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Don Booker MBE enjoys the Volkswagen Scirocco
By Don Booker MBE
 Today we see plenty of sports coupes, in fact most manufacturers have them in their stable, but the trendsetter in this era of design must surely be Volkswagen with the Scirocco – and that was 34 years ago.
It took many of its lines from the Golf and had square looks rather than later contours. Now we have the third generation which remains true to formula with iconic design, two doors, four seats, front engine and front-wheel-drive.
What a lovely car it is to look at and to drive, catching the glances of so many during our travels through the Yorkshire Dales. In Grassington and Kettlewell, tourists turned from the gift shop windows to gaze at this new car from VW which is the most technically advanced production coupe they have ever produced.
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At certain points one can see the Golf, but the new Scirocco with historic roots is both longer and wider than the Golf GTi, but is lower to give that sporty look.
Its looks are all-new and the VW roundel has been moved from the grille to the bonnet which no doubt is a sign of change for the company’s cars. The front looks dynamic with smart grille and headlight units and is probably one of the best looking VWs we have seen.
The entry model in 1974 had only a 1.3 60bhp engine, but the model just announced comes initially with a 2-litre turbo unit that develops 197bhp with a six-speed manual gearbox and costs £20,940.
Performance-wise, it covers 0-62mph in 7.2 seconds and has a top speed of 146mph. The combined consumption is over 37mpg. There is an automatic version for those who want an easier time at the wheel – it costs £22,270.
The specification comes in two twin levels, but the first model offered is the GT which includes 19-inch alloys, adaptive chassis control, two-zone electronic climate control with leather on wheel and trim.
There’s no better interior in a coupe, with four well-formed sports seats offering support and comfort for all occupants. They are positioned low in true sports car style and headroom is ample.
The rear seats can be split and folded to increase luggage space with a maximum 755 litres available. Rear seat entry is made better by front seats that tip and slide forward and when they are put back, they automatically return to their previously set positions, with no need to fiddle with the adjuster.
Instruments are easy to read, but the rear view mirror does sit low in a rather shallow windscreen.
There is nothing flashy about the Scirocco, it is smart and sporty and gets its name from a hot wind that blows from the Sahara desert to the Mediterranean. That’s one way of impressing your friends.
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