The Volkswagen Scirocco R made its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show back in September 2009, so it’s been a long-time coming for local performance car enthusiasts, but finally VW’s range-topping coupe has swooped in. Since we first tested the Scirocco back in 2009, we’ve always looked forward to the day that a more powerful and aggressive rendition would be available. Last week our ed. headed off to the hills of Kwa-Zulu Natal for a taste of the sizzling new Scirocco R.

Like me, when it comes to performance cars, I know you want to hear the facts and figures first. So, at the heart of the Scirocco R is a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder EA113 engine (as opposed to the EA888 fitted to the conventional Scirocco) in heavily revised form. The engine block has been reinforced with an entirely new alloy head, uprated pistons, conrods and high pressure injectors. An uprated turbocharger, generating 1.2 bar of boost, is joined by a new intercooler to cope with the extra heat generated. The result is 188 kW and 350 N.m of torque, which incidentally, is down on power by some 11 kW compared to the European spec Scirocco R. Volkswagen South Africa say this has been done due to the warmer climate, a policy that Audi shares with its S3.

The latest R is available with either a 6-speed manual or DSG gearbox, directing drive to the front wheels via an XDS-equipped electronically controlled differential. The Scirocco R is capable of accelerating to 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds (DSG 5.8 seconds) before reaching a maximum speed of 250 km/h. When you’re not using all the power, Volkswagen claim the turbocharged 2.0-litre will return fuel economy of 8.0 L/100km (DSG transmission) and corresponding CO2 emissions of 187 g/km. A set of uprated brake discs, measuring 345 mm in diameter (310 mm at the rear), and new callipers finished in gloss black are fitted, along with specially tuned, pneumatically controlled, damper units. Finally, an all-new exhaust system exits via tailpipes set on either side of the rear bumper.

All this performance has been packaged in traditional VW fashion, that being a bold, but but not overly extrovert, styling kit. The front and rear bumpers are unique to the Scirocco R and have been designed by Volkswagen R GmbH, the manufacturer’s relatively new, specialist tuning division. The nose is dominated by a trio of deep front airdams set into the front bumper joined by a set of LED daytime running lights. The grille section, finished in gloss black, features a discreet ‘R’ badge and sits in between a set of standard Bi-Xenon headlight units. Further back a set of subtle sill extensions replace the rubbing strip fitted to the conventional Scirocco. At the rear, a new bumper featuring a diffuser is framed by the new chrome-tipped exhausts. A set of smoked rear light lenses sit below a larger rear wing to lend the Scirocco R greater presence. The gloss black look featured on the front grille extends to the wing mirrors and the rear diffuser, all of which remain black regardless of the body colour of the vehicle. Unique to the new R models are a set of 19-inch five-spoke ‘Talladega’ wheels, wrapped in 235/35 profile rubber.

Inside the range-topping Scirocco model you’ll find sculpted sports leather seats that offer great support, a new set of dials featuring electric blue needles – similar to those of the new Golf R – together with a flat-bottomed steering wheel that has gloss black inserts surrounding the multi-function controls. Interior highlights include more gloss black inserts around the airvents and contrast against aluminium trim that includes a set of ‘R’ kick plates found in the door frame. The R is well equipped as standard, with features such as dual-zone climate and rear park-distance control, as well as offering enough space for two rear passengers, together with 312-litres of boot space.

Lower and wider than its Golf counterpart, the Scirocco R has a McPherson strut type front suspension, while a multi-link suspension system does the work out back. The tuning of the springs, dampers and anti-roll bars has been modified to suit the lower ride height (103 mm) and the weight distribution of the Scirocco R. The launch cars were all fitted with Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC), which allows the level of suspension damping to be set between comfort, normal or sport modes, as well as adjusting the electro-mechanical power steering and accelerator response to suit.

Being a front-wheel drive car, the Scirocco R is fitted as standard with XDS, an electronic cross-axle traction control system for improved traction and handling. The XDS system is employed when driving quickly through a bend where sensors provide information on lateral G forces, while ABS sensors monitor levels of friction. Using this information a control unit can predict when an inside wheel is about to lift and apply a braking force automatically to increase traction on the opposite front wheel. XDS brakes the inner wheel before it loses traction rather than afterwards. The result is smoother, more sure-footed and safer progress with better traction through fast corners when on the limit of adhesion. While not entirely seemless, the system does work well, especially in wet conditions when you have plenty of power available beneath your right-foot.

On the road, the front-wheel drive Scirocco R feels lively, offers crisp turn-in and the low centre of gravity contributes to swift changes of direction. The slightly wider track over that of the Golf, allows the Scirocco to carry more corner speed mid-turn and, with 102 kg less weight to cart around, the Scirocco feels noticeably lighter on its feet. Acceleration from a standing start is brisk, but once on the move, the R’s spread of peak torque between 2 500 and 3 500 r/min gives it rapid in-gear acceleration. The DSG-equipped model offers precision gear changes and paddle shifters behind the steering wheel keep you involved. The six-speed manual transmission is easy to work with, by virtue of a linear clutch action and shortish throws between the gears. The pedals are well positioned and first impressions suggest the manual gearbox would offer more fun and still be easy to live with in traffic.

Priced from R403 355, the high-powered Scirocco offers a stylish and involving alternative to the more grown up Golf R.

Prices include a 5-year/90 000km service plan, 3-year/120 000km warranty and a 12 year anti-corrosion warranty.

The Volkswagen Scirocco is now available with VW’s latest 2,0-litre TSI 155 kW engine. It replaces the 147 kW engine that powered the car when its was launched last year.

The engine is similar to that of the new Golf 6 GTI and retains its 280 Nm of torque, which is available between 1 700 rpm and a slightly higher 5 200 rpm.

The engine will be offered with an option of a 6-speed Dual Clutch Gearbox (DSG) or 6-speed manual transmission. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds, has top speed of 240 km/h for manual transmission and 238 km/h for DSG. Fuel consumption is 7.4 l/100km for the manual and 7.5 l/100km for the DSG.

The VW Scirocco comes standard with a 5 year / 90 000 km service plan, 3 year / 120 000km warranty and can be yours at prices starting from R325 200 for the manual and R339 700 for the DSG.

Renault South Africa has confirmed that the new Mégane Renaultsport (RS) will arrive on our shores towards the middle of 2010. An official date, or price, has not yet been confirmed but expect to see a price tag around R320 000 – on par with the likes of VW’s new GTI and Scirocco.

To refresh your memory, power comes from a 2,0-litre turbo-charged engine that produces 184 kW at 5 500 rpm and 340 N.m of peak torque at 3 000 rpm. A 6-speed manual gearbox provides the link to the front wheels and if you opt for the Cup chassis you’ll have a limited slip differential at your disposal, which helps the new Mégane RS to reach 100 km/h from a standing start in 6.1 seconds.

Yes, Renault SA has confirmed that both versions of the new Mégane RS will be available. The Sport chassis, for everyday driving pleasure and the Cup chassis, for even more exhilarating track-focused performance.

Changes on the Cup chassis over that of the Sport are: anti-roll stiffness that has been increased by 13 per cent thanks to a bigger-diameter anti-roll bar (24.2 mm). Anti-roll stiffness at the rear has been increased by 7 per cent compared with the Sport chassis and overall the stiffness of the Cup chassis marks an improvement of 15 per cent over the Sport chassis. Equipped with a limited slip differential (LSD), the Mégane RS Cup chassis is less prone to the effects of torque steer, benefits from improved turn-in performance, and provides better traction for driving out of corners sooner and harder. The Mégane RS Cup is also fitted with stickier Michelin Pilot Sport 2 18-inch tyres in size 235/40.

The Mégane Renaultsport features a styling package that sets it apart from the rest of the new Mégane range including features such as a rear diffuser, LED daytime running lights, flared wheel arches and centrally mounted rear trapezoid exhaust.

We really liked the new Mégane Coupe when we drove it earlier this year, but the one thing we found lacking was power from the 1,6-litre petrol. Transforming the new coupe into a 184 kW focussed (no pun intended) hot-hatch gets our pulses racing and we look forward to bringing you details of the driving experience when the car arrives next year. In the meantime take a look at the gallery below to gather your own impressions of the latest generation Renault Mégane RS.

Toyota recently revealed the highly-anticipated FT-86 Concept that will be shown at the Tokyo Motor Show happening soon. Many excited about this new Toyota, but the Japanese auto maker only released a few images of the sports concept, up to now that is.

We now have a total of 44 new images of the FT-86 to share with you. However we still need wait until the concept makes its debut for juicier details, such as power figures and more. We do know that it has a Subaru-sourced 2,0-litre boxer engine under the hood and that Subaru will also produce its own version of the FT-86. Furthermore, Subaru is also like to roll out a high-performance STI version.

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Adapted from iCars

An old Japanese favourite looks set to return. This is the Toyota FT-86 Concept, a hark back to the rear-wheel-drive Corolla AE86 of the mid 1980′s.

Once again, the power is sent to the back, its source being a Subaru 2,0-litre boxer engine. While power and performance figures haven’t been released, an Impreza with the same engine has 110 kW and 196 N.m of torque on tap, sending the 1 345 kg hatchback to 100 km/h in 9.2sec.

Expect much sprightlier acceleration from the FT-86 though, which is set to focus on weight-saving and optimised aerodynamics, with the engine mounted as low as possible up front to keep the centre of gravity down. We’re still hoping that a turbocharger makes its way under the hood though.

It certainly looks the part, in concept form at least. It looks every inch the baby LF-A, a scaled down supercar and the dose of excitement Toyota’s range craves. It should be a more than able competitor to the VW Scirocco, Volvo C30 and the rest of the small coupe class.

Fingers crossed the styling doesn’t change too much should the FT-86 make the transition to road car. The same probably can’t be said for the interior. Impressive as it is, it’s unlikely we’ll see zipped leather dashboards and those striking seats on a production-spec budget coupe.

Should it get the go ahead (and we’d be surprised if it doesn’t), expect FT-86 sales by 2011 and a price tag to rival its R300 000 rivals. The concept will be shown at this month’s Tokyo motor show, where Honda’s rival CR-Z coupe is also on show.

Adapted from Evo