Volkswagen Scirocco R
The Golf GTi is an institution. What began as a lightweight family capable hot hatch, sporty and practical grew and grew like the hungry caterpillar. It became the sensible car it is today. Loaded with mod-cons, convenience and “executiveness”. These are perhaps not all bad things, and the GTi is certainly worthy of coveting, but what if you wanted to go back just a little bit. 2 door, edgy and quick without worrying too much about the wife's sensibilities? Scirocco is the answer to that. Golf based sure, yet more so somehow. Quirkier and slightly less practical. Sportier. Sexier some would say. Not a bad thing.
Now what if we take that Scirocco base and make it just a little better in every way? What would you get? Scirocco R.
In six speed DSG you get 188kW vs the "regular" 155. 280Nm becomes 350! That is impressive. This is all done through serious engineering. 1.2 Bar of boost pressure, strengthened head, uprated pistons, con rods and high pressure injectors. It now does the sprint to 100km/h in 5.8 seconds smashing the standard model's 6.9. Fuel economy is marginally off, 7,5l/100km becomes 8, a small price to pay. At R417 855 for the DSG, it is a bit of a performance bargain (!)
Spec levels are high, with standard items like PDC, that sexy R-bodywork, R design sport leather seats, rain sensors and auto headlights and the like. Lots of R-bits creep in including sexy white backlit, blue needled instrumentation. Options are the like of a panoramic sunroof, Sat-Nav and Dynamic Chassis control, allowing the suspension firmness to be dialled in. The latter is a worthwhile expense in my opinion. Sports suspension is however standard. Also standard is the excellent electronic differential control; Taming errant spinning wheels to good effect. This thing pulls off like it shouldn't nary a hint of torque steer. It is planted. Not just in a straight line either. It corners fast, steers quick and just delivers what the looks deserve. While the Golf in its highest spec may be a tad quicker, this one will be more fun. It certainly feels the more engaging and faster of the two. A more special place to be. Wider wheel tracks and a more dedicated, more driver focussed personality make this one a true driver’s car. What more can I say?
