By Gary Cundliffe. 

The New Scirocco has finally been launched at the 2008 Geneva Motorshow. 34 years after it was first introduced to the public, also at Geneva, we can finally see what is billed to be Volkswagens affordable sports coupe.

The UK market is an important theatre for Volkswagen when it comes to selling sports cars, and pricing will be in some ways key to its sucess. No official prices have been launched, but expect a model priced very close to the Golf GTi. Introduced to the German dealers by late summer, and hopefully to the uk by the autumn. The rest of the world can expect deliveries by early 2009.

Affordability comes too with the engine options. A common rail 140PS diesel, along with a 122, 160 and 200PS petrol engines should ensure appropriate levels of performance, economy and CO2 output in relation to road tax. Every engine features a charger of some kind to maximise power and minimise fuel. A six speed manual gearbox is standard with the option of the first transverse mounted seven speed DSG.

Inside, the car is a four seater, the design of the seat layout will be transfered to the Passat CC. Leather and Alcantara options join two navigation choices, the second being the latest touch screen technology with built in hard drive. White bespoke dials finish the instrument cluster.

Active suspension, similar to the Audi TT and a panoramic glass roof top the options list of a fairly impressive standard car.

Not only have they designed and introduced an attractive car, Volkswagen intend to introduce this with attractive pricing too. At a similar size to the Golf GTi, is the market leader about to be overtaken by a long-lost relation who has just returned to the family?

More Photos

Discuss this in our Forums