VW TURNS UP THE HEAT

VOLKSWAGEN SCIROCCO R

Finally, a go-faster Scirocco...

Right, and very predictable, considering the environment in the hot hatchback market and Volkswagen's need to give its iconic Scirocco more zest. The R model seen here in these first official pictures is a souped-up version of the regular one, which made its Thai debut at the Bangkok motor show in March. A total of 46 Sciroccos have claimed to be sold since.

- Boy, does it look even better now...

You bet. The larger mag wheels are new and available in either 18- or 19-inch variations. The specially designed front air vents, xenon lights, smoked tail lamps and rear diffuser help add to its muscular looks, while the upgraded interior with higher grade leather and bespoke steering wheel round off the threat, making the stock Scirocco suddenly seem dull in appearance.

- Has the power been tweaked to over 220hp?

Of course, the 2.0-litre engine has been modified to produce 265hp and 350Nm, up by 65hp and 60Nm over the stock Scirocco. No performance figures have been disclosed, but expect the 0-100kph time to be around a second faster at no more than six seconds. Because of that, the R will be an expensive import in Thailand due to tax reasons. Anything below 220hp and 2,000cc faces 30% excise tax; above 220hp immediately hits 50%. That means the R would cost at least B4m, up from the normal's B2.46m - similarly to Subaru Impreza 220hp WRX (35%) and 300hp STi (50%) variants.

- Damn! Guess I'll just tune the regular model...

That's possible, as Motoring has heard from sources at the Thai VW office that the Scirocco's 2.0-litre turbo engine (used by Audi, too) is claimed to have the ability to deliver nearly 300hp at the twitch of engine management remapping. That's how after-market modifiers like ABT have managed to proliferate in the country, thanks to the 220hp tax barrier. But VW didn't simply do that with the R.

- You mean the R has a different engine?

Volkswagen says the 2.0-litre EA888 engine of the normal Scirocco is distinctive to the R's 2.0-litre EA113 unit. The latter has new alloy head, uprated pistons and conrods, high pressure injectors, more turbo boost of 1.2 bar and intercooler to deal with more heat.

- So modifying EA888 is not advisable?

That's difficult to say, but maybe no (for longevity concerns) if there aren't more modifications than just the ECU tweak. It gets a little more confusing when the R's EA113 is actually a development of that used in the previous Golf Mk5, according to VW sources. The Scirocco's EA888 is also used in the new Golf GTi Mk6, which is reportedly coming to Thai shores at end of this year.

- What's the case with Audi?

After scouring through the press releases of Audi, Motoring has found that they have used the same approach as VW when developing the S3, which has the same 265hp EA113 (belt-driven camshafts, Audi points out) as the Scirocco R. The normal A3 2.0 TFSI uses EA888 (chain-driven).

- Got it. That means there are chassis mods for the Scirocco R, too...

Volkswagen hasn't been specific about the brakes or suspension parts, but would only say that the R gets additional chassis enhancements like electronic traction control for the front-wheel drive system (similarly in the Mazda 3 MPS and Ford Focus RS to stay away from the more expensive and heavier all-wheel-drive) and adaptive chassis that can alter the throttle, steering and suspension characteristics. Both features were introduced in the Golf GTi Mk6 (the normal Scirocco hasn't got them).

- Will the GTi become as hot as the Scirocco R in the future?

That all depends on VW's marketing strategists. But one thing's for sure: the R32 of the previous Golf using a normally-aspirated 250hp 3.2-litre V6 is a thing of the past. It is known that VW now wants to concentrate on high-output, small engines to become more acceptable socially to environmentalists, and resort to the efficient twin-clutch automatic transmission technology.

- And will there be an even hotter Scirocco?

Quite possibly, since the Subaru Impreza and Ford Focus have 300hp range-toppers. As well, Audi is planning an RS3 with over 300hp in the future and that could theoretically form the basis for the spiciest of all Sciroccos, although Audi planners may not easily allow that to happen.

- Do you think that VW will bring the Scirocco R to Thailand?

If Subaru has the balls to bring in the STi at B3.95m, VW should also do so. Better too is the Scirocco's DSG auto 'box over the STi's manual version. If VW doesn't, then the grey market may find a way to sell Scirocco R as they know voodoo, when it comes to pricing.

- Why voodoo?

There's one independent importer selling Audi's 272hp TT S for B4.9m - roughly the same as Audi's official 200hp TT - when the two cars, in fact, are taxed at completely different rates - 50% and 30% respectively.