Officially Official: Volkswagen Scirocco debuts in Geneva (with video)

After all the photo leaks and spy shots, the much anticipated Volkswagen Scirocco is finally here, 34 years after the launch of the original Scirocco. “In the Scirocco we will be bringing the kind of sports car into the showroom that people dream of. Yet it is a dream that an exceptionally large number of car drivers will be able to afford - despite all of the high-end technologies we have implemented,” said Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn.

Measuring just 4.26 meters, the Scirocco stands strong next to Golf but is built significantly lower to the ground (1.40 meter) and is almost as wide as the Passat (1.81 meter). Power comes from variety of TSI and TDI engines. The TSI lineup includes three gasoline direct-injection units with outputs ranging from 122hp, 160hp and 200hp. The TDI common-rail engine produces 140hp. The engines are mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox or an optional 7-speed DSG transmission.

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BMW328i - 3/4/2008 6:15:28 AM

+1 Boost

I can't believe they made this a hatchback! The old scirocco looked more like a coupe and that suited its sports car aspirations.

Is this basically a more advanced golf GTI now?!

blacktip007 - 3/4/2008 10:07:24 AM

+2 Boost

My 1981 scirocco s is a hatch.

BMW328i - 3/4/2008 2:17:32 PM

+1 Boost

Sorry, I should've been more specific. I mean the hatch is too vertical like a Golf, the old one was more coupe like from my recollection.

Whelan - 3/4/2008 10:33:37 AM

+1 Boost

Well it doesn't much matter as they are not bringing it to the US. So as far as I'm concerned VW can go hang out with Ford and be backdoor buddies for not bringing awesome cars our way. One finger salute from me.

mini22 - 3/4/2008 2:30:00 PM

+1 Boost

I hope they do eventually bring it to the US.The photos at Geneva show the car up better then earlier ones on this sight.I think the car looks good in that deep metallic red.True it is a hatchback but you have to say it's a hatchback on steriods. That rear end is wide.The front of the car seems to work now that I've seen the photos. I would have prefrerred a sloping rear hatch but the rest of the car works well. The car is a shade over 55 inches high putting it about 3 inches lower then a GTI.If it were me I'd limit the GTI to a 4dr imported here and bring in the Scirocco. I think there would be a market for it here in the US and there would be less canibalization of the GTI and R32.

mini22 - 3/4/2008 2:30:56 PM

+1 Boost

The photos I'm referring to are the ones at the Geneva show.

DaHarder - 3/4/2008 3:02:05 PM

+6 Boost

I just can't believe that they think that they can get away with such a blatant copy of the 1992-1996 Honda Civic Hatch...

A handsome vehicle yes, but we've seen this side profile, window line, rear end styling, tail light placement, stance et al... All Before - 15 years Ago!... LOL!

Boosteroo - 3/4/2008 3:07:31 PM

+1 Boost

I gotta give it to you - you're exactly right!

Rupert - 3/4/2008 3:11:30 PM

+1 Boost

So true!
Still, it will be a good car, I'm sure.

BTW, does anyone know if this is based on the current or next-gen Golf?

lyonboy - 3/4/2008 5:58:52 PM

+1 Boost

All this hype for an uglified GTI. VW does not understand the U.S. market. VW sales are down so low compared to 4 years ago it is a joke. This Scirocco and the upcoming Passat CC are pathetic.

Rupert - 3/4/2008 6:42:19 PM

+1 Boost

Lucky for you the Scirocco isn't coming to the US.

lyonboy - 3/5/2008 12:40:24 AM

+1 Boost

Too bad VW can not seem to build anything for the US that will sell, What happened to the designers of the 98 Passat and 1999 Jetta?