A dream drive
VOLKSWAGEN somehow managed to distil even more of what makes the Golf GTI great when it produced the Scirocco coupe and it created something which is truly extraordinary.
This is one of the best driver’s cars on the market.
When it launched I wasn’t convinced by its “squashed Golf” looks but familiarity has improved that styling tremendously.
The Scirocco has been with us since 2008, and only went out of production two years ago.
It’s immensely agile and composed, superbly sure footed even on twisting roads with poor surfaces, and later models can be fitted with an adaptive suspension system that brings improved comfort over long journeys. This is one seriously magical driving car, right up there with similar offerings from BMW. From summer 2014, a facelift brought a more distinctive and aggressive look and a revised range of petrol and diesel engines offering more power. The makeover was
The Volkswagen Scirocco is a stunning drive, but go for a model with as many extras as possible completed with new alloys and a refreshed interior with extra dials.
The handling is exquisite, with great steering feel bettered by no other mainstream car on the market.
And tremendous grip brings almost unbelievable roadholding, with brakes more than a match to tame all the horses when required.
It even rides beautifully without the adaptive suspension, and has a suppleness that belies the marvellous cornering verve.
Petrol engines start with a 1.4 TSI turbo that has between 125 and 160bhp. The 125 covers 0 to 60 in 9 seconds and has a Government economy figure of 52mpg, while the more powerful unit does the sprint in 7.7 and will do 42mpg.
Then comes a 2-litre TSi with between 177 and 216bhp. These are real flyers, covering the sprint in between 7.2 and 6.3 seconds, while managing around 46mpg.
Diesels are all 2.0-litre TDI units with 138 to 184bhp. The 138 sprints to 60 in nine seconds and can do 67mpg, while the 184 takes 7.3 seconds and can do 64mpg.
Even the cheapest 1.4 turbo is not slow and gives plenty of fun, but the smooth 2-litre petrol is a gem, with huge acceleration from almost any speed, and the diesel’s economy and performance combination will make it the best for regular long journeys.
Despite a fairly high roofline, the Scirocco’s not the practical coupe it initially looks, with a small boot and rear seats for two that are not easy to get into. If you need extra practicality then opt for the Golf GTI or GTD five doors. There is plenty of
legroom front and rear, but equipment in standard trims is only fair, so make sure any that you are interested in have all the bells and whistles you want.
The mid-range GT has alloys, excellent adjustment for the sports seats, heated mirrors, alarm, traction control, audio remote and front foglights. But as standard, there’s no sat nav, no cruise, and no reversing sensors, all of which should be part of the package. Also, the long doors are very awkward in car parks and make reaching the seatbelt an absolute pain.
Pay about £10,900 for a ’15 15-reg 2.0 TSI Bluemotion Tech GT, or £15,690 for a ‘17 17-reg 2.0 TDI R-Line Bluemotion Tech.