Powerful, Fast, Fuel Efficient and Clean: The Scirocco R – An Impressive Performance Package
The wait is over! The Scirocco R has arrived. Power: 188kW. Character: genuine sports car. Performance: at its fullest. Handling: just as it should be. Fun factor: maximum. The four-seat sports car is ideal as both a dynamic performer and economical companion on the roads of everyday life. Always on-board as standard equipment: the XDL Extended Electronic Differential Lock – first introduced on the Golf GTI – providing optimal traction properties and unbeatable driving fun.
R – CONCEPT
The Scirocco R – conceptualised by Volkswagen R GmbH – is an impressive performance package with a brilliant chassis, unique looks, exclusive features and shares a power plant with the impressive Golf R. Its advantages: high power and torque values with minimum fuel consumption. On average, just 8.1 litres* of fuel f lows to the combustion chambers via direct injection per 100 kilometres. That corresponds to CO2 emissions of 189 g/km – top values for a fast sports car. And equally as impressive: when driven with the optional Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG), these values are 8.2 litres and 192 g/km.
* Combined cycle (ADR) 81/02
R – HISTORY – The Scirocco Story
As the end of the 1960s approached, so did the end of the golden years of the Volkswagen Beetle. As part of the development of the Golf I, no less a designer than Giorgio Giugiaro drew up a nippy and sporty 2+2 coupé that was presented to the world’s public in Geneva in 1973: The Scirocco was born. The Scirocco was the first front-wheel drive coupé from Volkswagen and it appeared in 1974 just ahead of the Golf I. The sports coupé not only offered a sporty alternative to the Golf I, but was also affordable to boot.
Scirocco I (type 53)
• Production from March / April 1974 to April 1981
• 504,153 vehicles
• Design: Giorgio Giugiaro
• Development and production: Karmann, Osnabrück
• Technical basis: Golf I
• Initial engines 50 / 70 / 85 PS (four-cylinder)
Scirocco II (type 53/2)
• Production from April 1981 to September 1992
• 291,497 vehicles
• Design: Herbert Schäfer (Volkswagen)
• Production: Karmann, Osnabrück
• Technical basis: Golf I
• Initial engines 60 / 70 / 85 / 110 PS (four-cylinder)
R – DRIVE
To attain the very high specific power in the 2.0 TSI (94 kW per litre displacement), Volkswagen decided on a turbocharged petrol direct-injection engine.
More dynamic performance by clever downsizing: Like all TSI engines, the R-version combines the efficiency of direct-injection with the power of turbocharging. The 1,984 cm
16-valve, four-cylinder engine develops a maximum power of 188 kW at 6,000 rpm. Its maximum torque – a hefty 330 Newton meters – is available over an immense range of engine speed: 2,500 to 5,000 rpm. This makes for agile responsiveness of the engine, which is able to summon torque at practically any speed range. The engine’s acoustic output impressively underscores its special kind of power development. The exhaust system itself is designed as a double-flow system. Dual oval chrome tailpipes extend out from the bumper.
Engine of the Year for the Scirocco R: The in-line four-cylinder, which has already earned four “Engine of the Year” awards, builds up its powerful torque via a turbocharger (up to 1.2 bar boost pressure) with intercooling. The engine is controlled by fully electronic engine management with E-gas. The pistons of the four-cylinder have higher strength bolts. The connecting rods were also designed to be stronger to reliably transmit the engine’s high torque to the crankshaft. The cylinder block itself is reinforced due to the tremendous engine forces that are generated.
All of this has a highly dynamic effect: The lightweight 1,351 kilogram (DSG – 1371 kg) Scirocco R offers dynamic performance. It is precisely this type of driving, with the sensation of a build-up to maximum torque that is “felt” right from idling, which distinguishes this sports car. It is an impressive cruiser for every road and day of the year. Yet, those
drivers who downshift and unleash the car’s power at full throttle awaken a second side of the Scirocco R: a car with motor sport DNA that sprints from rest to 100 km/h in just 6.2 seconds.
Also available with an optional dual clutch transmission (DSG) providing an even faster sprinting Scirocco R: the 100 km/h mark drops down to 6.0 seconds.
R – CHASSIS
The Scirocco R is available with a specially tuned sport chassis and XDL (Extended Electronic Differential Lock) as standard equipment. The latter refers to a functional extension of the electronic differential lock (EDL) that is integrated in the ESP system and limits any type of traction loss.
XDL compensates for understeer: As soon as the intelligent electronics detects unloading of the front wheel at the inside of a curve in fast driving, the ESP hydraulics apply braking pressure at the specific wheel to restore optimal traction. So, XDL serves as a transverse differential lock to compensate for the typical understeer of front-wheel drive cars in fast cornering. The driving behaviour of the agile Scirocco R is made significantly more precise and neutral thanks to the sophisticated XDL.
Chassis layout: In front, the Scirocco R has a MacPherson strut type suspension for precise tracking and balanced comfort properties. In the rear, a four-link suspension convincingly meets the challenge of achieving a sporty yet comfortable chassis tuning.
Adaptive Chassis Control optimally resolves the dilemma between comfort and dynamics: The Scirocco R is fitted with Volkswagen’s innovative Adaptive Chassis Control as standard equipment. This system continually adjusts damping of individual wheels to roadway conditions based on signals from three body sensors and displacement sensors at each wheel.
During acceleration, braking and steering processes, chassis damping is stiffened in mere fractions of a second to optimally meet the vehicles dynamic requirements. By making these
automatic adjustments, Adaptive Chassis Control significantly increases driver comfort in situations where dynamics are less challenging, resolving the conf lict in goals between a stiff sporty tuning and a comfortable one. Besides the “Normal” mode, the driver can also choose the “Sport” or “Comfort” mode.
R-wheel styling: Standard equipment includes 19-inch alloy wheels (“Talladega” type) with size 235/35 tyres. This wheel/tyre combination supports the maximum attainable lateral vehicle dynamics of this unforgettable sports car.
Advanced braking system for maximum deceleration: The braking system has been specifically designed to handle the Scirocco R’s higher level of driving performance. That is
why a 17-inch system is used; this enables impressive braking performance with ventilated discs and R-specific brake calipers painted in glossy black on all four brakes. In front, the discs are vented and have a diameter of 345 mm x 30mm, in the rear; brakes are measured at 310mm x 22mm. The Electronic Stabilisation Program (ESP) has also been exclusively designed for this vehicle. A “Sport” mode can be selected by pressing the ESP button located in the centre console. This makes the ESP respond later in very fast driving on roads with lots of curves – e.g. on a race course – for even more agile handling properties. In parallel, Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) is completely deactivated when ESP “Sport” mode is selected.
The electro-mechanical power steering of the Scirocco R was also specifically tuned for this model.
Safety equipment fitted as standard: Six airbags, side impact protection in the door, front safety optimised head restraints, front seat belts with pretentions and belt force limiters, ABS and EBD, Hill Start Assist and ASR.
R – DESIGN
Front end with LED daytime running lights: The front end design reflects the motto “form follows function”; it integrates three large air inlets with large louvres in the bumper customised for the Scirocco R, which engineers designed for optimal cooling of the brakes and engine. Integrated to the right and left of the outboard air inlets are the standard LED daytime running lights. The narrow, unique radiator grille is styled in a high-end glossy black. Here (as on the rear gate) the Scirocco R can be identified by the R-logo design in chrome on a black background. Meanwhile, providing for the perfect illumination of the roadway, are standard Bi-Xenon headlights with integrated indicator lights.
Rear end with double-flow exhaust system: The rear image of this car is dominated by a large roof edge spoiler and a prominent glossy black diffuser in the lower bumper area that shows typical R-styling. Both of these components – diffuser and roof edge spoiler – reduce aerodynamic lift at the rear axle. Stylistically, the oval chrome tailpipes of the doubleflow exhaust system are harmoniously integrated into the overall rear section design. In addition, the rear lights of the Scirocco R are smoke tinted. The Scirocco R also comes with rear parking distance sensor as standard.
Side profile: The side view is characterised by powerfully styled side skirts painted in body colour as well as “Talladega” style alloy R-wheels in 19-inch format. The milled, polished wheels have five sets of three spokes that are visually unique and offer a very attractive look at the large braking system with its glossy black calipers and Rlogo. Like the brake calipers, the outside mirrors of the Scirocco R are always painted a glossy black, independent of the body colour.
R – INTERIOR
The interior of the Scirocco R presents an altogether refined appearance. As is typical of all R-models, special interior accents, sport seats and numerous other dynamic features are applied, and included as standard equipment. Details of the features of the Scirocco R:
Sport seat system with seat covers in “Kyalami” fabric weave (named after the Formula-1 race course in South Africa), with R-Logo on the front head restraints in “Art Grey”. Inner surface of contoured seat side supports has crystal grey “San Remo” microfibres.
Unique aluminium decor inserts in the instruments with Rlogo. High-gloss black accents in the centre console area, door handles, gearshift grip, air vents and steering wheel spokes.
Hand brake grip and gearshift trim in leather, with “Art Grey” decorative seams.
Floor mat inserts “Art Grey”.
Aluminium tread plates with R-Logo worked in.
Instruments with white backlighting and blue pointers.
Three-spoke multi-function leather steering wheel, flatbottomed, in R-design (three spokes, perforated leather in upper and lower third, grip recesses right and left), with “Art Grey” decorative seams, R-logo in the lower steering wheel spoke and multifunctional keys in the steering wheel’s cross spokes. When the Scirocco R is ordered as a DSG version, the steering wheel is equipped with shift paddles.
R – EXTRA FEATURES
The Scirocco R sports a very extensive list of features. Standard features include six airbags, ESP with countersteering assist, electro-mechanical power steering, LED daytime running lights, central locking with remote control and electric windows, to name just a few details. The following extra functional features are also included:
Bi-Xenon headlights including static curve lighting, dynamic headlight levelling control, headlight cleaning system and warning lamp for low washer f luid level.
Automatic climate control (“Climatronic”) with separate left and right controls, plus automatic recirculation switching.
“RCD510” Radio-CD touch screen system (4 x 20 Watt) with eight loudspeakers, six disc CD changer, MP3 playback function with title display and AUX-IN multimedia socket in the centre console.
Light and Sight package with two lights in the front footwells, automatic running light switching (including “Coming home” and “Leaving home” functions), automatically dimming rearview mirror and rain sensor.
Tyre pressure monitoring indicator.
LED daytime running lights
The Scirocco R
Scirocco R 6-Speed Manual $47,490
Scirocco R 6-Speed DSG with Sport $49,990 Mode and Triptronic Function
Options
RNS510 Satellite Navigation System $2,500
Dynaudio Excite premium audio system $1,100
Panoramic glass roof $1,800
