.

The seductive curves of Scirocco R's lightweight body belie the performance potential within, indeed the hot hatch cum grocery getter isn't readily identifiable as the potent pocket rocket it truly is. But therein lays its charm.

Make no mistake about it; Scirocco R is quick, agile and intriguingly attractive... And just wait until you hear the soundtrack.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
>> Comfortably crowded
Sharing amenity levels with sportier Golfs, the interior decor of Scirocco R features deeply contoured seats with embroidered 'R' logos on the headrests (available in cloth or leather, depending on market), contrasting aluminium-finish and gloss black trim accents, a leather-clad three-spoke steering wheel, leather park brake grip, leather gearshift sock, bright alloy pedals and a 300km/h speedo.

The equipment list also includes dusk-sensing bi-xenon headlamps (with dynamic levelling, washers and static cornering lamps), LED daytime running lamps, dual-zone climate control, cruise control and an eight-speaker single-CD tuner with auxiliary audio input socket. Sat Nav and Bluetooth connectivity are optional, though Australian spec cars will receive Bluetooth as standard..

Volkswagen also offers a 'Light and Sight' package optionally on Scirocco R -- in Europe at least -- which includes footwell lamps, automatic running light switch with coming/leaving home functions, rain sensing wipers and an electrochromatic rear-view mirror. This too will be included on Australian models.

We will also receive cruise control and adaptive chassis control as standard, leather and sunroof the only other likely optional extras.

Australian specification will be finalised when Scirocco R goes on sale here in February 2012, though orders can be placed from this week.

Scirocco R will be priced from $47,490 for the six-speed manual model and $49,990 with DSG.

MECHANICAL
>> R-eady and R-aring to go
Offered with the choice of six-speed manual or DSG (dual-clutch) automatic transmissions, Scirocco R draws motivation from Volkswagen's EA113 direct-injected, turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.

Outputting specific power of 97.5kW per litre, this potent mill delivers peak power of 195kW at 6000rpm and peak torque of 350Nm between 2500 and 5000rpm.

In Australian variants, this tune will be trimmed to 188kW/330Nm, the same as Golf R.

Power is put to the front wheels via Volkswagen's XDL electronic limited slip diff, an extension of the car's stability control system, familiar to that found in GTI versions of Golf and Polo. Scirocco R is suspended by a MacPherson strut front/four-link rear arrangement available with tri-mode Adaptive Chassis Control (DCC).

Rolling on 18-inch Talladega alloy wheels shod with 235/40 rubber, Scirocco R can be further optioned with similarly-styled 19-inch rims -- these will be offered standard on Australian models. Both combinations are offered in conjunction with four-wheel disc brakes measuring 345mm up front and 310mm at the rear. The brake callipers are finished in gloss black, independent of the body colour.

Both the stability control system and electro-mechanical power steering arrangements are modified to offer a "sportier" feel, while the double-flow exhaust provides ample resonance for the car's obvious athletic intentions.

In spite of its impressive performance, average fuel economy is rated at 8.2L/100km with CO2 emissions of just 192g/km.

PACKAGING
>> Pumped, stoked, starved and smoked
The no-nonsense version of Volkswagen's third-generation Scirocco is themed around the motif of "form follows function". Evidently, this translates to a trio of large air intakes in the front bumper, aimed at cooling the engine and brakes, a diffuser and rear spoiler at the rear, aimed at reducing aerodynamic lift, and smoked tail lamps lenses aimed at, well, looking good, we guess.

In profile, Scirocco R is characterised by pumped arches and side skirts, 18 or 19-inch alloys and glossy black-painted wing mirrors.

Measuring in at 4264mm long, 1810mm wide and 1394mm high Scirocco R is longer, wider and squatter than its hatchback rival (Golf R). It also runs a longer wheelbase (+4mm), wider track front (+20mm) and rear (+46mm), and is significantly lighter (-163kg).

Inside, and despite its sleeker roofline, Scirocco offers ample accommodation for four adults, even if access to the rear seat is awkward by way of the front seat's chunky lateral bolsters.

Cargo capacity, too, is larger than Golf when the rear seats are in place; Scirocco R offering 292 litres against Golf R's 275. The situation, however, works in Golf R's favour when folding the 50:50 split fold rear buckets, Scirocco R offering 755 litres to Golf R's 1230.

SAFETY
>> Ahead of the curve... For now
Tested by EuroNCAP in 2009, Scirocco scored a five-star safety rating with good marks in adult (87 per cent) and child (73 per cent) occupant protection and for its driver assist systems (71 per cent).

Among its generous list of safety equipment, Scirocco models include as standard stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes with EBA and EBD, six airbags (front, side and curtain), seatbelt reminders, tyre pressure indicator, three-point seatbelts (with load limiters and pretensioners up front) and ISOFIX childseat preparation.

Pedestrian impact is rated as average (at 51 per cent), this outcome likely to affect Scirocco's star rating when more stringent testing criteria is applied from next year.

With 184kW/340Nm, the French offering doesn't trump the Scirocco R for power, but despite being heavier, is slightly quicker. Dynamically, too, we're certain the Renault Sport Megane 250 would be a credible contender, and would very likely out-brake Scirocco R with its powerful four-pot Brembos.

Scandinavian stalwart Volvo C30 T5 R-Design, and its soulful 169kW/320Nm five-cylinder engine, doesn't match the performance of Scirocco R, but is stylistically its nearest rival. While certainly slower, the slick Swede shouldn't be discounted for what its character has to offer the class. But in contrast to our local newcomer, may suffer from a perceived older design.

Italy's high-spec Giulietta QV ranks nearer to Scirocco R in style, but in substance falls short offering 173kW/300Nm from its turbocharged 1.8-litre engine. Handling, too, is not as sharp as that experienced from the Volkswagen, Scirocco R sharper in the steering department, with less torque steer evident.

ON THE ROAD

Grip is terrific, the car's taut chassis and clever XDL differential delivering sublime road holding. The ride is welcomingly compromised, in spite of the car's sportier tune -- steering feel equally impressive allowing accurate control over proceedings, a welcome asset on narrow, winding mountain passes.

Push too hard and tyre howl will let you know to ease off before electronic intervention takes hold. Great for those who really want to drive their car while retaining the peace of mind of stability control.

Driving both DSG and manual variants the performance difference is negligible, however it has to be said the soundtrack on the self-shifting six-speed with its blip between gears is quite addictive.

Volkswagen's torquey four-cylinder TSI mill never wants for power. Quick gear changes at 6000rpm (the car's peak output figure) offer scintillating acceleration both from rest and in-gear. VW claims Scirocco R will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6.0 seconds when fitted with a DSG transmission, a figure we have no trouble believing.

What's more, the car consumed an average of 10.5L/100km despite very hard driving, Autobahn stretches to Frankfurt included.

Running hard into corners across more than 80 hairpin turns, Scirocco R's brakes never softened, the strong stoppers aided by near-perfect pedal modulation offering pin-point braking accuracy.

While we'll have to wait to see just how well Scirocco R contends with Australian roads, some of the poorer surfacing on the Italian side of the border did little to rattle Scirocco R's poise. On smoother Swiss roads the sexy hatch proved infallible, even keeping pace with a group of all-wheel drive Subaru WRXs, presumably out for a Sunday drive.

If we had to nit pick, the car's lack of an external boot release (you'll need to use the key or the driver's door-mounted release) did prove annoying, as did the lack of visibility when viewed through the C-pillar. But if you can live with these small concessions Scirocco R is a brilliant package I for one am glad is finally on its way Down Under.

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