The new Scirocco is based on the 5th-generation Golf which we first laid eyes on in 2007. It is no surprise then if I tell you that the Scirocco has the feel and texture of the GTI from that vintage. In fact, the Rocco is very much a GTI with kindred handling, feedback and driving characteristics. For some reason, I was expecting differently; the Rocco and GTI share nothing panel-wise so I equated that to two different drives.
Blowing like the wind
This is a good thing. The GTI is highly regarded as one of the better-handling sporty compact cars in the world and not to mention, one of the most civilized and easy to live with on a daily basis. Yet again, I was expecting the Scirocco to be thrashing me and my passengers around like ice cubes in a cocktail shaker. Not so.
Actually, the Scirocco provided myself and my two buddies a better than decent ride, even over cobble-stone roads. As with all self-respecting German cars, they are designed for high-speed driving, for stability and control. Though much of my driving did take place within the big city's limits, we did drive to Chartres one evening to see the old Notre-Dame cathedral. We negotiated some country roads before we settled on the A11. The posted speed limit was 130 km/h, but sailing along at 150 km/h only begged me to carry on faster, which I didn't.
In town, the highly sophisticated electromechanical steering proved to be well-adjusted for tight low speed manoeuvres and last-second-quick lane changes. The 4-wheel disc brakes also demonstrated their worth, once again in the streets of Paris as crazed scooters and mad determined motorists dove in and out of traffic while negotiating l'Étoile, better known as l'Arc de Triomphe. Successfully navigating this historical site deserves a victory lap!
170-hp TDI
Here ends the flattering comparison between the GTI and the Scirocco. My Sportline trimmed, Candy Apple White Scirocco was endowed with what I consider the second-best 4-cylinder engine in VAG's arsenal, the first being the well-know 2.0 TFSI. This iteration of VW's TDI is the most powerful, not to mention refined and tractable 4-cylinder diesel engine I have ever experienced. Coupled to the excellent 6-speed DSG gearbox, I was flying through intersections, minding only those coming from the right as they have priority.
Pushing 258 lb-ft of torque as of only 1,750 rpm, the Scirocco TDI is a bonafied street-light racer, at least it should be. My only issue here is that a rushed throttle mash from a standstill gets the clutch slipping, and only after a demoralizing moment will the car take off. I will have the same comment in my upcoming GTI review.
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| In town, the highly sophisticated electromechanical steering proved to be well-adjusted for tight low speed manoeuvres and last-second-quick lane changes. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
Blowing like the wind
This is a good thing. The GTI is highly regarded as one of the better-handling sporty compact cars in the world and not to mention, one of the most civilized and easy to live with on a daily basis. Yet again, I was expecting the Scirocco to be thrashing me and my passengers around like ice cubes in a cocktail shaker. Not so.
Actually, the Scirocco provided myself and my two buddies a better than decent ride, even over cobble-stone roads. As with all self-respecting German cars, they are designed for high-speed driving, for stability and control. Though much of my driving did take place within the big city's limits, we did drive to Chartres one evening to see the old Notre-Dame cathedral. We negotiated some country roads before we settled on the A11. The posted speed limit was 130 km/h, but sailing along at 150 km/h only begged me to carry on faster, which I didn't.
In town, the highly sophisticated electromechanical steering proved to be well-adjusted for tight low speed manoeuvres and last-second-quick lane changes. The 4-wheel disc brakes also demonstrated their worth, once again in the streets of Paris as crazed scooters and mad determined motorists dove in and out of traffic while negotiating l'Étoile, better known as l'Arc de Triomphe. Successfully navigating this historical site deserves a victory lap!
170-hp TDI
Here ends the flattering comparison between the GTI and the Scirocco. My Sportline trimmed, Candy Apple White Scirocco was endowed with what I consider the second-best 4-cylinder engine in VAG's arsenal, the first being the well-know 2.0 TFSI. This iteration of VW's TDI is the most powerful, not to mention refined and tractable 4-cylinder diesel engine I have ever experienced. Coupled to the excellent 6-speed DSG gearbox, I was flying through intersections, minding only those coming from the right as they have priority.
Pushing 258 lb-ft of torque as of only 1,750 rpm, the Scirocco TDI is a bonafied street-light racer, at least it should be. My only issue here is that a rushed throttle mash from a standstill gets the clutch slipping, and only after a demoralizing moment will the car take off. I will have the same comment in my upcoming GTI review.
 |
| Pushing 258 lb-ft of torque as of only 1,750 rpm, the Scirocco TDI is a bonafied street-light racer, at least it should be. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |