Say hello to the VW Scirocco R, which has just been unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. If you thought that the standard Scirocco was just a bit soft, this is the Volkswagen Scirocco for you.
Unlike previous VW R models, the Scirocco is two- not four-wheel drive. It has four, not six cylinders but fear not, there’s plenty to rejoice about. The looks, for example.
The Scirocco is already pretty aggressive but the R’s gaping front intakes – incorporating LED daytime running lights – lowered ride height, new 18-inch rims (19’s are optional) gloss black rear diffuser, twin exhaust pipes and tinted rear lights certainly add a bit of muscle.
Then there’s the performance. The 2,0-litre turbocharged engine has been uprated to 195 kW – up from the 147 kW of the standard 2,0-litre TSI. This means it now sprints from zero to 100 km/h in just 6.5 seconds (6.4 seconds with the DSG gearbox) and its top speed has been electronically limited to 250 km/h.
We already knew the standard chassis could handle more power but just to make sure, VW has lowered and stiffened the suspension, added an ‘XDS’ electronic limited slip differential – to help get all the power onto the road – and a set of huge 345 mm brakes to slow it all down again.
The only problem is that it’s going to cost around GBP26 000 when sales start in September and that’s more expensive than the outstandingly vicious Focus RS.
