Tuesday, August 5, 2008

When Will Volkswagen Give us the Scirocco?

In 1974 the Volkswagen Scirocco was brought out.  It was a compact coupe built off the Mk1 Golf that came out 2 years later.  The first Scirocco's attractive Guigiaro design was one of the main appeal of the car.  The Scirocco was very successful in the United States and Europe.  The second generation Scirocco was introduced in 1982 and used the same platform as the first Scirocco.  However, the second generation had a much more plain and boring design.  It didn't sell nearly as well.  The Scirocco's replacement, the Corrado, came out in 1988.  The Corrado platform was part MkII Golf and part Passat. It also had an attractive design and powerful engines like the 2.8L V6 (VR6) with 172hp.  Now there is a new Scirocco, but it won't come to North America.  Like the Corrado the new Scirocco's platform is part MkV Golf/Rabbit and part Passat.  The front suspension is from the MkV Golf/Rabbit and the rear suspension is a aluminum version of the Passat's rear suspension.  The main engine is the 197hp 2.0L I4 Turbo from the GTI, but there is a chance that the Passat's 280hp 3.6L V6 will become available.  The Scirocco does 0-60 MPH in 6 seconds flat with the 2.0T engine.  The Scirocco has a four seat interior layout similar to that of the Volvo C30, one of its main competitor.  The new Scirocco looks extremely good, some elements of the design are similar to the first generation Scirocco.  The Scirocco will drive much better than the C30 though, mostly because of its suspension.  In many ways the Scirocco is a more practical Audi TT for a lot less money.  It has the same magnetic suspension that allows the TT to be comfortable or sporty without any of the usual drawbacks like a rough ride or sloppy handling.  This is a truly great car, but Volkswagen won't send them here.  That is because of the weak Dollar and fear that it would take sales from the GTI.  In England they can sell a 2.0T Scirocco for 21,000 Pounds or over $41,000 and here the Scirocco would sell for under $25,000.

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