The Volkswagen Scirocco is taking the world by storm but will it ever make it to Australia? Photo Gallery
Unveiled in March, Volkswagen's sporty new Scirocco coupe is in danger of not making the cut for Australia.
It would be a case of deja-vu for Aussies because the original Scirocco was never released here either.
Launched in 1974, the first Scirocco was a replacement for the aging Karmann Ghia sports car.
Based on the Golf and styled by Giugiaro, the car took its name from the hot wind that blows from the Sahara to the Mediterranean Sea.
It went on to forge a reputation as a fun, affordable sports package until its demise in 1992.
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Volkswagen is keen to tap back into this emotional section of the market with the release of a replacement under the same name.
The new Scirocco made its international debut as a concept under the name Iroc at the 2006 Paris motor show (a shortened version of the name).
Although the company describes Scirocco as a sports coupe, it is in fact a three-door hatch with seating for four people - but with individual seats for the rear passengers.
Based on the Eos rather than Golf platform, it is officially available with a selection of four diesel and petrol engines, including the new Twincharger.
They range in power from 90 to the 147kW, the latter being the turbocharged 2.0-litre engine from GTI.
Volkswagen said the new coupe will be offered with numerous “innovative” technologies such as an adaptive chassis control system.
It all sounds good but Volkswagen Australia believes the car deserves a more powerful engine for this country to match its premium, sporty persona.
Unfortunately, this stance puts it at odds with Volkswagen's global strategy for the car.
Volkswagen Australia boss Jutta Dierks said unless she can get the car with the right engine and specification levels, it would not be a paying proposition.
Ms Dierks said it was the most difficult model she has had to tackle since arriving here to run the company in 2005.
In this time, sales of Volkswagen cars and commercial vehicles have more than trebled here.
Ms Dierks revealed this week she has spent months arguing the case for Scirocco with head office, making several trips back to Germany specifically to discuss this vehicle.
Scirocco is likely to appeal to buyers of Golf GTI and R32, sparking fears in North America at least that it could cannablise GTI sales.
GTI is incidentally the company's biggest selling Golf here.
Taking Scirocco further upmarket with the addition of a 3.2-litre V6 for example would not only reinforce the car's sporting credentials but put some distance between the cars.
“I would love to have a more powerful one [engine], but that's all I can tell you,” she said.
Ms Dierks added, however, that the final decision on whether to import the car rests with her.
“To be honest if we can't fit it into the position we think it should be in then we won't bring the car in,” she said.
