It Came from Kyrgyzstan: Steel Drake’s Volkswagen Concept Sports Car

Imagine for a second that, in the very near future, Audi is facelifting the TT to look more like its big brother R8. Then, halfway through the project, Audi cans it and hands over all its sketches and prototyping model to Volkswagen which then decides to put the two-door coupe into production.

Kyrgyzstanian graphic designer “Steel Drake” has created something very much fitting with this scenario in the form of his Volkswagen Concept Sports Car. Looking like a scaled-down, front engined Audi R8, Steel Drake’s Concept Sports is a simple-yet-sleek design let down only by some questionable design choices.

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CSR Automotive Adds Some Aggression to VW Scirocco Coupe

If the Volkswagen Scirocco coupe doesn’t look wild enough for your taste, you may want to take a look at CSR Automotive’s aesthetic treatment. The exterior mods include a new honeycomb lower grille in a matte black finish, a front apron, headlamp trims, side skirts and a rear apron with a diffuser that houses the new exhaust outlets. There’s also a rear spoiler and a matte black foil wrap in a carbon fiber look that partially covers the hood and the roof, as well as the exterior mirrors. Read more »

VIDEO: 627 hp VW Scirocco + Sweden and Snow = Awesome!

You probably think Sweden is all about IKEA, ABBA and Volvos. Of course you do because, like me, you base all your cultural assumptions on asinine, outmoded stereotypes. Though few would be so willing to admit it, we’ve all done it from time to time, mostly when drunk off our backsides around the family barbie.

So what if I told you the Swedes – well, a few of them anyways – were big into racing stripped out, turbocharged Volkswagen Scirocco’s packing AWD and 627 hp (468 kW)? And not simply racing them but racing them on snow and ice. You heard right, and we have the video to prove it.

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Volkswagen Reconsidering Scirocco and Phaeton for the U.S. Market

Earlier this month, Volkswagen announced that it’s going to expand its North American SUV lineup in order to catch up to GM and Toyota and triple its U.S. sales by 2018. However, the automaker also wants to boost its image, so it may bring back the Scirocco coupe and Phaeton sedan to the States.

In an interview in Washington, Jonathan Browning, head of Volkswagen’s U.S. operations, told Bloomberg News that the company is exploring the idea of selling the two models in the U.S. “We will reconsider bringing the Phaeton back to the U.S. in the next product cycle,” said Mr. Browning who added that no final decision has been made yet.

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New VW Scirocco BlueMotion returns 62.8 mpg UK

Volkswagen is upping the fuel economy ante in the UK with the presentation of new Scirocco and Passat CC diesel range that benefit from the firm's BlueMotion Technology.

Starting with VW's proposal in the compact coupe segment, all entry-level and GT trim models with the 2.0-litre 140HP diesel engine now feature BlueMotion Technology modifications, which include Stop/Start and battery regeneration systems, thus helping to create the cleanest and most fuel efficient Scirocco to date.

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VW Scirocco R: Now with Optional Racing Bucket Seats

Further twisting the knife on American buyers who can't get the Scirocco R on this side of the pond, Volkswagen today announced the introduction of race car-like bucket seats for the driver and front passenger.

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Sainz, Brundle, Bell, Laffitte and Biela Return to the Race Track for Scirocco R Cup

Five famous names from the world of motorsport including Carlos Sainz, Frank Biela, Jacques Laffite, Derek Bell and Martin Brundle are getting ready to line-up on the grid at Hockenheim this weekend (23-24 April) for the first round of the new VW Scirocco R Cup series.

Together, the five racing aces have started 343 Formula 1 Grand Prix and won the Dakar Rally, two World Rally Championship titles, the Sportscar World Championship, the German DTM championship, the British Touring Car Championship and the Le Mans 24-hour race a total of 11 times.

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VW Returns to the 'Ring with Improved Scirocco GT24-CNG

Volkswagen will participate at this year's edition of the Nürburgring 24-hour endurance race over the weekend 12-16 May with three natural gas-powered Scirocco GT24-CNGs.

The Scirocco GT24-CNG coupes are fitted with the same 2.0-litre TSI engine modified to run on natural gas that secured class victory at last year's event. A few minor tweaks help increase output from 325HP to 330HP.

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B&B Raises the Horsepower Bar with VW Scirocco R

The sportiest Scirocco of them all, the 'R' variant, has received the tender tuning affections of 'B & B'. Starting with the Scirocco R's 265HP 2.0-liter turbocharged unit, the German firm offers three different stages of engine mods , with the first bumping power to 310HP.

The next two stages incrementally increase output to 324HP and 362HP, respectively, with the most powerful version using a larger turbocharger, custom exhaust system with a larger downpipe and high-performance catalyst as well as a modified ECU, air-intake and intercooler.

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Car-Puccino: This 'Back to the Future' VW Scirocco Literally Runs on Coffee

When people think of alternative fuels for their cars, we doubt that coffee beans make the list. Yet a team of wacky inventors from the BBC1 science programme "Bang Goes The Theory" have managed to create a vehicle runs solely on gas produced by espresso roasted coffee granules!

Nicknamed Car-puccino, this 1988 VW Scirocco that looks like a bit like the Marty Mcfly's time-travelling DeLorean DMC-12 from the 'Back to the Future' trilogy, has been heavily modified to us coffee granules to power the engine.

So how does it work? According to the graph, the first stage involves heating the coffee granules with charcoal until the beans break down into cool hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

The gas is then fed into a radiator to chill down before it is filtered out in the boot. The purified gas is then led through a rooftop pipe into the engine where it burns and powers the car.

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Design Proposal for a New VW Corrado from the Imaginary World of "What If?"

Wait; isn't Volkswagen's new Scirocco supposed to be the spiritual successor to the long-gone Corrado coupe? Sure it is, but the folks from Miranda Media wanted to give an answer to the purely theoretical question of what would the Corrado look like in 2010 if Volkswagen designed a direct replacement for the fastback coupe.

The answer came from Patrick Moczarsky, a professional designer and graphic artist from Miranda Media, that sketched these design proposals for a new generation Corrado that modernizes the lines and styling elements of the original model.

"We realize, of course, that Volkswagen will not present such a car right now, but the flight of imagination is so fascinating that it won't give us a moment's rest", said Patrick Moczarsky as he was preparing for liftoff.

VW Scirocco gets Entry-Level 122HP 1.4 TSI Engine and New Styling Pack in the UK

Starting from January 2010, buyers in Britain will be able to order VW's new entry-level version of the Scirocco coupe that's powered by a 1.4-liter TSI petrol engine producing 122-horsepower and 147 lbs ft of torque, channeled to the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox.

Volkswagen says that the Scirocco 1.4 TSI 122HP accelerates from 0 to 62 mph (100km/h) in 9.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 124 mph or 200km/h while returning a combined fuel economy figure of 44.1 mpg UK (36.7mpg US or 6.4lt/100km) and CO2 emissions of 146 g/km

Prices for the new base Scirocco start at £18,860 RRP on the road, or £800 less than the 1.4 TSI 160HP model. Standard equipment includes a six-CD changer with iPod preparation, rain and dusk sensors, a multifunction computer, air conditioning and 17-inch alloy wheels as well as a host of safety features including ABS, ESP and six airbags.

In addition to the new entry-level model, VW's UK division also announced a new optional styling pack for the 2010 Scirocco GT. Dubbed "Lugano Black", the new package costs £950 and includes 19-inch 'Lugano' alloy wheels finished in gloss black and Piano Black decorative inserts throughout the cabin.

VW Scirocco Studie R with 270HP 2.0 TSI Revealed in Bologna

Volkswagen surprised us today with the unveiling of its latest design study, the Scirocco Studie R at the Bologna Motorshow in Italy. Inspired by the Scirocco GT24 which raced to success in its class at the Nurburgring 24-hour endurance race earlier this year, the Studie R essentially previews the forthcoming "R" version of the three-door coupe. Power comes from an uprated 2.0-liter TSI turbocharged engine that develops an output of 270HP and is closely related to the Audi S3's engine. This power is channeled to the front wheels through a 6-speed dual clutch transmission.

Finished in white, the Scirocco Studie R has contrasting high-gloss black detailing and styling accents in red and green to the wing mirrors and on the 'Bologna '08' badging, paying homage to the Show's host nation. Unique features include the new front bumper with the three large air intakes and a splitter, a distinct rear bumper which incorporates a diffuser and twin oval exhausts, new side skirts, a rear wing and polished 19-inch alloy wheels with five sets of triple spokes.

Inside the cabin, the most potent Scirocco continues the "white and black" theme which is complemented with low- and high-gloss carbonfibre trim. The Italian-inspired red and green design accents continue on the seams of the Recaro bucket seats, steering wheel, armrest, gearknob and floor mats.

Volkswagen Reveals Scirocco Collector's Edition at Essen Show

VW chose the Essen Motorshow in Germany (Nov. 28 to 7 Dec.) to announce the market launch of the Scirocco "Collector's Edition" that will be available from early 2009 in a limited number of 100 units. Based on the most powerful variant of the Scirocco with the 200HP 2.0 TSI engine, the Collector's Edition is distinguished on the outside by the 'Oryx White' paint and the newly designed 19-inch polished aluminum wheels. The interior has been given a special treatment with white leather seat and door-panel inserts while VW said that the faux coupe's standard equipment has been enhanced with many features such as the radio-navigation system RNS 510 with Dynaudio sound and the bi-xenon headlights.

ABT LaunchesTuning Package for VW Scirocco

*Updated with New Photos

ABT is one of the first tuners to get its hands on the new Volkswagen Scirocco which has just began arriving at the firm's European dealerships. The Kempten-based VW Group specialist has prepared an aggressive bodykit for the sport coupe that includes a new front bumper with a lip spoiler, side skirts with air inlets, a larger roof spooler, a rear skirt that incorporates a diagonally attached set of four tail pipes and a boot wing. The exterior package is complemented by new alloy wheels available in sizes 18 to 20’’.

To improve the coupe's handling, ABT has developed a new sport suspension that brings the Scirocco 30 mm closer to the ground. This particular package (combined with 19-inch alloys) will be available in Germany from January 2009 at a price of €5,990 or $8,300 US. Furthermore, the German tuner also offers a sport brake system.

Last but not least, ABT has developed power refinements for all the engines that are offered on the Scirocco. With the power kit, the 1.4-liter TSI’s output rises from 160 to 200HP, the 2.0 TSI’s from 200 to 240HP and the 2.0 TDI’s from 140 to 170HP.

VW Scirocco Police Car Heads to 2009 Essen Motorshow

For the past few years, the German Federal Traffic Ministry and the Association of German Automobile Tuners (VDAT) have been showing off custom-made police cars at Europe's largest aftermarket and tuning gathering, the Essen Motorshow, as part of the "Tune it Safe" initiative to encourage drivers to adopt safe and legal tuning practices. This year's Essen show that starts on November 29 will see the debut of a white and blue VW Scirocco.

Aside from the full police livery, the Scirocco 'Polizei' has received a number of upgrades from various tuners including an ABT engine kit that boosts the 1.4-liter TSI's output from 160 to 210HP, Eibach sport suspension, Remus exhaust system, 20-inch Ventus alloy wheels in 245/30 ZR20 Hankook tires, a subtle bodykit and Recaro bucket seats.

Via: Autoblog.nl , Source: Tune it Safe

VW Scirocco 2.0 TSI "Need for Speed Undercover" to Premiere at Essen

In yet another case of fantasy meets reality, Volkswagen's in-house customization and accessorization division, Individual, has joined forces with the makers of the Need for Speed (NFS) to create a real life version of the Scirocco that stars along with an array of other vehicles including the new Nissan 370Z in the latest iteration of Electronic Arts' (EA) racing game called Undercover. The one-off Scirocco will be revealed to public for the first time at the 2008 Essen Motoshow that runs 29 November to 7 December in Germany.

The show car is based on Scirocco with the 200HP strong 2.0-liter TSI engine and it sports a two-tone paint job that's adorned with NFS livery. VW Individual also equipped the Scirocco with a set of contrasting black 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 235/35 ZR19 Pirelli PZero rubber and a factory bodykit that consists of a front and rear spoiler lips, side sills and a roof spoiler. Mechanical upgrades are limited to 345mm front discs from the Golf R32 and the KW sport suspension.

The interior features more drastic changes as VW Individual's team stripped out the rear seats in order to fit in two 32-inch and two 19-inch Samsung monitors that are hooked up to three X-Box 360 video consoles, and eight high-end speakers. Other than that, the Scirocco sports EA's logo on the headrests and the NFS Undercover insignia on the steering wheel.

Via: Vau-Max