Volkswagen’s Scirocco is actually older than the Golf, having been introduced six months before its best-selling sibling.
Built on the same platform, but designed to be appreciably sportier, the Scirocco eventually made its way to South Africa in small numbers in 1980.
Powered by a 1,6-litre single overhead camshaft four-cylinder motor that produced 81 kW at 6 100 r/min and 140 N.m of torque at 5 000 r/min, the Scirocco GLi, tested for the November 1980 issue, sprinted to 100 km/h in 9,8 seconds and managed a 181 km/h top speed.