It seems the Volkswagen Scirocco and I share a birthday; like me, the pretty coupé arrived in the world back in 1974. To celebrate I recently threw a party, fed some friends, had a face painter around to amuse the children, consumed more than I should have and got an I O U from my wife for a new watch. For the Scirocco, Volkswagen has made some styling changes, though enthusiastic as the personnel are to point them out, they’re nowhere near as transformative as seeing a child being turned into a tiger in front of you. Subtle then, much as it’s always been, Volkswagen’s Scirocco trading on its relatively conservative looks. The changes in its 40th year are more nip and tuck than full-on mid-life crisis facelift.
Squint and you’ll spot new headlights, revised driving lights, re-profiled front and rear bumpers and all LED tail lamps. Inside, if you’re really familiar with the ‘old’ Scirocco, you might spot the instruments that are now housed in deeper cowls. What you’ll not miss are the three supplementary dials atop the centre console, Volkswagen saying these are an homage to the original Scirocco – in the case of the dodgy red digital clock perhaps a bit too much of an homage. It jars in the otherwise beautifully executed interior, which might not have been extensively altered, but retains Volkswagen’s always exacting attention to detail, fine build quality and familiarity of function that keeps the firm leagues ahead of its rivals for cabin ambience and want-me desirability.
In its 40th year it consumes a bit less fuel, not so much that you’d notice, particularly in the range-topping R model. There are other Sciroccos, but if you’re going to go for the Golf’s prettier relation, then it might as well be the best performing variant. The new model, like its predecessor, is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. Power is now quoted at 280hp, some 15hp more than before, that benefits the performance, but again not so much that you’ll feel an uncontrollable urge to replace your existing Scirocco R.
Unlike its Golf R relation the Scirocco R is front-wheel drive; indeed the coupé’s engine is a different, older, unit to the Golf’s, the latter of which also benefits from an output of 300hp. Volkswagen charges more for the Scirocco too, though argues that the standard specification on the coupé is more generous.
Honestly, it doesn’t need it, as the Scirocco R is mighty quick regardless, even if the Golf R’s greater traction allows it to beat it to 100kph. Five point five seconds for the Scirocco, compared to 4.9 for the Golf. If that matters to you then buy the Golf, though it’ll not feel as special.
Few will option it in this part of the world, but the Scirocco R is best sampled with a manual gearbox. As good as Volkswagen’s DSG twin-clutch automatic is, its keenness to run the 2.0-litre turbo engine to its redline does it a disservice, making for frenetic progress unless you take command with the paddle shifters all the time. The manual reveals the engine’s most appealing facet: its mid-range muscle. It feels uncharacteristically strong in the middle portion of the rev counter needle’s sweep, and that deep-chested-delivery is backed by a rousing soundtrack. Like the performance it offers, the engine and exhaust note hoodwinks you into thinking the R’s packing more cylinders under its bonnet than it has.
It might lack the additional drive of its Golf sister but, despite that, ample urge traction is never an issue. There’s no squirm at the steering wheel if you’re brutal with the accelerator, though some of that is down to the fact that the Scirocco’s steering isn’t exactly what you’d call generous in delivering feel. It’s accurate though, and well weighted, allowing you to place the Scirocco R wherever you want it with unerring conviction.
It’ll be going a good deal quicker than you’ll think too, the R’s ability to carry its easily gained pace is impressive, its ample traction backed up by strong grip and a nicely balanced chassis. The suspension delivers a supple ride, even on the standard 19-inch alloy wheels, assuming that is you resist the temptation to switch the DCC (Dynamic Chassis Control) setting from Comfort to Sport. Doing so only adds uncomfortable frequencies and better highlights road imperfections than if you left it alone. The brakes are mighty, hauling the R easily down from the sort of high speeds that are only possible – legally – in its German homeland.
Since the Scirocco was introduced, the coupé marketplace has become a busier one, and while the Volkswagen cannot offer the outright thrills of a Toyota GT86 or a BMW M235i, it’s impossible not to be deeply impressed by the way it just goes about being quick and capable without too much fuss. It is 40 after all, though I wish, like my wife, the people at Volkswagen had left the timepiece off the present list.