Volkswagen Scirocco facelift rolls out with new engines
Six years since its launch in 2008, the current third-generation Volkswagen Scirocco is very much due for an update even if its shape remains highly admired by today’s buyers. Based on the Golf Mk V, the Scirocco is, from a technical standpoint, two model generations behind the times, and the upcoming Geneva Motor Show is set to witness the debut of a facelift that will bring its technical specifications up to date until a full model change arrives in, presumably, a couple of years.
Cosmetic changes to the much-loved shape is kept to a minimum, but the fascia has been tweaked to incorporate design touches that bring its appearance in line with the current VW corporate look. The horizontal ‘Wolverine claws’ on the front bumper is particularly reminiscent of the Golf VII GTI. The light assemblies sit in the same sheet metal openings, but their internals are unsurprisingly reworked to give the vehicle a more distinctive illumination signature.
Inside, the increasingly dated dashboard borrows new elements once again from the Golf VII GTI, particularly its instrument panel and steering wheel. Auxiliary turbo boost gauges sit above the two central air-conditioning vents as tribute to the original Scirocco Mk I introduced 40 years ago.
Under the hood, Volkswagen completely revised the Scirocco’s engine portfolio, introducing six new EU6-compliant petrol and diesel powertrains that claimed to be up to 19% more economical whilst pushing out higher outputs than their forebears. As before, the engine catalogue consists entirely of turbocharged four-cylinder mills.
The range starts off with a new 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine with 123hp making its first appearance in the VW line-up. The rest of the line-up all displace 2.0-litres with a variety of outputs – the petrols putting out 177hp, 217hp, and 276hp (Scirocco R), whilst the diesels make 147hp and 181hp. Manual transmission is standard, but only the 2.0-litre engines get the dual clutch option, a product strategy which likely rules the 1.4 TSI out of many Asian markets including Malaysia.
KON
Pictures: Official Volkswagen release.
