SEEMS YOU’RE SPOILT for choice if you’re a fan of hot hatches and the VW badge. The new Scirocco R finishes off a quartet of VW sports cars that includes the ubiquitous Golf GTI and the recently launched Polo GTI and Golf R. Like the Golf R, the heart of the Scirocco is the same 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged engine found in the Audi S3, and not the newer EA888 engine fitted to the Golf GTI and the conventional Scirocco. More about that later, but comparisons between the Golf R and the Scirocco are inevitable given that they’re mechanically related and specced similarly. They are quite different though.

Exterior

Ever heard of Beatrix Kiddo? The katana wielding bridal assassin? Yup, that would be Uma Thurman in Kill Bill. Beautiful to behold, ever so slightly mental and definitely not to be messed with. The Scirocco has a bit of Uma in it, and that’s a good thing. It’s lower, wider and sexier than the tubbier Golfs, and the R has several subtle bespoke tweaks that differentiate it from lesser Sciroccos. These include revised bumpers front and rear, larger 19-inch five-spoke alloys, LED daytime running lights, two chromed exhaust exits set in a diffuser, a larger rear wing, gloss black detailing on the grille and mirrors, smoked rear light lenses and new side sills. Call it understated aggression, just like Uma in a spandex suit ready for some slice-and-dice.

Interior

Inside it’s a more sombre story, although VW has tried to liven things up with R logos, blue dials, gloss black and aluminium inserts, and the GTI’s familiar flat-bottomed steering wheel. Our test unit came specced with an optional panoramic sunroof (R8 820) and racing bucket seats (R20 000). We’d lose the sunroof and ditch the buckets for the more practical but still supportive standard sports seats that make getting in and out of the car a lot easier. The usual Scirocco niggles remain. There’s no release on the hatch itself, which means you have to open it either with a button on the key or flip the release switch in the car itself. Visibility to the rear is compromised by the sloping roof and small rear window, but at least park distance control comes standard. Plus there’s not a lot of headroom in the back if you’re intent on cramming two adults behind the front seats.

Performance

There’s no whining if you’re the one behind the wheel though. We mentioned earlier that the R uses the older Audi S3 engine, a proven mill fettled to 188kW and 350Nm of torque. Our test unit featured a six-speed manual transmission (R403 355), not the more expensive dual-clutch transmission (which pushes the sticker price to R417 855) and for once we didn’t miss the DSG box. There’s a strong surge to the engine with a nice burble to the exhaust note as you accelerate and shift through the gears. It’s pretty quick too, with our 0-100kph time at Killarney Race Track coming up in
6.45 seconds. Claimed time for the DSG version is 5.8 seconds.

Handling