VOLKSWAGEN SCIROCCO R IS THE BUSINESS

Saving the best for last is what Volkswagen South Africa seems to have done by first launching the fat Golf R, then follow up with the Polo GTI, then lastly the scented two-door Scirocco R. the front-wheel-drive Scirocco R is a lightweight athlete with the brain of an MIT genius. And within minutes of taking the driver’s seat, I knew right there me and ‘Rocco were meant for each other.

We can start off probably by mentioning that the engine is the same 2.0-litre 4-cylinder motor rocking a single turbocharger, as found in the GTI and Golf R, among others. Except of course it’s a little special. Well, instead of the Euro-spec 195kW, we get 188kW at 6000rpm, with maximum torque remaining the same at 350Nm between 2500rpm and 5000rpm. Perhaps as a consolation, it’s good to know that Australia also gets the exact same underpowered engine which is sent to hot climate countries. Very strange that VW didn’t do the kinds of hot climate tests done by Audi on its 2.0-litre turbo TT S which came in the same power-spec as the European one.

Another difference with the Golf R is that instead of pulling on all fours, the Scirocco R pulls only with the two front wheels, making it a front-wheel-drive. Yet on pull-off there’s very little, if any, performance torque steer. As a result we reckon little ‘Rocco will flood the streets with sibling Golfie’s rear wheels any day, despite VW claiming a quicker 0 – 100km/h time for the former. The figure given, in case you are interested, is 5.8 seconds for the DSG, and 6 seconds for the 6-speed manual. For what it’s worth, I doubt even those figures are attainable in real life. We’ll see when the Vbox comes out to play…

As for the driving experience, well there are no shortcomings here. Despite the FWD layout, XDS is standard. XDS you’ll remember, is an electronic system that limits slip and understeer, helping the car to handle very well. It’s standard in the Golf GTI too. McPherson struts are installed for the front end, while the rear gets a modern multilink layout. In the end it’s all point and click as the 19-inch tyres eat up kilometre after kilometre with barely a drop of sweat. Steering is also very direct and engaging. Very difficult to set the manual and DSG apart, but I guess it’s a matter of personal choice. And Jozi traffic.

Some may be put off by the ‘Rocco’s supposed limited rear space and the absence of two extra doors. However, two adult passengers will take up residence there quite comfortably without cramping, although long-distance trips are not recommended for the taller ones among us. The car is 4.2 metres long and has a wheelbase of 2.58m. Watch the rear headspace though; coupe-like dimensions are always limited that way.

Standard garb is necessary but not over the top. By that we include things like bixenon headlights, park distance control, cornering lights, twin chromed tailpipes and LED daytime running lights. On the options list you’ll find satellite navigation with a touch screen interface, as well as bucket seats. I didn’t get to try these but they sure look fantastic from a distance.

We obviously think the Scirocco R is a better buy than its Golf R counterpart. It’s almost as spacious, very well equipped, just as powerful, quicker and best of all, slightly cheaper. Plus it sounds better on the throttle. The car’s biggest competitor pound for pound is perhaps the Renault Sport Megane, which is cheaper.

Volkswagen Scirocco R Pricing

Manual (R403 355)

DSG (R417 855)