Without a doubt one of the most striking looking cars on the road today is the VW Scirocco. Now Volkswagen is dangling even more temptation in the faces of car lovers by introducing the Scirocco R, with several subtle enhancements for those who really want to stand out from the pack. At the heart of the Scirocco R is a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine in heavily revised form. The block has been reinforced with an entirely new alloy head, uprated pistons, conrods and high pressure injectors.   An uprated turbocharger generating 1.2 bar of boost is joined by a new intercooler to cope with the extra heat generated.  The result is a heart-stopping 188kW of power and 350Nm of torque.

With this kind of muscle under the hood, the Scirocco R is capable of accelerating to 100km/h in 6.0 seconds (DSG 5.8 seconds) before reaching a maximum speed of 250km/h.  A claimed combined fuel consumption of 8.1 litres per 100km (DSG: 8.0 litres per 100km) is linked to CO2 emissions of 189 g/km (DSG: 187 g/km).

A choice of six-speed manual or DSG gearboxes is available, both directing drive to the front wheels via an XDS-equipped electronically controlled front differential.  A set of uprated brake discs measuring 345mm in diameter (310mm at the rear) and new callipers finished in gloss black are fitted next, along with specially tuned, pneumatically controlled damper units.  Finally an all-new exhaust system exiting via tailpipes spaced at each side of the rear bumper is fitted. The front and rear bumpers of the conventional Scirocco are replaced by bespoke items designed by Volkswagen R GmbH.  The nose is dominated by a trio of deep front airdams set into the front bumper joined by a set of LED daytime running lights.  The grille section, finished in gloss black, features a discreet ‘R’ badge and sits in between a set of standard Bi- Xenon headlight units.

Further back a set of subtle sill extensions replace the rubbing strip fitted to the conventional Scirocco. At the rear, a new bumper featuring a diffuser is framed by the new chrome-tipped exhausts.  A set of smoked rear light lenses sit below a larger rear wing to lend the Scirocco R greater presence. The gloss black look featured on the front grille extends to the wing mirrors and the rear diffuser, all of which remain black regardless of the body colour of the vehicle. Unique to the new R models are a set of five-spoke ‘Talladega’ wheels.  Fitted as standard are a set of 19-inch wheels with 235/35 tyres.

Inside the Scirocco R the range-topping model is distanced further from the conventional model.  Sculpted sports leather seats offer superb support.  A new set of dials featuring electric blue ‘R’ similar to the new Golf Ris joined by a flat-bottomed steering wheel with contrasting gloss black inserts and fingertip controls.

The highlights throughout the cabin have been replaced by high-gloss black inserts contrasting against turned aluminium trim.  The aluminium trim extends to a set of ‘R’ kick plates found in the door frame.    

Retail prices (VAT and Emissions Tax included)

2.0 TSI (188 kW) Manual    R403 355
2.0 TSI (188 kW) DSG        R417 855

The Scirocco R comes standard with a 5 year/90 000km Service Plan, 3 year/120 000km warranty and a 12 year anti-corrosion warranty. Service Interval is 15 000km.