The R-spec VW Scirocco gets the much-deserved mid-cycle refresh and is poised to make a hot hatch lover out of you!
Published: Fri 21 Aug 2015, 12:00 AM
Last updated: Fri 21 Aug 2015, 10:42 AM
The modern day Scirocco first rolled out of showrooms in 2009. Since then, there has been a growing following for the car that has managed to put 'style' and 'hatchback' together in the same sentence. We drove the R-spec version a couple of years ago and the memories still resound - it was quick off the line and looked like something even the young-blooded would consider; but some rudimental issues held it back.
For 2015, VW proposes a nip-tuck version of the same idea. And we knew it was going to be better, but by how much? Here's what we thought after a day with the hyper hatch!
DESIGN & AESTHETICS
It's old news, but the Volkswagen 'Scirocco' - pronounced 'she-rocco' - is named after the prominent Mediterranean wind. This naming tradition is evident in other VW cars like the Eos.
The Scirocco draws inspiration from the Mk1, which was introduced in 1974 and penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro. While the old one reminded us of a miniaturised Delorean from the Back to the Future series, the current generation is much less boxy. In fact, there isn't a corner on this thing!
Designed to be sportier - both, aesthetically and dynamically - than the Golf hatchback it is based on, the Scirocco has an emphatic low-slung roofline and wider track. Despite the Scirocco's super snug dimensions - 4.25m long, 1.81m wide and 1.4m tall - it actually sits some 6mm lower and 4mm wider than the Golf. The R model is another 15mm lower, thus the hunkered down stance!
The front takes on the profile of a supercar with its pointy nose and raked windshield. The mid-life refresh has the bi-xenon lamps cradled in new LED daytime runners, while the lower bumper gets three gaping air intakes as before. Only this time, the two outboard air-intakes have GTI-style slats and fog lamps incorporated into them. It's all very sleek and aerodynamic - and surprisingly so for a hatchback.
The low-placed cabin and the stretched back, narrow windows, deliver great road presence, but hinders outward visibility while the wide rear haunches, together with the 2.6m wheelbase, lower the visual centre of gravity even further. The makeover also brings along a subtle horizontal crease on the boot lid that scatters light in interesting ways. As for the faux rear air vents. those we can do without. More importantly, there are new LED-lit, C-shaped rear lights that add more road-going glamour.
The flagship R-model adds a lot of black art to the mix. It includes a radiator grille, a rear diffuser and side mirror all in a black, glossy finish. As for the exhaust tail pipes, you have two oval tips, one on each side.
The 'Rocco R borrows rims from the Golf R. The base R rides on 18" alloys, but you can also opt for the "Talladega" 5 triple-spoke 19" alloys with tractable 245/35 R19 tyres. Our test car had the optional black painted rims.
Before we explore the Scirocco's Golf-like insides, we look at the drawback of having a low roof. You or anyone north of 5'8" is going to have trouble getting in - bumping your head is inevitable - but average bodied people will feel most comfortable in the front seats. Those attempting to get into the rear cabin will have to make like rock climbers and side-strafe and duck to climb in. Once seated though, there's space to relax, with your legs having some degree of freedom. The view offered from the rear cabin isn't much either. The other visibility issue is via the rear view mirror, with the rear seat headrests blocking the view. Seats are upholstered in a resilient variety of Vienna leather, with a ribbed texture and a stitched R logo on the headrest, stating this is no ordinary hatchback.
But like a snug fitting motorcycle helmet, this isn't about how you feel just sitting inside, it's the experience behind the wheel. And speaking of wheels, the truly excellent GTI leather-wrapped, flat-bottom, 3-spoke steering wheel makes its way in here too. The centre stack, overall fixtures and panelling are driven by VW's minimalistic design, which, when finished in a matte black comes across as slightly drab, especially when this Scirocco costs almost Dh200,000! But the value and the luxury is felt in the soft key touch points, build quality and how well the stalks on the steering wheel are damped.
The triangular door handles is the other thing that separates this from the tame Golf - it's an interesting fixture to say the least. Also new onboard, as standard, are auxiliary instruments (charge pressure, chronometer, engine oil temperature) which pay tribute to the original Scirocco. As for the sunroof, it tilts but doesn't slide, which makes it kind of pointless. This is probably due to the structure of the roof, but that's still no excuse.
POWERTRAIN & PERFORMANCE
What once began as a 120bhp 4-cylinder 16-valve engine, is now a technologically advanced direct injection 2L inline 4-cylinder engine with a big turbo strapped to it. They say that this one comes off the Scirocco R-Cup car and that's as close to racing most people will ever get.
The regular 2.0T Scirocco is more than amusing on the move with its power ?delivery and sound. This one has everything turned up a notch. Power is the same as the pre-facelift R-model with 255 horses produced at 6,000rpm and a handy 350Nm of torque that plateaus at 2,500-5,000rpm. With so much power on tap on a front-wheel drive chassis, you're bound to chip away some rubber every time you put your foot down - and that is exactly the case here.
The way to achieve the best times is by using launch control, which is activated by switching off the traction control and putting the transmission into 'Sport' mode. Then, bury both the throttle and brake pedal's simultaneously and allow the revs to rise to 3,000rpm, lift your foot off the brake, and off you will go, like a bat out of a cave.
The smooth-shifting 6-speed DSG, which is VW's dual-clutch transmission, will help you shoot down the highway from a standstill in 6 seconds with some seamless shifting. And while overtaking, you get the same snappy shifting too. All that quick shifting also helps it achieve a commendable fuel economy of 8L/100km. A start/stop system, and brake energy regeneration would have elevated its efficiency further, but somehow VW engineers didn't think it was required in a performance model.
The R's exhaust boom draws your attention and makes you want to keep the revs going, especially during city travel, but that will mean heading to the fuel station prematurely. The other way to burn fuel quickly would be to hit the electronically controlled top speed of 250km/h. That being said, the 'Rocco R has no problem doing 160km/h all day - it's stable and quiet enough.
As a driving enthusiast, you will thrive in the driver's seat of the Scirocco R. It is a car that loves to be revved and thrown around a corner. With the help of wide 245-section tyres and XDS transverse differential lock on the front axle - which does some torque vectoring magic and helps reduce torque steer - you can achieve great speeds around bends. Cars like the Ford Focus ST have a more connected feel, but this is right up there.
FEATURES & FUNCTIONALITY
The Golf-based Scirocco gets a thumbs-down for practicality. The boot holds only 312L of space, but dropping down the 50:50 split rear seats, gives you as much as 1,006L. The problem is, the boot lip is too high and you are forced to raise that suitcase waist-high to get it out or in. Also, the rear seats don't fold flat.
The dual zone climate control is a capable unit, but try to avoid parking in the sun - the leather upholstery will turn those seats into fiery thrones.
If safety is your concern, the Scirocco covers the basics, like rear parking sensors, airbags, traction control, ABS, hill-start assist and cruise control, but nothing fancy. The rear camera exists, but switching from infotainment menu to camera view and back is a time-consumer.
Musical enhancements are provided in the form of base 8-speaker 6 CD-changer that plays mp3 files. You can connect your iPhone or a USB via a propritary cable located in the hand rest compartment and there is a slot for an SD card and AUX-in too. For a more premium sound, you have the option of the Danish built DYNAUDIO 10-channel digital amplifier with a 400W output. When it comes to Bluetooth connectivity, hooking up our Android phone was easy, but once we did, we found that you can either stream music or do some other activity on your phone, not both.
Stand out features include the integrated 30GB hard drive and Wi-Fi hotspot capability via your mobile phone. That's VW going the Audi way. You also get a DVD-based navigation system putting out graphics on an 8" multimedia touch-screen, and a nifty dual bottle opener.
VERDICT
The 2015 Volkswagen Scirocco has a certain breathtaking appeal and is very much capable of turning heads, as well as turning some into hatchback lovers. The cramped rear seats and high boot lip are stains on its practicality, but as a performance model, the R-spec's crackling exhaust note and robust power delivery makes driving it a riot on rims. That being said, the regular 2.0T Scirocco in R-line trim is almost as much fun for a whole lot less money. And, of course, there's the Golf GTI/R - still the best hatch that VW makes.
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