Volkswagen Scirocco

Infobox Automobile
name = Volkswagen Scirocco
manufacturer = Karmann (1974-1992)
Volkswagen Group (2008-)
production = 1974-1992
2008-
predecessor = Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
successor = Volkswagen Corrado


class = Sport compact
layout = FF layout
body_style = 3-door hatchback
platform = Volkswagen Group A5 (PQ35) platform

The Volkswagen Scirocco is a "Sports Coupe" produced by German manufacturer Volkswagen (VW) from 1974 until 1992. Because the model was highly successful, and helped bolster VW's reputation, a third generation was released in August 2008.

1st generation

Infobox Automobile generation
name = Volkswagen Scirocco - 1st generation


production = 1974-1981
504,153 produced
assembly = Osnabruck, Germany
engine = 1.1 L I4,
1.5 L I4,
1.6 L I4,
1.7 L I4
designer = Giorgetto Giugiaro
related = Volkswagen Rabbit/Golf
Volkswagen Jetta
platform = Volkswagen Group A1 platform
designer = Giorgetto Giugiaro

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. By hand-building the vehicles down the road at the Karmann factory, they could test the mechanical portions of the new Volkswagen Golf before it went into production quantities. VW chose to use the A1 chassis shared with the Golf/Rabbit and Jetta (which was not introduced until 1979, well after Scirocco was planned) to underpin the new Scirocco, although most 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. The model 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), all featuring a single-overhead camshaft and two valves per cylinder.

The Scirocco MK1 was featured in the 1978 Zombie film Dawn of the dead by George Romero, where it is seen driving amongst the zombies within the shopping mall.

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 and the "S" versions came in three colours, white, black and red with unique colour accents.

2nd generation

Infobox Automobile generation
name = Volkswagen Scirocco - 2nd generation


production = 1982-1992
291,497 produced
assembly = Osnabruck, Germany
wheelbase = auto mm|2400|1
length = auto mm|4210|1
platform = Volkswagen Group A1 platform
width = auto mm|1645|1
height = auto mm|1305|1
engine = 1.3L I4
1.6L I4
1.7L I4
1.8L I4
1.8L DOHC 16-Valve I4
fuel_capacity = Convert|13.8|usgal|L impgal|0|abbr=on
transmission = 5-speed manual
related = Volkswagen Rabbit/Golf
Volkswagen Jetta

A heavily re-designed "Mark II" variant went on sale in 1982, although it remained on the Mark I 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 convert|74|hp|abbr=on and convert|90|ft.lbf|N.m|abbr=on of torque. The engine code was EN. The 1984 models produced convert|90|hp|abbr=on and convert|100|ft.lbf|N.m|abbr=on torque, the engine code was JH. In mid-1986 a 16-valve model with convert|123|hp|abbr=on and convert|120|ft.lbf|N.m|abbr=on 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 convert|139|bhp|abbr=on, surpassed only by the A3 generation 2.0 16v with convert|150|bhp|abbr=on.

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.

3rd generation

Infobox Automobile generation
name = Volkswagen Scirocco - 3rd generation


production = 2008-
assembly = Palmela, Portugal
platform = Volkswagen Group A5 (PQ35) platform
engine = 1.4 TSI 122 PS
1.4 TSI 160 PS
2.0 TSI 200 PS
2.0 TFSI 200 PS
2.0 TDI 140 PS
2.0 TDI 170 PS
wheelbase = convert|96.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on
length = convert|150.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on
width = convert|65.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on
weight = convert|2315|lb|abbr=on
height = convert|58.8|in|mm|0|abbr=on After an amount of press speculation, [ [http://www.automobilemag.com/features/news/0609_volkswagen_iroc_concept/ Volkswagen IROC Concept: Fit to Carry the Scirocco Name? (Automobile Magazine article written by Jason Cammisa, a Mark II owner)] ] [ [http://fast-autos.net/vehicles/Volkswagen/2006/Iroc_Concept/ Fast-Autos.net] ] [ [http://www.spiegel.de/img/0,1020,689363,00.jpgVolkswagen Iroc Study] ] in June 2006, VW officially announced production of a new Scirocco model at the Autoeuropa assembly plant in Palmela, Portugal.cite news
url=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
publisher=German publication Handelsblatt
title=New Volkswagen Scirocco to come from Portugal (German)
date=June 20, 2006]

A concept of the 2008 Scirocco was shown at the 2006 Paris Auto Show, called the Iroc, later the name was expanded to Scirocco. It is said to share more in spirit and name rather than form with the original design. The 2008 Scirocco will receive the option of four petrol engines and two Diesel engines: Volkswagen's TSI twincharged straight-4 producing convert|120|hp|abbr=on, convert|158|hp|abbr=on and convert|200|hp|abbr=on, and the 200 hp 2.0T FSI engine (currently featured in the Mark V Golf GTI, the Passat and Jetta) and common rail 2.0 TDI engines producing convert|138|hp|abbr=on and convert|168|hp|abbr=on (currently featured in the Tiguan)

In April 2007, VW America's vice president, Adrian Hallmark, stated that his company did not want to bring the Scirocco to North America since it would likely have a negative effect on GTI sales. [cite web|url=http://blogs.motortrend.com/6207263/car-news/volkswagen-wont-bring-scirocco-to-the-us/index.html|title=Volkswagen won't bring Scirocco to the U.S.|publisher=Motor Trend|date=2007-04] It was later stated that the final decision would be made in 2008 by Martin Winterkorn (Volkswagen's CEO), not Volkswagen of America. [cite web|url=http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-scirocco-may-still-come-to-america.html|title=Report: Scirocco may still come to America|publisher=leftlanenews|date=2007-05]

In the GTC driven by drivers selected from 18,000 hopefuls in a year-long TV covered process, were beaten decisively.

It is the first generation of Scirocco not to be assembled in Germany.

References

External links

* [http://www.sciroccoregister.co.uk Scirocco Register] UK based Scirocco Club
* [http://www.scirocco.org Scirocco.org] website dedicated to the Scirocco with email based news list
* [http://www.driversfound.com DriversFound.com] website dedicated to the VW Scirocco featuring 90+ Scirocco brochures (US, Canada, UK, Germany, Dutch), magazine articles, advertisements, factory price stickers, links, tech tips, toys, and more
* [http://website.lineone.net/~dr.dub/index.htm Dr. Dub's Scirocco website]
* [http://forums.vwvortex.com/zeroforum?id=13 VW Vortex Scirocco forum]
* [http://www.passion-scirocco.fr/ passion-scirocco.fr] French Scirocco Club website - all about the VW Scirocco
* [http://www.vw-scirocco.fr/ vw-scirocco.fr] French Scirocco website - all about the new VW Scirocco
* [http://www.Vintagewatercooleds.com VintageWatercooleds.com] older model tech help and forum
* [http://www.volkswagen-scirocco.com Volkswagen-Scirocco.com] New Scirocco official portal
* [http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/new/scirocco Volkswagen UK New Volkswagen Scirocco]
* [http://www.newscirocco.net New Scirocco Blog] following developments about the next generation 2008/09 VW Scirocco