Volkswagen Scirocco

The Scirocco is a sports coupe manufactured by German manufacturer Volkswagen (VW), undergoing two generations of development between 1974 and 1992 and reintroduced in a third generation in August, 2008.

The Scirocco name derives from the Italian word for the Sirocco wind — and the period in its history when Volkswagen named vehicles after prominent winds, including also Passat (after the German word for Trade wind), Golf (after Gulf Stream), Bora (after Bora), Polo (after Polar Winds), and Jetta (after Jet stream).

Scirocco I (1974•1982)

Volkswagen began work on the car during the early 1970s as the replacement for the aging Karmann Ghia coupe, and designated it the Typ 53 internally. The platform of the Golf/Rabbit and Jetta was used to underpin the new Scirocco, although almost every part of the car was re-engineered in favour of a sportier drive, and the model's all-new styling, penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro, was sleeker and sportier than that of either the Golf or Jetta. Launched six months before the Golf, in order to resolve any teething troubles before production of the high volume hatchback started,^[2] the Scirocco went on sale in Europe in 1974 and in North America in 1975. Mark I models featured a range of four-cylinder engines with displacements from 1.1 to 1.6 L (1.7 L in North America (1975 1.5L(1471), 1976-77 1.6L, 1978 1.5L(1457), 1979-1981 1.6 USA models), all featuring a single-overhead camshaft and two valves per cylinder.

The car changed little before being replaced by the Mark 2 version in 1982 (Europe). However, air conditioning became available as an option on the domestic market in August 1975.^[3] The possibility to retrofit the installation, together with a larger battery, was offered to existing owners.^[3]

During the production of the Mark I, there were subtle changes to the body and trim. In 1977 (1976 was first year) the conventional two wiper system changes to a single wiper which parks on the passenger side of the windscreen. In 1978 the separate front side marker and turn signal, changed to a combination wrap-around orange lens. Other mid-life changes include chrome bumpers with rubberised end caps to a plastic one-piece wrap around bumper. In 1979 the one-pieces "flag" style outside mirrors transitioned to a two-piece shrouded mirror. There were also special variants throughout the Mark I production. Most distinguishable by paint schemes and trim, there were special versions called "Sidewinder", "Sidewinder II", "Champagne Edition", "Champagne Edition II" and the "S". The Champagne Edition II only came in white with black accents. On the NA models the 1980 "S" versions came in only three colours, Alpine White, Black and Mars Red with unique colour accents. This was followed by the 1981 "S" versions which only came in Cosmos Silver Metallic, Cirrus Gray Metallic and Mars Red without the colour accents.

The Scirocco Mark I was featured in the original 1978 version of George Romero's Dawn of the Dead.^[4]

Scirocco II (1982•1992)

A heavily re-designed "Mark II" variant (internally designated Typ 53B) went on sale in 1982, although it remained on the A1 platform. One unique feature of the Mark II was the location of the rear spoiler midway up the glass on the rear hatch. A mid-cycle update occurred in 1984, which included minor changes over the 1982 model: removal of the outlined "SCIROCCO" script from the rear hatch (below the spoiler), a redesigned air conditioning compressor, and a different brake master cylinder with in-line proportioning valves and a brake light switch mounted to the pedal instead of on the master cylinder. Half way through the 1984 model year, a new space-saver spare wheel was added, that provided room for a larger fuel tank (with a second "transfer" fuel pump). Leather interior, power windows and mirrors, air conditioning, and a manual sunroof were options for all years. Engine power and torque steadily increased over the years. 1982 and 1983 models produced 74 hp (55 kW) and 90 ft•lbf (120 N•m) of torque. The engine code was EN. The 1984 models produced 90 hp (67 kW) and 100 ft•lbf (140 N•m) torque, the engine code was JH. In mid-1986 a 16-valve model with 123 hp (92 kW) and 120 ft•lbf (160 N•m) of torque was released in the United States and Canada, which included a full body skirt, larger rear spoiler, and tear-drop shaped wheel slots, and vinyl on the B-pillar, to distinguish it from Mark II 8-valve models. The 16V engine code was PL.

Although the 16-valve engine brought added performance to the range, it proved a somewhat questionable choice in the North American market, as later A2 Golf GTIs manufacturered in the USA were available with a more powerful 16-valve 2.0 L motor. This was, however, not questionable at the time since the 2.0 L 16V engine did not show up in North America until 1990, two years after the demise of the Scirocco. Still, the European 1.8 16V that was fitted into the Scirocco GTX 16V model developed 139 bhp (104 kW), surpassed only by the A3 generation 2.0 16v with 150 bhp (110 kW).

Like the first generation Scirocco, the car was assembled on behalf of Volkswagen by Karmann of Osnabrück.

Scirocco sales continued until 1988 in the United States, 1989 in Canada, and 1992 in Germany.

The Scirocco was replaced by the Corrado in the VW line-up.

Scirocco III (2008•present)

VW officially announced in June 2006 production of a new Scirocco model at the AutoEuropa assembly plant in Palmela, Portugal.^[5]

The new model, given the internal designation Typ 13, is based on the PQ35 platform of the Golf V and was unveiled at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show. It went on sale in summer 2008 in Europe, with sales in other countries beginning early 2009. The German model had a price of €21,750.^[6]

IROC concept (2006)

A concept car previewing the then upcoming Scirocco III was unveiled at the 2006 Paris Auto Show.^[7] Named IROC, from the middle four letters of "Scirocco",^[8] it used a 210-hp TSI engine.

Scirocco GT24 (2008-)

The Scirocco GT24 is a race car for the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring. It has a 2.0L TSI engine rated 325 PS (239 kW; 321 hp) and 340 N•m (251 lb•ft) @2100rpm, DSG transmission.

The GT24 was unveiled at GTI Meet 2008 in Wörthersee.^[9]

Scirocco Studie R (2008)

The Studie R is a concept car based on the Scirocco GT24, after Volkswagen had cancelled the production of the Scirocco R32.^[10] It has a 2.0L TSI engine rated at 270 PS (199 kW; 266 hp), 6-speed dual clutch transmission, 4-piston brake calipers and a sound-optimized exhaust system with oval, polished tailpipes.

The Studie R was unveiled at the Bologna Motor Show.^[11][12]

Scirocco R (2009-)

The Scirocco R is a production model based on the GT24. Its 2.0L TSI engine is rated 265 PS (195 kW; 261 hp) at 6000rpm and 350 N•m (258 lb•ft) at 2500rpm, large air intake openings in the front bumper, an integrated front spoiler, bi-xenon headlights, larger rear roof edge spoiler, black diffuser, dual exhaust with chrome tailpipes, Talladega 18-in alloy wheels.^[13]

UK models went on sale in 2009.^[14]

Scirocco 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Technology

The Scirocco BlueMotion Technology has a 1.4L turbo (122PS) engine with the BlueMotion Technology package. This car features a 68Ah battery and reduced emissions because of special tyres and other gearbox specifications

Absence of a North American version

In April 2007, VW America vice president Adrian Hallmark claimed that Volkswagen preferred not to bring the Scirocco to North America since it could negatively affect GTI sales.^[15] It was later stated that the final decision would be made in 2008 by Martin Winterkorn (Volkswagen's CEO), not Volkswagen of America.^[16]

In early March of 2008 MotorAuthority reported that, due to the increasing gap between the American Dollar and the Euro, the Scirocco would not be made available for American Consumers. "This car would fit the U.S. market but at the current exchange rate we wouldn't make any money." VW sales and marketing chief Detlef Wittig told Bloomberg reporters.

Engines

Transmissions

All models include standard 6-speed manual transmission. 1.4 TSI (160PS) includes optional 7-speed DSG transmission, 2.0 TSI 200, 2.0 TSI 210, R 2.0 TSI 265 and 2.0 TDI includes optional 6-speed DSG transmission.

Motorsports

In the 24 Hours Nürburgring in May 2008, three new Volkswagen Scirocco^[17] did very well in the field of over 200, among them many high powered cars, finishing 11th and 15th, with veteran Hans Joachim Stuck driving both cars (and Carlos Sainz the slower one). The direct competitors, two Opel Astra GTC driven by drivers selected from 18,000 hopefuls in a year-long TV covered process, were beaten decisively.

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} "Autotest: Volkswagen Scirocco TS". Autocar 145 (4161): pp. 6•10. 1976-08-07.
2. ^ Scirocco Timeline
3. ^ ^{a b} "Nachrichten aus der Tecknik: Klimaanlage fuer VW Golf und Scirocco (Technical news: air conditioning for VW Golf and Scirocco)". Auto Motor u. Sport Heft 18 1975: Seite 36. date 30 August 1975.
4. ^ "1978 Volkswagen Scirocco MkI [Typ 53] in "Dawn of the Dead, 1978"". IMCDb.org. http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_21874-Volkswagen-Scirocco-Typ-53-1978.html. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
5. ^ "New Volkswagen Scirocco to come from Portugal (German)". German publication Handelsblatt. June 20, 2006. http://www.handelsblatt.com/Unternehmen/Industrie/pshb/fn/relhbi/sfn/buildhbi/cn/GoArt!200012,200038,1095675/SH/0/depot/0/neuer-vw-scirocco-kommt-aus-portugal.html.
6. ^ Geneva 2008: Volkswagen Scirocco blows into Geneva
7. ^ VW IROC Concept unveiled!
8. ^ Horrell, Paul (2006-11-01). "VW will IROC you: No, it's not what you're thinking". www.motortrend.com. http://www.motortrend.com/future/concept_cars/112_0611_volkswagen_iroc_concept/index.html. Retrieved 26 November 2009.
9. ^ Volkswagen Scirocco GT24 debuts at Wörthersee
10. ^ Volkswagen dropping Scirocco R32 in favor of Scirocco R20T
11. ^ VW shows off Scirocco Study R in Bologna
12. ^ VW Scirocco Study R revealed in Bologna
13. ^ Officially Official: Volkswagen Scirocco R
14. ^ "New 265 PS Scirocco 'R' set to make its public debut". 2009-05-20. http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/volkswagen-world/news/item/153. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
15. ^ "Volkswagen won't bring Scirocco to the U.S.". Motor Trend. 2007-04. http://blogs.motortrend.com/6207263/car-news/volkswagen-wont-bring-scirocco-to-the-us/index.html.
16. ^ "Report: Scirocco may still come to America". leftlanenews. 2007-05. http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-scirocco-may-still-come-to-america.html.
17. ^ http://adac.24h-rennen.de/fileadmin/24h/Teams/2008_new/116.jpg

External links

• New Scirocco - official Volkswagen international portal
• Scirocco at the Open Directory Project

Categories: Volkswagen vehicles | Sport compact cars | Coupes | Hatchbacks | Front wheel drive vehicles | Vehicles introduced in 1974 | 1970s automobiles | 1980s automobiles | 1990s automobiles | 2000s automobiles | 2010s automobiles

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