As Volkswagen Group Australia gets set to launch the superb Scirocco R in Australia, pricing has been confirmed at $47,490 (six-speed manual) and $49,990 (DSG six-speed auto).
A development of Volkswagen R (the company’s high performance division), the Scirocco R shares its engine with the Golf R – the 188kW/330Nm, turbocharged 2.0-litre. This handy powerplant is – in the Volkswagen way – very efficient with combined cycle fuel consumption as low as 8.1l/100kms and exhaust C02 emissions rated at 189g/km.
Drive is via Volkswagen’s XDL (Extended Electronic Differential Lock) and Adaptive Chassis Control with three driver-select modes ‘Normal’, ‘sport’ or ‘comfort’ as well as ‘sport’ mode for the ESP – so expect the Scirocco R to deliver the top-shelf driving dynamics of Golf GTI and R.
Volkswagen says the 1,351kgs Scirocco Type R accelerates from zero to 100km/h in 6.0-seconds (DSG) – fast than the Golf GTI and just three-tenths slower than the similarly-equipped Golf R.
Styling is very well done – the Volkswagen Scirocco R has a sporty on-road presence highlighted by prominent side skirts, 19-inch alloy wheels and visibly glossy black disc brake calipers. The thin front grille is unique to the Scirocco, the Bi-Xenon heaqdlights are nicely crafted, rear lights get a smoked look and the roof spoiler and black underbody diffuser are serious aerodynamic kit.
Inside are the expected Volkswagen R high quality additions – sports seats in ‘Kyalami’ fabric, high-gloss black trim, lots of aluminium with ‘R’ logos and the wonderful flat-bottom, leather-trimmed sports steering wheel.
Such is the world-wide demand for the Scirocco, it’s taken some time to secure production for Australia but as we’re getting the stunning ‘R’ version, the wait has been worth it. And that sub-$50,000 pricing is impressive.
