Say R

SLEEK, GOOD-LOOKING and powerful – that’s right I’m talking about the Volkswagen Scirocco and not my rediscovered admiration for Angelina Jolie after watching her new film Salt. When I first drove the updated version of VW’s most successful coupe late last year, to be honest I didn’t know what to think at first. It drove really well, but I didn’t quite know what to think about how it looked. I liked its features, but was it going to pry me away from the equally as good to drive Golf GTI?

However, just as a sudden bout of Athlete’s foot did when I was playing under-13’s football, it grew on me. The Scriocco may be substantially different from the GTI but it is wonderfully different. It may be a bit less practical as it has less space in the back than its cousin, but the ride is a dream and the design is truly stunning.

So, you could imagine my excitement when I was told the new Scirocco R-Line was coming my way. Here was a car I had fallen head over heels for and it had been modified. Suffice to say it didn’t disappoint.

Re-vamped by the specialists at Volkswagen Exclusive the R-Line is essentially a shake up of the interior and exterior styling of the original. Customers can choose to have either the inside, outside or both manufactured to a R-Line standard. Both packages offer something unique and together give the car an almost completely different feel.

The exterior package offers 17-inch alloy wheels in a new design (“Mallory” type, 18-inch optional), sport chassis, body coloured side skirts and bumpers that have been modified compared to the normal Golf. The car is completed by decorative door tread plates stamped with the R-Line logo and a roof edge spoiler among other elements.

A brief overview of the interior package consists of a leather multifunction steering wheel, stainless steel pedal caps and foot support, sport seats and a R-Line specific interior decor.

All seams are in “Art Grey”, a light tone of grey, or a full leather interior is also available as an option.

These additions enhance the ever-present racing pedigree of the car and make the whole experience of driving a lot more fun. If you’re looking to show off, it definitely adds a bucket load more ‘wow factor’ for passengers and whilst making the car seem a bit meaner or streetwise, also ups the comfort quotient.

The engine configurations stay much the same, but in this new body for some reason the power just feels a bit more impressive. The top end version I was driving had a 7-speed DSG dual clutch transmission paired to a 2.0 TSI turbo engine that produces 200hp and a top speed of 235 km/h. Every journey was a an extremely enjoyable trip because the way this car handles, sounds and looks really does flatter you into thinking you could take them on at the next Grand Prix meet. There was nothing bad to report during my time with the Scirocco and complete with VW’s straightforward, comprehensive drive and entertainment systems, I loved every minute of it.

All in all the R-Line is a great tweaked version of an already great vehicle.

david@khaleejtimes.com