Volkswagen Scirocco R Review
by NextCars.NetYet another Volkswagen named immediately after a wind has blown into Australia, even though for the Scirocco it has travelled half the planet far more at the pace of a breeze rather than a gale.
The Scirocco, in only its 3rd generation since 1974 as a sportier choice to the Golf on which it’s based, has been on sale in Europe for nearly four years previously.
VW’s Australian outpost, nonetheless, lastly stopped dithering late last year and announced it would import the model following all. It is only one particular variant, but at least it’s the sportiest: the Scirocco R.
Priced from $ 47,490, the VW Scirocco R ousts the three-door Golf R to be positioned not far from the five-door Golf R (from $ 49,990) but sufficiently distanced from the Golf GTI (from $ 38,990).
It’s also outfitted like a correct flagship, however. Unlike the Golf R, the Scirocco R – which nevertheless looks fresh since it was the 1st model to feature the brand’s current, horizontally grilled family members ‘face’ – capabilities the company’s Adaptive Chassis Manage electronically adjustable dampers as standard instead than as a $ 1500 selection.
Yet another $ 1300 of worth is thrown into the equation with enormous, 19-inch alloy wheels fitted inclusively.
Then there are LED daytime running lights, metallic paint, dual-zone climate management, cruise manage, bi-xenon headlights, rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, multifunction trip computer, Bluetooth with audio streaming and heated sports activities seats.
With just a increased-end audio, sat-nav and a glass sunroof as extras, the Scirocco has the shortest options list of any current VW passenger car or SUV.
The Scirocco R is about a year fresher than the rest of the range, however it utilizes a properly-identified engine beneath its bonnet – the immediate injection two.-litre 4-cylinder turbo from the Audi S3 and Golf R.
Once more it is detuned slightly for Australia – due to the country getting classed as a hot climate by Germany to the annoyance of the regional subsidiaries. So as an alternative of the 199kW the engine produces in Europe, there is 188kW (created at 6000rpm).
Not a massive deal in the higher scheme of things, and the 2.-litre turbo has never ever disappointed in either the S3 or Golf R – notably the decent dollop of torque (330Nm) produced in the heart of the rev array between 2500-5000rpm.
As the launch drive gets underway in the Victorian Alps, we note that the mini-monsoon sweeping by means of ski territory would be excellent for an all-wheel-drive Golf R.
The Scirocco R, even so, is front-drive only, rather relying on an extended action stability control method it dubs Extended Electronic Differential Lock (XDL) and initial introduced on the latest-generation Golf GTI.
On the wet, twisty climb from Mount Beauty in the direction of Falls Creek, the program, if not a match for the speedy slingshot capability of the rival Renault Megane RS250 Trophee that’s equipped with a correct mechanical limited-slip diff, proves to be successful.
The XDL ‘diff’ can be felt nipping at the within front wheel as the ESC applies dabs of braking to counteract the wheelspin to aid maintain the preferred cornering line instead than washing out wide (which would be quite literal in the torrential circumstances).
Even though understeer will nevertheless be an inevitable consequence of misjudged speed, there is surprising traction out of 2nd- and third-gear corners.
It is this sort of twisty-road situation that also exhibits off the Scirocco R’s benefit over the Golf R. With a 125kg-lighter kerb weight, the coupe-hatch feels noticeably much more nimble on its feet.
These ‘feet’ are also additional apart, with the rear axle’s added 44mm width visually obvious looking at the Scirocco from behind, although the 51mm-decrease roofline improves the centre of gravity over the Golf R.
Thick A-pillars can obscure vision close to corners, however, and the sports activities seats could hold you in much more securely.
Complementing the dynamics is tenacious grip from the 19-inch very low-profile rubber, even though the liquorice thin rubber does tiny for ride comfort, or noise levels, even with the adaptive dampers set to Comfort mode.
It is an unsatisfactory mode that makes it possible for the Scirocco R to turn into floaty over greater undulations with no providing driver and passengers from a deserved break from the ride that becomes increasingly fidgety more than bumpy roads as you move from Regular to Sport modes.
It is a contrast to our experience of the method when optioned with the Golf GTI.
For those with an eye for efficiency stats, the Golf R is even now faster than the Scirocco R from a standing commence – all-wheel-drive assisting to create a 3-tenths-of-a-second gap: five.7 v 6.0sec with ‘DSG’ dual-clutch auto or five.9 v 6.2sec with the six-speed manual compared. It’d be more exciting and a lot more appropriate to see 80-120km/h occasions, even though sadly they are not supplied by VW.
That’s still genuine hot-hatch pace and the engine’s traits are pleasurable acquainted.
A good induction rasp responds to powerful throttle pedal applications as the Scirocco R accelerates, and the 2.-litre turbo stays a wonderfully versatile unit that makes it possible for the driver to hold higher gears and rely on the meaty mid-assortment for momentum.
The six-speed manual is a light, slick and correct gearbox that will please most fanatics, though the DSG – at least on the open road – stays a tempting option since of the paddleshift levers and exhaust parps that accompany upshifts only on the dual-clutch.
The manual offers marginally better fuel effectiveness and emissions – 8.1L/100km and 189g/km v eight.2 and 192, with each bettering the figures of the heavier Golf R.
You will even now need to shell out for the most high-priced unleaded fuel, however – 98 RON.
With the departure of the 3-door Golf R, it’s definitely a clearer selection amongst the 5-door and the Scirocco R.
The Golf R is naturally the more practical providing. The Scirocco R only seats 4 and even then headroom – but not legroom – is restricted for anybody above 5ft 9in, and the boot is deep but far from large and with the modest hatch door revealing only a comparatively small aperture.
Rear vision is not brilliant, either, and in contrast to the Golf R there is no optional rear-view digital camera.
But the Scirocco R, crucially for some purchasers, is the Golf that does not appear like a Golf.
There is even some special interior touches, this kind of as the triangular door and console grips, that mix with switchgear, resources and parts such as the steering wheel shared with the Golf R.
The Volkswagen Scirocco R is undoubtedly a traditional situation of far better late than never.
