ge4924831006077834659
ge4792273889691633982
ge4916590101547626850
ge4955306821325345954
ge5337544479758359753
Matt Brogan24 Oct 2014
REVIEW

Volkswagen Scirocco R 2015 Review

Scirocco R gets a freshen up, and we get to drive it – months before it goes on sale

Volkswagen Scirocco R


Volkswagen Australia says the newly revised Scirocco R has a "fairly firm suspension set-up".

Sufficed to say the company doesn't like to overstate things. Fairly firm is the understatement of the year; akin to saying an acetylene cutting torch is fairly toasty...

Yes, the new Scirocco R is firmly sprung, and in combination with crappy roads, new low-profile 19-inch 'Cadiz' boots and an Adaptive Chassis Control (ACC) system offering three flavours of firm, the ride is, well, you guessed it, firm.

Volkswagen Australia said at this week's preview drive of the 2015 Scirocco R that adaptive damping would in part compensate for the hard-charging hatch's notoriously stiff suspension set-up. But in reality, it doesn't. The Scirocco R is as unyielding as it's ever been, and for driving at anything less than ten-tenths is borderline unliveable.

So, that's the bad news over and done with... The good news is that almost every other facet of the Scirocco R's performance, form and function is immensely capable, not least of all with the clever carry-over XDL electronic locking front differential which does a sterling job of distributing the 2.0-litre turbo's 330Nm of torque.

Volkswagen has trimmed the delivery point of full twist, now arriving from 2400-5200rpm. Peak power of 188kW is on-line from 6000rpm, making the Scirocco R's delivery broad and impressively flexible – 0-100km/h is claimed at 6.2 seconds (manual).

The output figures are still shy of the 206kW and 350Nm offered in European Scirocco R variants, but as Australia is designated a 'hot climate' market, Volkswagen says that scenario is unlikely to change.

We sampled the six-speed manual version of the facelifted three-door, and found the shift and clutch to be both cooperative and rather focussed – just the thing for extracting all the power you care to use, exactly as you care to use it.

Volkswagen also offers the Scirocco R in conjunction with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, and (finally) will also offer leather upholstery.

The new Golf R-inspired looks will also bring a welcomed change for buyers chasing 'something different'. It's worth noting at this point; however, the Scirocco is based on 'old' Golf technology. While the latest Golf VII is built on Volkswagen Group's latest MQB platform, the Scirocco soldiers on with Golf V-based underpinnings.

The cabin, much like the rest of the car, is well presented, provides deeply bolstered seats (two in the front and two in the rear) and similar storage levels to the Golf. The rear seats split 50:50, if you should find the shopping doesn't fit, but realistically, much the like the backseat itself, the cargo area will probably only be used occasionally, and then for a short period of time.

Bi-xenon and LED headlights, matte-chrome mirror scalps, rear swivel badge with reversing camera and new binnacle-style gauges for turbo boost, oil temp and stopwatch add to the offer.

The Scirocco R isn't a commuter car – rearward visibility is problematic when manoeuvring, parking and in tight underground car parks and the like. But to think of the Scirocco R in such a mundane role would be to miss its raison d'etre.

This is a fast, eager-handling car that although firm is devilishly enjoyable, aurally entertaining and strikingly attractive.

As the only three-door model currently offered by the German juggernaut, I hope it maintains a firm place in the VW line-up for many years to come.

2015 Volkswagen Scirocco R pricing and specifications:
Price:
TBA (expect circa $47,990 plus ORCs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 188kW/330Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 8.1L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: TBA
Safety Rating: Five-star EuroNCAP

What we liked: Not so much:
>> Clever XDL differential >> It's way too stiffly sprung
>> Bold power delivery >> It's way too stiffly sprung
>> Coupe-like body styling >> It's way too stiffly sprung

Also consider:
>> Audi TT (from $69,350)
>> Peugeot RCZ (from $58,990)
>> Renault Megane RS 265 Cup (from $43,990)

Share this article
Written byMatt Brogan
See all articles
Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalistsMeet the team
Expert rating
77/100
Engine, Drivetrain & Chassis
16/20
Price, Packaging & Practicality
15/20
Safety & Technology
15/20
Behind the Wheel
16/20
X-Factor
15/20
Stay up to dateBecome a carsales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Disclaimer
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.

If the price does not contain the notation that it is "Drive Away", the price may not include additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges.
Download the carsales app
    AppStoreDownloadGooglePlayDownload
    App Store and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.
    © CAR Group Ltd 1999-2024
    In the spirit of reconciliation we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.