Wednesday 31st May 2006

VW to revive Scirocco

Iconic coupé emerges from Wolfsburg in 2008

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VW Scirocco GTL

VW is to revive the Scirocco -- the coupé that preceded the much-loved and now mourned Corrado -- and which was first launched in 1979.

The Scirocco will be Golf-based and, not unconnected with that choice, the decision to build it follows some serious haggling and argument within the Wolfsburg-based company. The outcome was some serious cost-cutting, according to Autocar.

By all accounts, it'll be characterised by short overhangs, low height and tautly drawn surfaces with a steeply raked windscreen. Production's expected to start un 2008, and no more than 150,000 will be made, some 30,000 of which will make it to these shores.

The Golf hardware has been beefed up to suit the new machine's need for sharp ride and handling characteristics. It'll be a bit wider and longer than the Golf, with MacPherson struts at the front and the much acclaimed multi-link rear suspension.

Motive power for the base model will probably come from the Golf GT's super- and turbo-charged 1.4-litre FSI Twincharger, which provides plenty of power for its weight. Higher up the scale, it could get the 2.0-litre four-pot from the Golf GTi, plus a 4Motion version at the top end using the 280bhp 3.6-litre V6.

We'll wait for an official announcement from VW before celebrating, though: in August 2004, Autocar predicted the return of a rear-wheel-drive version of the Corrado, which we've yet to see...

^{Photo by Richard Markham-Smith}

[uksleeper]

Thats a nice retro looking concept picture. Captured the essence of the original well there VW!!!!!

[r988]

Wouldn't something like this cut into the Audi TT market

[leozwalf]

I fear this will be much the same as similar revivals. It won't catch the spirit of the original, will be overweight and underpowered.

[dinkel]

Few weeks ago . . .

[Phil Dicky]

dinkel said:

Few weeks ago . . .

Thats just looks like a cop out to me, just another 3 door hatch.

[paulie-mafia]

Phil Dicky said:

dinkel said: Few weeks ago . . . Thats just looks like a cop out to me, just another 3 door hatch.

Looks better from the front IMO, but I agree - they could have made it a bit sleeker. They should call it Corrado as well....

[dinkel]

paulie-mafia said:

They should call it Corrado as well....

Here YUGO!

[paulie-mafia]

dinkel said:

paulie-mafia said: They should call it Corrado as well.... Here YUGO!

URGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! That's not a Corrado, that's a Passat with 2 doors!

[leonski]

Does this mean that the 2007 remix of the corrado isn't going to happen, or that that project is now gone Scirocco.
Either way lets hope that its done properly and we have another top vdub future classic......make mine a V6 Herr Volkswagen.

[MJK 24]

leozwalf said:

I fear this will be much the same as similar revivals. It won't catch the spirit of the original, will be overweight and underpowered.

I agree - they'd better make a good go of it. Looking at the Mk5 Golf GTi, they've got everything in place they need to make it handy to drive.

Think the original Scirocco was launched in 1974 and not 1979 though. At least on the continent.

[m.c]

well if it goes down the same lines of VWs of late, itll be a snore-fest,

[nickwilcock]

I bought my first Scirocco in 1979 and later bought another in 1981. Cracking little cars, I loved 'em. But the Mark 2 was hideous compared to the Guigaro-designed Mark 1, so when the time came to replace my lovely metallic blue T-reg GLS, it had to be another manufacturer's car - the Opel Manta.

The Corrado didn't quite have the appeal of the Mark 1 Scirocco, although it was very quick. Perhaps VW's forthcoming car will have both performance AND style? But hopefully not the 'guppy fish at feeding time' grille which seems to be the current VW and Audi obsession....