Many bizarre things are spotted in the American desert but the latest major sighting has nothing to do with UFO landings or unearthing the remains of someone who wronged a casino owner. It’s the prototype of the eagerly awaited VW Scirocco.
Volkswagen engineers have begun testing of the new Scirocco prototype in the USA. The vehicle is based on the Iroc concept that was previewed at the Paris Motor Show in September last year.
Judging by spy shots taken in the desert, the high-tailed coupe styling remains. Although the test vehicles are well camouflaged with the requisite test mule cladding, the overall shape of the vehicle suggests that the Scirocco will not be based on the Golf or Jetta, like previous models. Instead, it is likely to share its platform with the VW Eos convertible.
Following the success of the previous two generations of the Scirocco, produced between 1975 and 1991, VW launched the Corrado in 1992 to a largely unresponsive market. Consequently, the company ceased production of the model in 1996. Because of the recent success of the new GTI and R32, however, it seems that VW feels that the time is right for a revival of this sporty hatchback coupe.
The bold, aggressive styling of the Iroc concept will be a key factor in the Scirocco’s success. Although how much of the concept’s radical styling will make its way across to the production model remains to be seen. Especially after the company saw a major change in its management plans last year; chairman, Martin Winterkorn, sent designs for the Scirocco and other soon–to-be-launched models back to the drawing board earlier this year. He said that he wanted the cars to look “more uniform at the front end”. Maurat Günak, the then designer of the new Scirocco and VW’s head of design, was replaced by ex-Audi designer, Walter de’Silva, who has since proceeded with the cutting and shaping of the Iroc concept to something that pleases Winterkorn’s eye.
A low-slung appearance, wider and lower than that of the concept, would definitely play in the Scirocco’s favour. There is no official word on powerplants at present, although suggestions have been made that the company’s 120 kW twin-charged TSI engine could be utilised for European market. The Golf GTi’s 147 kW 2,0T FSI engine would be a logical choice for the Scirocco, but given its omission Stateside due to a potential conflict with GTI sales, it remains to be seen whether this powerplant will feature on the new car. Hopefully the appeal of the Iroc concept won’t be too diluted by Winterkorn’s wishes.
