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By
DEREK OGDEN
5 February 2012
Scirocco is an Italian word referring to a Mediterranean wind that
blows from the Sahara and reaches hurricane speeds in North Africa
and southern Europe.
During the 1970s Volkswagen named
vehicles after prominent winds, including Passat (the German word
for trade
wind), Golf (after Gulf
Stream), Polo (Polar winds), and Jetta (jet stream).
So, how does the new eponymous Volkswagen Golf-based sports coupe
live up to the name? The answer? Like a breeze.
The top-of the-range
Scirocco R replaces the three-door Golf R which is being retired.
It has a manufacturer’s list price of $47,490 – close to the
outgoing Golf R’s $48,490 sticker. The five-door Golf R is still
around from $49,990.
Powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the
Scirocco R produces 188 kW of power at 6000 rpm, and 330 Nm from
2500 to 5000 rpm. It can be mated with either a six-speed manual
or dual-clutch DSG automatic transmission.
The four-seater coupe sprints from zero to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds
(manual) and 6.0 seconds (auto), making it slightly slower than
the Golf R – 5.9 seconds (manual) and 5.7 seconds (DSG auto).
Brakes match Scirocco R’s top-level performance. The 17-inch
system has ventilated discs all round and sports distinctive
painted black callipers.
Apart
from having no all-wheel drive capacity, the Scirocco R and its
Golf twin share the same platform and engine, the newbie gaining
the GTI’s electronic differential to maintain optimal traction
no matter what. VW’s variable suspension dampers, that can be
switched between ‘comfort’, ‘normal’ and ‘sport’, are
standard in the ‘R’.
In a launch drive through the Victorian Alps in weather ranging
from bright sunshine to torrential rain, with thick mist clinging
to the slopes making conditions on the steep, twisting roads
treacherous, the Scirocco (pronounced Shirocco) held its line, not
once giving way to understeer, oversteer, or any uncontrollable
steer.
Unlike some small sports coupes, the Scirocco kept occupants in
relative comfort in sculptured, supportive seats both in
stop/start situations in traffic to speedy cruising on the highway
and swift side-to-side manoeuvring in the mountains. No one sat in
the back where leg room is limited to comfort for the
average-build occupant.
Hard driving had taken
its toll, sucking the 55 litre fuel tank almost dry. We cruised
into a village service station with the digital readout of
distance to empty reaching zero kilometres several kilometres back
up the road...
With the mountains conquered, it was off to the racetrack. Winton
awaited. With the vehicle stability aids neutralised by pushing a
button on the centre console I took to the twisting track in the
six-speed manual ‘R’ with much confidence only to dance in the
trackside dirt at the second set of tight bends. Hey, I had never
seen, let alone, driven on the tricky track before – perhaps I
should have done more homework before hitting that anti-aids
button!
Back on the bitumen the Scirocco R raced around the track, making
the best of things in third, with the odd shift down to second in
a couple of tight spots. Pressing on hard had the engine coming
back with a triumphant roar. Exhilarating.
The DSG was just as well matched with the power plant, obliging
even when the driver miscued with the paddles.
Active safety features include electronic stabilisation programme,
anti-slip regulation, and an electronic differential lock.
Standard are 19-inch Talladega
alloy wheels with 235/35 R 19 tyres.
The body is galvanised and comes with a 12-year anti-corrosion
perforation warranty.
Up front, engineers made sure there
were enough cooling inlets to keep engine and brakes at optimum
efficiency, while front spoiler and rear roof-mounted spoiler and
diffuser ensure aerodynamic qualities of the car are maintained.
Standard LED daytime running lights flanking the front air inlets
and twin oval tailpipes tipped in chrome and smoke tinted lights
add a unique flavour to the design.
In the cabin standards are high. Sports seats are clothed in
fabric named Kyalami after the South African Grand Prix circuit.
The instruments are in aluminium inserts and have white
backlighting and blue pointers.
Central to everything, however, is the leather bound three-spoke
multi-function steering wheel with a flat bottom. As a vital link
between driver and road it should offer comfort and efficiency. It
does. In the DSG model it carries gearshift paddles.
A high-end audio system has eight speakers, six-disc CD changer,
MP3 playback function with title display and Aux-in multi-media
socket in the centre console.
VGA managing director Anke Koeckler says the Scirocco had been on
the local radar for some time, because of the Aussies attraction
to VW performance. One in four Golfs sold here is the performance
package GTI. Favourable currency exchange rates put the final tick
to the proposition, she says.
MODEL RANGE
Scirocco R 2.0-litre turbo petrol three-door hatch: $47,490
(manual), $49,990 (DSG)
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer charges. Contact
any Volkswagen dealer for driveaway prices.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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