Volkswagen Scirocco R DSG 2012 review

The price is right for the VW Scirocco, even if the timing is three years late. Dealers will take orders for the sporty three-door from next week and it's a safe bet there will be fair queue of early adopters given the sub-$50,000 price.

Australia boss Anke Koeckler admitted 20-30 percent of Scirocco sales may come from prospective Golf GTI buyers but said the car's styling will help earn converts from other marques.

VALUE

Explore the 2012 Volkswagen Scirocco range

• Volkswagen Scirocco R DSG 2012 review
• Volkswagen Scirocco R FWD 2012 review
• Volkswagen Scirocco manual 2012 review
• Volkswagen Scirocco 2012 review
• Volkswagen Scirocco 2012: road test

The six-speed manual starts at $47,490, plus on-roads, with the six-speed DSG twin-clutch automated manual another $2500 at $49,990. The Scirocco is - at least for this generation of the car - only being imported in the top-end R specification. That means sports seats, a 15mm lower ride height than the regular model and massive 19-inch rims. Adaptive chassis control will be standard on the Aussie cars. Unlike the Golf R, though, the Scirocco R isn't all-wheel drive, even though they share the 188kw/330Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre engine.

DESIGN

The hatch-based Golf is functional but doesn't turn heads like the Scirocco. The wedge shape is a winner with passers-by and there's a surprising amount of room in the back. The fact the bulges for the hinges on the rear hatch extrude through the bodywork shows just how close VW managed the tolerances in the rear. Inside it's a VW - chrome highlights breaking up the expanse of black plastics. Rear visibility is poor - the B pillar starts to block vision and the C pillar finishes the job. The side mirrors and "optical parking system" help, but it could do with front parking sensors too given most drivers won't be able to see the nose.

TECHNOLOGY

Adaptive chassis control buttons often seem to be there as a selling point rather than a practical adjustment. That isn't the case here. The comfort modes instantly softens the dampers and is great on potholed surfaces. Flick it into sport and bumps that were barely felt are now a decent jolt. Most times normal will be good but it is reassuring being able to flick the switch as the roads and speeds alter. The electronic diff lock is also effective, but I'd still prefer a mechanical solution. In the Scirocco its job is to tame torque steer and it does that by braking the spinning wheel. Off the line that is felt as subtle tugs on the wheel until the Scirocco picks up pace.

SAFETY

Euro NCAP rated the Scirocco a five-star car. There are six airbags, stability and traction control, ABS with brake assist, hill start assist and electronic brakeforce distribution. The stability program was remapped to allow for the Scirroco's sporty nature and comes with a sport mode that delays the intervention when it detects the car is travelling quickly on roads with many corners.

DRIVING

The manual is the pick of the gearboxes, but it is no surprise that VW Australia spokesman Karl Gehling predicts sales will be split 70:30 in favour of the DSG. This is a good car to drive quickly. Maximum torque is on tap from 2500-5000rpm and if the Scirocco is kept in that band it is a startlingly quick car. The manual is meant to go from 0-100km/h in 6.2 seconds; the auto will do it in 6 seconds flat. The steering is well weighted and gives plenty of feedback and the car doesn't throw a wobbly at mid-corner changes in steering, brake or throttle input. It'll be a good rival for Renault's hot hatch; not much else at this price will keep pace.

VERDICT

It's been a long-time coming, but the Scirocco may prove to be worth the wait.