If you thought that buying a Scirocco didn't make sense because a Golf GTI is more powerful, you're about to change your mind because Volkswagen South Africa has just announced that the Scirocco is now available with the same engine that does service in the sixth generation GTI.
Not that there's any other changes. The new Scirocco appears to use the very same exterior as the less powerful models, with the same low stance, gaping grille and wide haunches that make its silhouette unmistakable.
The 2,0-litre TSI 155 kW engine that replaces the old 147 kW TSI unit develops maximum power from 5 300 r/min to 6 200 r/min. The same 280 N.m of torque is now available between1 700 r/min and 5 200 r/min.
As was the case before, the new engine will be offered with the choice of a six-speed manual gearbox or six-speed dual-clutch (DSG) transmission. Volkswagen claims the new Scirocco equipped with a DSG transmission sprints from zero to 100 km/h in 6,9 seconds on to a top speed of 238 km/h (240 km/h for Sciroccos equipped with a manual gearbox).
2,0 TSI Manual R325 200
2,0 TSI DSG R339 700
Scirocco comes standard with a 5 year / 90 000 km service plan, 3 year / 120 000km warranty and 12 year anti corrosion warranty. Service intervals are every 15 000km.
This smacks of the Golf 4 1.8 -> 2.0 debacle of a couple of years ago. Why did VW even bother releasing this model with the old engine and then dumping it only a little while later? Not only does it hurt resale, but it makes it very difficult to know what second hand model you are looking at in the classifieds. Thanks VW - especially from existing buyers!
