VW Scirocco is a real driver’s car
THE VW Scirocco drives like a dream and is one of the best driver’s cars on the market.
When it was launched I wasn’t convinced by its “squashed Golf” looks but familiarity has improved the styling tremendously.
Looks aside, this is one seriously superb and magical driving car, right up there with similar offerings from BMW.
VW somehow managed to distill even more of what makes the Golf GTI great and fit it all into a two-door coupe, creating something which is truly extraordinary.
It’s immensely agile and composed, superbly surefooted – 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.
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 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.
Tremendous grip brings almost unbelievable road-holding and the brakes are more than a match to tame all the horses when required.
It even rides beautifully without the adaptive suspension, with a suppleness that belies the marvellous cornering verve.
Petrol engines are 1.4-TSi with power from 125bhp to 160bhp and 2.0-litre with 138bhp to 216bhp. Diesels are 2.0-litre TDI with 138bhp to 184bhp.
Even the cheapest 1.4 turbo racks up 60mph in under 10 seconds, and the smooth 2.0-litre petrol is a gem, with huge acceleration from almost any speed.
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.
There is plenty of legroom front and rear, equipment is good to excellent across the range.
Pay about £11,600 for an ’08 08-reg GT, or £14,600 for the same model on a 10 plate.