Spy Shots: First look at production VW Scirocco!
by John Neff on Jul 18th 2007 at 9:55PM 
click above image to view many more spy shots of the VW Scirocco
After going back and forth on whether or not it will be offering the upcoming Scirocco hatchback in the U.S., Volkswagen still appears to be up in the air on the matter. These spy shots taken by KGP Photography in the deserts of California further confuse things. They are the first shots of an actual Scirocco prototype, not a Golf-bodied development mule.
Despite the front and rear ends being covered, it's easy to see that the production Scirocco will retain much of the style previewed on the IROC Concept last fall. It's clearly much lower than the Golf hatchback, with a cab-forward type greenhouse and short hood. It has a low-slung look, almost like the last-gen Honda Civic Si hatchback, but even lower and wider. The face, though obscured, also appears to sport a honeycomb grille almost identical to the one on the IROC Concept.
So will it come to the U.S. or won't it? We don't know, but we're hoping this prototype's presence in California is a good sign.
Feel free to link to this post, though we ask that you not republish these images elsewhere. Thank you.
[Photos: KGP Photography]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Felix 10:09PM (7/18/2007)
Ughhh...I hope not.
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BirdmanSTX 10:18PM (7/18/2007)
Bring it!! Would love to see this car here in the US... if done right :)
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Gene S 10:29PM (7/18/2007)
Hmmm, something actually more interesting than the Golf or Jetta? Can it be? Do it VW. I Would be very interested in buying this car, as long as you give it 'real' horsepower numbers. The 250 hp of the R32 simply won't do here in the US. Better give it "at least" 300bhp.
Turbofrog 10:46PM (7/18/2007)
The power isn't the problem, it's the weight. VWs are absurdly overweight. 3550 lbs for the R32 is ridiculous.
Jake B 11:14PM (7/18/2007)
Wow this thing looks grotesque. Maybe they should make a car that looks like the frame isn't bent in the middle.
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Guenther 11:30PM (7/18/2007)
Perhaps they're trying to hedge against negative commentary like what came up with the 'drooping door' on the 1series coupe. That or its a mix-up from Porsche Design: what you're looking at was supposed to a pointing device. Somewhere in China a factory is turning out some really fast looking new trackballs though.
Nick 11:11PM (7/18/2007)
Does VW really need another hatchback?, maybe if it sets itself apart from the GTI/golf and i mean REALLY sets itself apart. This model can be succesfull but it definately has to be done right including the horspower and wieght issues. Styling isn't bad though in the concept.
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Atomicbri 11:15PM (7/18/2007)
Bring it! I would love to see the Scirocco/ COrrado here in the US. VW's gti is great, but if they do this right they can have another excellent sports car in their portfolio.
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p 7:52PM (7/19/2007)
update the look of the 94 corrado.
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iamhoff 3:11AM (7/19/2007)
I didn't like the concept, and I don't like this one either. I know it isn't the most practical design, but DON'T MAKE THE DAMN THING LOOK LIKE A GOLF WITH A LONGER HOOD!!! Make the hatch slope back down just past the back seat, like both versions of the Scirocco and the Corrado. I don't want a fat-assed hatchback like the old BMW Z3 coupe or an old Pacer. Give the thing some style, dammit!
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Lucas 6:17AM (7/19/2007)
it looks like a dog trying to squeeze out a big turd. Nice.
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James 6:19AM (7/19/2007)
I'd buy it.
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DevIn 8:07AM (7/19/2007)
Looks more like an Audi, especially with the single framed radiator guard....
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tokastyle 9:40AM (7/19/2007)
Yuk, I cant wait until Porsche buys these guys and fires their design chief.
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bob 12:15PM (7/19/2007)
i like this car
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Sciroccokartei 12:49PM (7/19/2007)
Nice pictures, thanks for the Spy pic.
My comment: The storry of the Scirocco must go on.....
So or VW like!
Gregor
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EnviroBob 1:04PM (7/19/2007)
This thing looks more like a GTI update than a descendant of the 1st gen Scirocco.
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1337 3:21PM (7/19/2007)
I like the original Scirocco and the Corrado. However, when those cars were in production, VAG was not selling the Beetle, the TT, or the A3. These are all fine cars, but the A3 and especially the TT are overpriced considering that you can get essentially the same features and performance from a ~$23k GTI. I'm sorry, but the new Scirocco sounds like an other opportunity for Volkswagen to gouge customers with an overpriced, glorified GTI.
Also, the arch along the side of the car reminds me of a Chevy Astro after a crash test.
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tom 4:44PM (7/19/2007)
WTF! they should rename it the Daschund.
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archknight 6:03AM (7/23/2007)
The GTI/R32 does not equal sports car no matter how hard people would like to think or want it to be. The Scirocco and Corrado were both inspirational amazing vehicles for VW and reviving the Scirocco will be great for the image of the company. The ScIROCco concept was the first car from VW that I actually found appealing in a long time. Placing it as a true sports coupe hatch (unlike the imitation GTI), in sheer shape alone (wider stance, lower profile, & long sweeping roof line) sets it apart. If they give this car 2.0T (230hp) & R36 (300+hp & 4Motion) and price it comparably to other vehicles in the sports car segment (Ford Mustang, 350Z, Mitsubishi Eclipse/Evo X, Nissan Altima coupe, Honda Accord Coupe, Subaru Impreza WRX, etc.), it would be one of the hottest cars on the market. VW also needs to learn that black shouldn't be the only interior choice when it comes to top of the line interiors.
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