The launch of the VW Scirocco in Germany and UK is scheduled for the end of August, while the launch in Europe and Japan will be - respectively - on November 208 and May 2009.

The new Scirocco will be produced at “Volkswagen Autoeuropa – Automóveis Ltda.” plant in Palmela, Portugal.

Design

The third Scirocco is the first Volkswagen to sport the new front end design with chrome lamp bodies and high-sheen black interior surfaces of the headlamp housings that are joined by the radiator grille cross bar, also painted in high-sheen black.

The Volkswagen design team created a wagon-coupé based on flawless sports car fundamentals.

This resulted in a side profile that had the potential to imbue this new Volkswagen too with a status that goes beyond class distinctions.

Thanks to its long sweeping roofline and near-vertical rear window, it also frees up space for variability and up to 755 liters of cargo capacity.

With its short overhangs, the Scirocco efficiently utilizes its 2,578 millimeter wheelbase to offer ample space.

The car is 1,404 millimeters tall, 4,256 millimeters long and its width measures 1,810 millimeters.

Concept

VW Scirocco Model Year 1974	VW Scirocco GT (1978)	VW Scirocco GTX 16V (1986)

VW Scirocco 'White Cat' (1985)

The original Scirocco, designed by Giorgio Giugiaro, was presented in 1974.

In contrast to many of its competitors of that time, it was an affordable car with everyday utility, and front-wheel drive also made it a safe sports car for use every day of the year.

The first generation, which debuted in 1974, was built in 504,153 units, while the second generation, launched in 1981, was produced in 291,497 units, for a total of nearly 800,000 vehicles built.

The new Scirocco is extending this tradition by offering driving pleasure, a sporty design, high-end technologies combined with relatively low costs, space for four adults and everyday utility.

Although the third generation of the Scirocco follows exactly the same positioning as the first one, Volkswagen intentionally avoided retro elements.

In this regard too, the Scirocco of the year 2008 is a conceptually counterpart to the original version: because in the mid-1970s the successor to the Karmann Ghia also set out on new paths, both technically and visually.

At the market introduction Volkswagen will offer the Scirocco with two TSI engines (118 kW / 160 PS and 147 kW / 200 PS).

Shortly thereafter, a TDI (common rail turbo-diesel, 103 kW / 140 PS) and another TSI (90 kW / 122 PS) will be added to the engine lineup.

Standard equipment on the Scirocco is the 6-speed transmission. The DSG dual clutch transmission is offered as an option on the three engines starting at 140 PS.

The 325 hp Scirocco GT24 racing version debuted at the 24-hour race on the Nürburgring in May 2008 and scored a double victory in its class

The chassis features the DCC adaptive control system, capable of adjusting the damper characteristic and the electro-mechanical power steering. Adaptive chassis control offers the three programs “Normal”, “Sport” and “Comfort”. The system also reacts to accelerator, brake and steering inputs.

Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, height-adjustable driver and front passenger seats, leather steering wheel, parking brake handle and shifting lever grip, sport seats, split folding rear seatbacks, power windows, air conditioning, ESP, braking assistant, six airbags, power steering and of course a sport chassis.

On the top 200 hp model, VW offers chrome tailpipes, a “Titanium black” roof liner and a sound generator.

The optional large panorama vent sunroof extends from the A-pillars to the B-pillars. At the press of the button the transparent roof opens up to 39 millimeters. When the sun is intense, a sunshade can be driven into place.

The glass of the sunroof only transmits 8.2 percent of the UV radiation, 2.8 percent of the infrared radiation (heat) and 6.9 percent of the visible light.

VW Scirocco - Technical Specifications

Dimensions and design

• Dimensions: 4,256 mm long, 1,810 mm wide, 1,404 mm tall, extremely wide tread width (front 1,569 mm, rear 1,575 mm)
• Cargo capacity: 292 liters to 755 liters
• Colors: “Candy white”, “Rising blue metallic”, “Deep black pearl effect”, “Reflex silver metallic”, “Shadow blue metallic”, “Beryllium gray metallic”, “Dark maroon metallic”, “Opal silver metallic”, “Salsa red”, “Viper green metallic” (the latter in homage to the first generation of Sciroccos)
• Design: Visual look of flawless sports car fundamentals, first Volkswagen with new front end design, wagon-coupé with extremely long roof (1.8 meters).
• Design responsibility: Walter de Silva (Group), Klaus Bischoff (Brand)

Powertrain

• Drive: Front-wheel
• Engine power range: 90 kW / 122 PS to 147 kW / 200 PS, all engines are charged, all engines up to 160 PS satisfy Euro-5 emissions standard*
• Engines – diesel (TDI): 103 kW / 140 PS, 125 kW / 170 PS
• Engines – gasoline (TSI): 90 kW / 122 PS, 118 kW / 160 PS, 147 kW / 200 PS
• Fuel consumption range: 5.4 to 7.7 liters fuel per 100 kilometers
• Chassis: McPherson front suspension, four-link rear suspension, ESP is standard
• Standard transmission: 6-speed manual
• Automatic transmission: 6-speed and 7-speed DSG

Features and equipment

• VW Scirocco GTI (1976)

  High-tech driving systems: DCC adaptive chassis control, ACC automatic distance control (starting early 2009)
• Infotainment: Two radio systems, two radio-navigation systems, 300 Watt Dynaudio sound system, MEDIA-IN port (USB)
• Safety: Six airbags, exceptionally rigid body, ESP, Isofix child seat mounting brackets, special pedestrian protection features, front passenger airbag can be deactivated (for rear-facing child seat), in case of crash: automatic activation of hazard flasher and interior lights, automatic door opening, automatic deactivation of fuel pump
• Standard features: Include 17-inch alloy wheels, height-adjustable driver and front passenger seats, leather steering wheel and parking brake handle, newly designed sport seat system, split folding rear seatbacks, power windows, air conditioning, ESP, braking assistant, six airbags, power steering with countersteer feature, sport chassis

(Source: Volkswagen)