Volkswagen Scirocco R from $46K

Australian pricing for the facelifted 2015 Volkswagen Scirocco R has been announced, with a price drop of $2000 on both the six-speed manual and auto models.

The manual VW Scirocco R is now priced at $45,990, while the six-speed DSG automatic variant is pegged at $48,490, and along with the price reduction there's more equipment, adding "enhanced value" says the importer.

The sleek, low-roofed, front-drive turbo four-cylinder Volkswagen hatch gets a new look for 2015, sporting xenon headlights,  LED running lights, indicators and brake lights, matte chrome mirrors and a more assertive front fascia design. Its new front end provides the car with a wider, more aggressive appearance, while the rear end features new brake lights and subtle changes to the bumper.

Inside the car, changes include a new-look dashboard inspired by the original 1974 Scirocco, complete with updated primary instrument dials and ancillary gauges: lap counter, turbo pressure, oil temperature. Features such as a rear view camera, plus front and rear parking sensors and adaptive dampers are also added, joining the 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with sat-nav and striking 19-inch alloy wheels.

Volkswagen's feisty 188kW/330Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine returns for active duty, seeing the front-drive Scirocco accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6.0 seconds flat with the auto, or 6.2 seconds with the manual.

We reviewed the new Scirocco R in late 2014, awarding it 77/100, the only major criticism being its overly firm suspension.

Fuel economy has also been improved slightly thanks to a recalibrated ECU, dropping automatic models from 8.1 to 8.0L/100km.

Volkswagen will be hoping the updated 2015 Scirocco will deliver an uptick in sales this year, after 2014's tally dropped by almost 60 per cent, from 445 in 2013 to 183 in 2014.

The Scirocco's major rival, Renault Megane RS, more than doubled its 2014 sales with 530 cars finding homes in Australia.