scirocco 3

Volkswagen officially announced in June 2006 production of a new Scirocco model at the AutoEuropa assembly plant in Palmela, Portugal.

The new model, identified by the internal type numbers 137 or 1K8, is based on the PQ35 platform of the Golf V and was unveiled at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show. It went on sale in summer 2008 in Europe, with sales in other countries beginning early 2009. The MkIII Scirocco won “Car of the Year 2008” from Top Gear (magazine).

The 2008 model of the Scirocco received a five star safety rating from EuroNCAP even after the driver test dummy hit its head off the steering wheel because of the airbag “bottoming out”. The model tested was a left-hand-drive three-door hatchback and scored in four areas:

Scirocco R (2009–)

The Scirocco R is a production model based on the GT24. Its 2.0 L TSI engine is rated 265 PS (195 kW; 261 hp) at 6,000 rpm and 350 N·m (258 lb·ft) at 2,500 rpm, large air intake openings in the front bumper, an integrated front spoiler, bi-xenon headlights, larger rear roof edge spoiler, black diffuser, dual exhaust with chrome tailpipes, Talladega 18-inch alloy wheels.

Engines

Model	Years	engine type/code	Power@rpm	Torque@rpm
Petrol engines
1.4 TSI 122 bhp	2008–	1,390 cc (1.39 L; 85 cu in) I4 turbo	122 PS (90 kW; 120 hp) @ 5,000	200 N·m (148 lb·ft) @ 1,500–4,000
1.4 TSI 122 bhp BlueMotion Technology	2009–	1,390 cc (1.39 L; 85 cu in) I4 turbo	122 PS (90 kW; 120 hp) @ 5,000	200 N·m (148 lb·ft) @ 1,500–4,000
1.4 TSI 160 bhp	2008–	1,390 cc (1.39 L; 85 cu in) I4 supercharger + turbo	160 PS (118 kW; 158 hp) @ 5,800	240 N·m (177 lb·ft) @ 1,500–4,500
2.0 TSI 200–210 bhp	2008–	1,984 cc (1.984 L; 121.1 cu in) I4 turbo (EA888 -CCTA/CBFA/CAWB)	210 PS (154 kW; 207 hp) @ 5,300–6,200	280 N·m (207 lb·ft) @ 1,700–5,000
Scirocco R/2.0 TSI	2009–	1,984 cc (1.984 L; 121.1 cu in) I4 turbo (EA113)	265 PS (195 kW; 261 hp) @ 6,000	350 N·m (258 lb·ft) @ 2,500
Diesel engines
2.0 TDI CR 140 bhp	2008–	1,968 cc (1.968 L; 120.1 cu in) I4 turbo	140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) @ 4,000	320 N·m (236 lb·ft) @ 1,750–2,500
2.0 TDI CR 170 bhp	2009–	1,968 cc (1.968 L; 120.1 cu in) I4 turbo	170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) @ 4,200	350 N·m (258 lb·ft) @ 1,750–2,500

All models include standard six-speed manual transmission. The 1.4 TSI (160 PS) can optionally be fitted with a seven-speed DSG transmission, while the 2.0 TSI 200, 2.0 TSI 210, R 2.0 TSI 265 and 2.0 TDI are available with a six-speed DSG transmission.
The EA888 2.0 TSI uses an IHI K03 water-cooled turbocharger incorporated in exhaust manifold, while a BorgWarner turbocharger is used in EA113 2.0 TSI versions.

The 140 bhp 2.0 TDI engine is also provided with the BlueMotion Technology package. This package features stop start technology and regenerative braking to reduce emissions to 118 g/km CO₂.

Motorsports

In the 24 Hours Nürburgring in May 2008, three new Volkswagen Scirocco did very well in the field of over 200, among them many high powered cars, finishing 11th and 15th, with veteran Hans Joachim Stuck driving both cars (and Carlos Sainz the slower one). The direct competitors, two Opel Astra H GTC driven by drivers selected from 18,000 hopefuls in a year-long TV covered process, were beaten decisively. In the Scandinavian Touring Car Championship, Fredrik Ekblom drives a Scirocco for the Biogas team. The car is run on biogas and not petrol.

Absence of a North American version

In April 2007, Volkswagen America vice president Adrian Hallmark claimed that Volkswagen preferred not to bring the Scirocco to North America since it could negatively affect GTI sales. It was later stated that the final decision would be made in 2008 by Martin Winterkorn (Volkswagen’s CEO), not Volkswagen of America.

In early March 2008, MotorAuthority reported that, due to the increasing gap between the United States dollar and the Euro, the Scirocco would not be made available for American consumers. “This car would fit the U.S. market but at the current exchange rate we wouldn’t make any money.” Volkswagen sales and marketing chief Detlef Wittig told Bloomberg reporters.

Concepts

IROC concept (2006)

A concept car previewing the then upcoming Scirocco III was unveiled at the 2006 Paris Auto Show. Named IROC, from the middle four letters of “Scirocco”,^[15] it used a 200 hp (150 kW) TSI engine.

Scirocco GT24 (2008–)

Scirocco GT24 racecar

The Scirocco GT24 is a race car for the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring. It has a 2.0 L TSI engine rated 325 PS (239 kW; 321 hp) and 340 N·m (251 lb·ft) at 2,100 rpm, DSG transmission.

The GT24 was unveiled at GTI Meet 2008 in Wörthersee.

Scirocco Studie R (2008)

The Studie R is a concept car based on the Scirocco GT24, after Volkswagen had cancelled the production of the Scirocco R32. It has a 2.0 L TSI engine rated at 270 PS (199 kW; 266 hp), six-speed dual clutch transmission, four-piston brake calipers and a sound-optimized exhaust system with oval, polished tailpipes.

The Studie R was unveiled at the Bologna Motor Show