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.

For the second time in 2009, Volkswagen is offering a free downloadable game, starring one of its cars, to iPhone and iPod Touch users. Available from the Apple App store, the new game is called “Scirocco R 24 hour Challenge” and users get to pilot a Scirocco R through a system of bends that are not dissimilar to the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife.

Car guidance can be done either through the touch screen or by the tilt sensor. The latter is extremely cool because it lets players gesture as if they are really in the driving seat. Multi-player mode is also available through the Bluetooth connection so friends and friends of friends can race against each other.

Players can also customise their cars and enjoy the genuine engine sound of the Scirocco R. The digital racer takes after the real thing, with pieces like the large air inlets in the front bumper and the chrome tailpipes appearing on screen.

As one of the most powerful road-going VW’s ever built, the 195kW real-life Scirocco R will run from 0 – 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and has a electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.

Adapted from WorldCarFans

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.

Adapted from Sky

The hot-hatch market has been very busy of late. There’s been an onslaught of affordable firecrackers in 2009 so far, and one of the modern-day greats is about to be reborn.

Meet the Renaultsport Mégane 250. It’s the first RS version of the third-generation Focus-rival, and unlike the outgoing car it is solely based around the Mégane Coupe, with no five-door version on the cards.

It uses the 2-litre turbocharged petrol engine from the previous hot Mégane (and, indeed, the Mégane R26.R) with power and torque hiked to 184kW and 349Nm, aiming the Renault directly at the Volkswagen Scirocco R as well as the SEAT Leon Cupra, Audi S3 and, inevitably, the headline-grabbing Ford Focus RS.

While the latter is over 37kW better off, it is a chunkier piece of kit, with the latest Mégane set to weigh broadly the same as its 1345kg predecessor.

There’ll be two versions from launch, the Sport and Cup. The latter is more up our street, with the mechanical limited-slip diff from the Mégane R26, stiffer springs and dampers and grooved brake discs. As yet, there are no plans for a diesel version.

The overwhelming press acclaim for the hardcore Mégane R26.R means there will be another extreme hot hatch from Dieppe, though. “There will be some evolution, with work on the engine, chassis, torque or weight. Every time we launch a sporty car we have a special edition”, said a source at Renault.

Good news indeed. We’ve become big fans of the R26.R and Renault is trying to etch its name further into the record books with another crack at the quickest front-wheel-drive lap time of the Nürburgring. While the car currently holds the record at 8m17s, the Focus RS is flexing its muscles in an attempt to snatch that claim away. Apparently the Mégane managed an 8m12s before official times were taken, though.

Adapted from Evo