Test Drive: VW Scirocco R
The 261bhp R is the ultimate Volkswagen Scirocco. We put it through its paces.
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What is it?<?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = O /><O
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Sister car to the Golf R, the 261bhp Scirocco R is VWs fastest front driver and the flagship of the coupe range. Prices start at 28,295.
Technical highlights?<O
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The engines already familiar from the Golf R (where it has another 5bhp) and Leon Cupra R, there are two other features worth mentioning: ACC and XDS. The former is Adaptive Chassis Control, affects the ride and works very well, the latter brakes an inside wheel to reduce torque steer, understeer and tries to mimic an LSD. It doesnt work so well.
Whats it like to drive?<O
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Good, but not quite great. Its a lovely car to live with, civilised and harmonious. The engine isnt quite as raspily tuneful here as in the Leon Cupra R, but its just as effective at delivering creamy, constant urge with a tinge of aural enticement. The manual gearbox could do with a tighter, shorter shift.
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Although ACC offers three modes, Normal strikes a very good balance between cosset and control. Comfort allows a touch too much damper travel, but Sport is fine when youre pressing on it makes the Scirocco R feel nicely taut. It corners eagerly and even brings the rear into play a little (especially when the tyres are cold I found out), and if you keep your inputs smooth itll carry loads of speed through and out of corners. <O
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But it neither enjoys nor rewards being taken by the scruff of the neck and hurled along. It tries to stay with you, but the steering doesnt have such a crisp, feelsome connection with the front end as youd hope and on wet roads at least you quickly trigger the electronic intervention. Even with the ESP switched off the XDS still grabs a wheel to stop it spinning; this in itself isnt undesirable, but it makes you aware the Scirocco R isnt quite the real deal its still a little artificial. With a proper diff, it really could be quite special.
How does it compare?<O
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Picking rivals is tricky. Its not going to offer you the same options and entertainment through a corner as a Nissan 370Z, and doesnt have the hardcore front end feel of a Ford Focus RS. Its closest natural rival is probably the Renaultsport Megane 250 - which does have a proper diff and is more fun to punt along. The Golf R with 4wd is arguably a more interesting car, too.
Anything else I need to know?<O
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Its five grand more than the 23,540 2.0 TSI GT and although it comes across as a touch more alert and precisely engineered, Im not sure Id spend the extra cash.
evo RATING
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Very well rounded
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Needs more edge
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evo SPECIFICATIONS
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Engine: </TD><TD vAlign=top itxtvisited="1">In-line 4cyl, 1984cc, turbo </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tableText border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" itxtvisited="1"><TBODY itxtvisited="1"><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD vAlign=top width=140 itxtvisited="1">
Max power: </TD><TD vAlign=top itxtvisited="1">261bhp/6000rpm </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tableText border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" itxtvisited="1"><TBODY itxtvisited="1"><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD vAlign=top width=140 itxtvisited="1">
Max torque: </TD><TD vAlign=top itxtvisited="1">258lb ft/2500-5000rpm </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tableText border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" itxtvisited="1"><TBODY itxtvisited="1"><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD vAlign=top width=140 itxtvisited="1">
0 - 60mph: </TD><TD vAlign=top itxtvisited="1">6.3secs (claimed) </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tableText border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" itxtvisited="1"><TBODY itxtvisited="1"><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD vAlign=top width=140 itxtvisited="1">
Top speed: </TD><TD vAlign=top itxtvisited="1">155mph (limited) </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
[evo]