A rival to the Ariel...
A rival to the Ariel Atom, the sporty two-seater is powered by a Cosworth-tuned turbocharged Audi engine developing 250bhp. That should provide it with a 0-60mph sprint time of less than four seconds.
Based on information...
Based on information from Auto Express sources in Germany, the mag"s images reveal exactly what we have to look forward to. Delivering all the thrills of the Golf GTI in a more performance oriented package, the Scirocco will be VW"s first fully fledged coup탩 since the Corrado was axed in 1996.
In issue 884, we revealed how top brass had let slip their plans in an official press release - and now we have uncovered all the details about the new coup탩. In a statement issued about the recent Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas, bosses said: "VW"s current model lines are simply one wave of a torrent of new cars. Further down the line, these will include a 2+2 coup탩 that harks to the heyday of the Scirocco."
This was an unsubtle hint at the car shown here. Surprisingly, it won"t use the existing Golf"s underpinnings. Engineers are already working on the next-generation car, and it"s this that the Scirocco will share its chassis with.
While the original 1974 coup탩 was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, VW"s modern version will be penned in-house. Echoing the aggressive front and blunt rear of the Corrado, the newcomer wears its GTI badges with pride. It also shares the hot Golf"s grille design, and takes further inspiration from the EcoRacer concept, which we drive exclusively for the first time.
Inside, the Scirocco will have room for four. The cabin will be cosseting, with the rising waistline and low seating position giving a sporty feel, but a glass roof will still let in plenty of light. Many interior components are to be shared with other VW models, but the dashboard will get a unique look. However, designers won"t forget the importance of practicality, fitting the Scirocco with a conventional tailgate and a large boot, providing generous luggage space.
While the original Scirocco fought it out with the Ford Capri, the all-new model will have a modern legend to challenge - Audi"s next TT. For the first time, the premium marque looks set to produce a three-door hatchback version of its sportster, similar to the Shooting Brake concept revealed at the recent Tokyo Motor Show.
However, when the Scirocco goes on sale in less than three years" time, it will come with a far more varied engine range than the Audi, and is likely to be considerably cheaper to buy.
No prices have been set for the new Scirocco, but sources in Germany have suggested entry-level models will cost around í‚á£17,000. The cheapest versions will be powered by the firm"s new 1.4-litre turbo and supercharged TSI engine, tuned to produce 140bhp or 170bhp. The Golf GTI"s 200bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder powerplant will be available, as well as a 170bhp 2.0-litre TDI diesel variant, while a 3.2-litre V6 flagship is also expected. Buyers will have a choice of either six-speed manual or DSG clutchless manual transmissions.
While VW has said that it will make further announcements at the 2006 SEMA event, a concept version of the Scirocco isn"t expected to debut until the Geneva Motor Show in 2007. It will then be around a year before the coup탩 appears in right-hand-drive form, allowing the first buyers to take delivery before the summer of 2008.