Volkswagen Scirocco News

A number of potentially hazardous faults have been identified in vehicles sold in Australia, prompting a wide range of recalls.

VW to farewell third-generation Scirocco R with limited-build Wolfsburg Edition.

Volkswagen has announced local pricing for the 2015 Scirocco R, with the sports coupe priced from $45,990 -- representing a $2,000 price cut from the previous version.First previewed locally in October last year, the 2015 Scirocco R's updates are largely cosmetic, bringing the styling into line with the Mk7 Golf R.Externally, the Scirocco R has been refreshed with new bi-xenon headlights, matte chrome mirrors, as well as front and rear bumpers. The wheels are the same 19-inch 'Cadiz' alloys as the current Golf R.In the cabin are new-look dials and an auxiliary gauge pod above the centre console. A 6.5-inch multimedia screen controls the audio system, which also comes with a 30Gb hard drive.New safety features of the 2015 Scirocco R include a reversing camera and front and rear parking sensors.The front-wheel drive Scirocco R keeps the 188kW/330Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine from the previous version, mated to either a six-speed manual or DSG dual-clutch transmission.The drivetrain has fuel efficiency figures of 8.1L/100km for the manual and 8.0L/100km for the automatic, which are about a litre worse than those for the Golf R.The Scirocco R will be available in just four colours, with a leather trim pack and panoramic glass sunroof being the only option boxes on the order form.Scirocco R - manual - $45,990Scirocco R - automatic - $48,490

Local specs for refreshed Scirocco R confirmed ahead of 2015 arrival.Volkswagen has announced details for Australian versions of the updated Scirocco R sports coupe, before its arrival in local showrooms in the first quarter of next year.First unveiled in February for the European market, the new Scirocco R updates are largely cosmetic, but bring it into line with the styling of the recent Mk7 Golf R. The shape has been tweaked with new lights and bumpers appearing on both the front and back, matte chrome mirrors and the 19 inch 'Cadiz' alloys from the current Golf R.Inside, the instrument panel has been updated with a new look to the dials. There's also a new auxiliary gauge pod above the centre console, housing a chronometer, plus boost and oil temperature gauges.Scirocco R safety has also been improved with the addition of a reversing camera as well as front parking sensors to accompany the existing rears.Like the Golf, the reversing camera is housed within the VW badge on the hatch, which also gains a strong horizontal crease that continues through the new tailights.The reversing camera is displayed on a 6.5 inch multimedia screen, which also now includes satnav and 30Gb of hard drive storage.There are no changes in the engine department though, with the new Scirocco R keeping the same 188kW/330Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine from the previous version and the Mk6 Golf R.Unlike the Golf R, the Scirocco R's drive still comes via the front wheels, and can still be had with either six-speed manual or DSG dual-clutch automatic.Local pricing is yet to be confirmed for the new Scirocco R, but will echo the previous version in being positioned between the Golf GTI's $41,990 starting price and the $51,990 Golf R.VW Australia has hinted that the Scirocco R could drop below its existing $47,990 starting price however, with the lineup consolidated to just four colours and reducing the options list to the leather trim pack and a panoramic glass sunroof.

Tiguan R-Line, new Scirocco R, expanded Golf range, new Polo GTI, revised Jetta and new Passat to help maintain Volkswagen sales growth.  Volkswagen has a range of revised and new models planned to help maintain the brand's current sales strength, despite the overall Australian new car market being down 2.1 per cent so far this year. VW Australia's managing director John White expects these new models to help strong sales of the existing Golf, Polo, Tiguan and Touareg to top the brand's 54,892 unit 2013 result, particularly considering the 32,562 units sold by VW to the end of July already represent a 3.8 percent increase year to date. "Overall this year, we believe that even with a market that's going to be down, we should be ahead of last year," he said.Starting with the revised Polo light hatch that arrives in showrooms this week, a revised version of the strong-selling Tiguan SUV will also touch down in September, strengthening its appeal ahead of an all-new model that is still at least two years away. TIGUAN R-LINEThis will see the Tiguan fitted with a standard reversing camera, rear parking sensors and a colour touchscreen display for the first time, plus the addition of a performance-themed Tiguan R-Line model with a 130kW turbodiesel engine as a new range-topper. GOLF R-LINE WAGONA wagon version of the Golf R-Line will appear in October, based on the success of the sports styled option pack available on existing Highline Golf hatch models.SCIROCCO RThis will be followed in November by the surprise arrival of the refreshed Scirocco R performance coupe, which was widely tipped as a non-starter for Australia after the also slow-selling Up and Eos models were discontinued in April. The revised Scirocco R made its first appearance at the Geneva motor show in March, with styling that has been brought in line with the Mk7 Golf R that arrived here in April.Mr White cited a positive response from the public, media and dealers as a key reason for the model's return to our shores, but it will be accompanied by a new sales strategy."There is going to be significant simplification in terms of colours and option packs, and significant reduction in the expectation of sales, where we are going to focus on making the Scirocco R a low volume, highly desirable vehicle," he said. POLO GTIA revised version of the hot Polo GTI is set to appear at the Paris motor show in September, before arriving down under in the first half of 2015. The GTI will score similar visual and interior upgrades to the regular Polo, but will boost power from 132-141kW and is also tipped to bring a manual transmission for the first time in a Mk5 Polo GTI.JETTAA refreshed Jetta mid-size sedan will also make its way to Australia in the first half of 2015, and John White is expecting the new model to better challenge segment leaders like the Toyota Camry and Mazda6, unlike the current model which has fallen 35 per cent year to date and is currently outsold by the 6 by more than 3:1."We're taking a look at the way that we're going to be configuring the car line, and you can count on the car line having more features and benefits to it, as we look to maximise the opportunities for the Jetta and make it a much better volume competitor," he said.  GOLF ALLTRACKMr White also confirmed the local future of a high-riding all-wheel drive Golf Alltrack wagon near the end of the first half of 2015, with the new model to follow a similar formula to the Alltrack version of the Passat wagon.PASSATRounding out 2015 for Volkswagen will be the all-new Passat that is due to make its public debut at the Paris motor show in September. Mr White confirmed that we will see  the new model late next year, and will be available in sedan, wagon and Alltrack bodystyles.NOT COMINGVW Australia Polo product manager Todd Ford confirmed there are no plans to put a Polo R into production, despite various reports to the contrary and the media being given the chance to drive prototype versions of the Audi S1 mechanical twin earlier this year."We'd love it if we could, but there won't be an R version of the current generation Polo," he said.Mr Ford was also unable to shed any light on the expected Golf R wagon's local future, despite several prototypes being spied testing in recent months."There  has been no model confirmed for production, so I cannot speculate on any Australian future," he said.  He also reiterated that there are no plans to bring the Mk7 version of the hot diesel Golf GTD to Australia, due to a lack of suitable business case.  Upcoming Volkswagen modelsTiguan spec upgrade and R-Line – September 2014Golf Wagon R-Line – October 2014Scirocco R update – November 2014Polo GTI update – first half 2015Jetta update – first half 2015Golf Alltrack – mid-2015Passat redesign – late 2015

VW's new Scirocco sports coupe cuts a sleek profile and boasts new engines with engines that offer up to 206kW yet also promise fuel efficiency improvements of up to 19 per cent, without compromising the Scirocco's dynamic performance. Externally, the Scirocco's stylish shape has been refined and modernised with new headlights and tail lights, as well as revised bumper styling.The revised front bumper features aerodynamic `blades' in the outer section, like those of the latest-generation Golf GTI, with integrated indicator lights, daytime running lights and fog lights. At the rear, all Sciroccos now have LED tail lights, while the bumper has been reshaped to appear lower and more purposeful. As on a Golf, the Volkswagen logo badge now has an additional purpose: functioning as the tailgate release handle.Range-topping Scirocco R has a distinct look, with individual bumpers and alloy wheels. The Scirocco R now comes as standard with 18-inch 'Cadiz' alloy wheels, as on the Golf R. The rest of the range also receives new alloy wheel designs, including the option of the `Talladega' alloy previously reserved for the 'R'.Under the bonnet is a choice six new turbocharged direct-injection petrol and diesel engines, all of which meet EU6 emissions standards. We will get the 2.0-litre petrol engine as before with a seven speed DSG transmission. Inside, the dashboard has been updated, with new-look dials and an auxiliary instrument cluster above the centre console, consisting of chronometer, charge pressure and oil temperature gauges a tribute to the 1974 model. Here soon (maybe). 

VW unveiled the facelifted Scirocco at the recent Geneva motor show with fresh styling and revisions to the engine line-up. But while overseas markets will get a four-cylinder choices of 110kW turbo diesel and turbo petrols ranging from a 92kW 1.4-litre to three tunes of a 2.0-litre turbo: 132kW, 162kW and 206kW, it's likely we won't see all of those here.We only get one Scirocco version here, but the good news is that the one that currently reaches our showrooms is the top-spec ‘R’ variant, carrying the presently 188kW mill that has been uprated to 206kW. That suggests the incoming sports coupe is likely to best the outgoing version's 6-second sprint to 100km/h, while still being more frugal with fuel.Rather than being underpinned by Volkswagen's new MQB platform used for the Golf 7 among others, the Scirocco is based on the Golf 6 platform, with the major changes apart from the engines being cosmetic and instrumentation.The new face sports a GTI-echoing redesigned front bumper and sharper grille flanked by bi-xenon headlights and LED daytime running lamps, while the interior also gets GTI cues with a new leather-covered flat-bottom steering wheel and instrument binnacle, extra gauges for turbo boost pressure, oil temperature and a timer, plus premium finishes.Volkswagen Australia has confirmed that the new Scirocco is under consideration, but say it's too early to suggest timing for its arrival. However with it rolling into European showrooms in August, you could start looking for it here either in the final quarter of 2014 or early next year.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincottWatch the New VW Scirocco in action on our desktop site. 

Forty years after Volkswagen unveiled the original Scirocco at the Geneva Motor Show in 1974, a new facelifted model will debut at this year’s event. The newcomer introduces refreshed styling, interior fittings and engines for the handsome sports coupe.Still based on the MK6 Golf chassis rather than the new ‘MQB’ platform, the compact Scirocco features a new front bumper that incorporates design language similar to the latest Golf GTI. The new face also receives bi-xenon headlights, LED daytime running lamps and a more chiseled grille.At the rear you’ll find new LED tail lamps along with a sharper rear bumper and tailgate, but the  signature chunky ‘hips’ remain unchanged. The cabin changes are less obvious. Most notably, there’s a new steering wheel and instrument binnacle taken from the MK7 Golf GTI. Dashboard materials are also new and of a higher quality to those of the current interior, and all facelifted models feature additional gauges for turbocharger boost pressure, oil temperature and stopwatch, sitting atop the dashboard.The only Scirocco model we currently get in Australia is the top-shelf ‘R’ model which is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine developing 188kW of power. However the new version gets a power bump to 205kW and will therefore likely best its predecessor’s 6-second 0-100km/h time. While quicker, the new model is also expected to be more fuel-efficient than before.Volkswagen Australia has indicated that the new Scirocco is on their wishlist, but was unable to confirm potential timing. "This update is under consideration but I don't have any more details," spokesman Kurt McGuiness said. 

Hundreds of new and updated cars arrive in Australia each year but only one is good enough to make the honour role for Carsguide COTY.This time around the prize fight is tougher than ever, with new arrivals for 2011 covering every size and price class, from the ordinary Chery J1 from China to the exotic Ferrari 458 Italia from Italy. Neither of them makes the COTY cut, but that's another story ...The reach for COTY 2011 contenders actually stretches back to the final months of last year, to include a couple of cars that just missed the 2011 cutoff, and this time around the newcomers must have hit showrooms by December 1.So, unfortunately, the all-new Toyota Camry is a non-starter. It's the same for the make-or-break four-cylinder Falcon.But the class of 2011 covers all the bases, from affordable mini cars through family and prestige cars to a hot new coupe. The hopefuls come from Europe, Asia and Japan, as well as right home in Australia.Setting the field for 2011 was not easy, particularly with the outgoing champion - the Volkswagen Polo - still casting a considerable shadow.But each of the COTY judges, who cover the Carsguide contenders and drive them in all conditions from coast to coast, has called up their personal favourites from Alfa Romeo through to Volkswagen to help guide the selection process.Then it is the final cull by the COTY veterans to produce the top 10 for a gruelling two-day shootout to consider everything from design and safety through to value and their driving ability on a wide range of roads from Ford's You Yangs proving ground to freeways, suburban streets and gravel roads on the outskirts of Melbourne.The field is set, the race is about to be run, but we cannot get ahead of ourselves.So here are the 10 COTY contenders ... now it's over to the judges: 

Volkswagen Scirocco, from $47,490The Scirocco is the hottest new coupe on the road, even if it has arrived very late in Australia because of fears it would steal sales from Volkswagen's Golf GTi. It's a Golf under the skin but gets lots of go-faster gear including a 188 kiloWatt engine to ensure it can deliver on the styling promises.Gover says: The good looking coupe has only just arrived in Australia and rivals the Evoque for style, but perhaps the Euro-focussed suspension will be too extreme. It also has to provide worthwhile gains over the GTi.