Hinting a Geneva Preview? VW launches Scirocco minisite

Click image for a high-res gallery of the VW IROC concept
Last May, we said the Scirocco may be U.S.-bound. At the time, it was AutoWeek who seemed to think the then-distant 2008 Geneva Motor Show would be an appropriate venue for Volkswagen to make the announcement. Well, it has been nine months, and VW is still closemouthed on any official disclosure, but we've all but been assured that it's not coming our way.
Now, word comes that Volkswagen has launched a Scirocco minisite dedicated to the future coupe. This move is fueling speculation that a Scirocco announcement next month in Geneva is imminent. As expected from a German teaser-site, very little is disclosed other than a few shadowy glimpses of the bodywork. However, a "2.0 TSI" badge is clearly visible, hinting at VW's 200 hp gasoline powerplant. Will Geneva host the long anticipated announcement from VW, or is this just another breadcrumb? We'll let you know in two weeks.
Gallery: VW Scirocco - spy shots
Gallery: Volkswagen IROC
[Source: Carscoop]











Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Sue.Denim 8:22AM (2/25/2008)
This is why I refuse to buy German cars (Mercedes, Audi, VW, BMW). They're racist idiots. They keep telling me I can't have the models that I want, because Americans don't want those things. It couldn't be their inept-non-marketing efforts, or that the dealers used the hatches as bait and switch vehicles. No, it's all that Americans don't want hot-hatches.
So because of that, and that they're overpriced, oil leaking and have problems with electrical, are why I sold my BMW and probably won't be buying a German car soon.
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rbw 8:50AM (2/25/2008)
I'm sorry, "racist"? American isn't a race.
Sue.Denim 11:25AM (2/25/2008)
Fair enough RBW. Thanks for the correction/clarification. Technically, race is artificial designation anyways. So the way racism is usually used is culturalist, and that's how I meant it.
LOs 11:38AM (2/25/2008)
I have to agree with you though.
I owned a corrado, a reader-ride of the day here nonetheless. If these hatches didn't have a 50% premium over your dime a dozen focus or corolla, the automakers would find there is a market for these cars in the U.S.
geo.stewart 8:22AM (2/25/2008)
Call me Mr Obvious.
nice looking ride that would have a following here in the US. would outpace the GTI I bet.
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DinA5 8:32AM (2/25/2008)
Looks like an armored scout car. Next step in car development is to omit the windows completely i think.
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nate 8:35AM (2/25/2008)
Why did you change the nice picture you had on this article? The car pictured before this green monster looked production ready, while this thing is a beast...
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And 8:43AM (2/25/2008)
It's "2.0 TSI", not TFSI. So expect some figure bigger than 200 hp.
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axel cortez 10:19AM (2/25/2008)
the 2.0tsi is the same engine as the 2.0tfsi they only changed the name scheme...
tsi = turbo stratified injection
tfsi = turbo fuel stratified injection
they just take out the fuel part of the line as it is obvious
so you could see this car in 200 240 260 or 275 hp variants
chihuang 6:28PM (2/25/2008)
I wouldn't say if it's just a naming scheme, because if you're aware of VW's engines, there are two separate engine technologies named TFSI and TSI.
TFSI is just what's in the current GTI, turbocharged FSI engine, while TSI is turbocharged-supercharged engine, as seen in the Golf GT with 1.4 turbocharger AND supercharger.
So unless VW is changing the use of such badge, I think this 2.0 TSI badge should yield a more powerful engine with better fuel efficiency (like the 1.4 TSI)
Schmeltz 8:58AM (2/25/2008)
OK....Here's the thing that get's me...The Scirocco is denied by VW management to sell in America...but instead we get the Phaeton???
What happened to this Company?
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zamafir 9:37AM (2/25/2008)
Scirocco is cheaper then the phaeton, which means the margins are less, which means VW makes less, which means they're bringing in another hatch in the already crowded and overlapping Rabbit/GTI/stagnent R32 market. It's not rocketscience, esp with the US economy continuing to suck more and more making it harder and harder to justify slim margin cars. VW's not the only company who's stated this directly several times.
FSM 9:15AM (2/25/2008)
As a rule I buy 4 door cars, but if this coupe came to the USA I would seriously reconsider that rule.
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Jason parry 12:11PM (2/25/2008)
The Scirocco is an EOS coupe with nostalgic marketing. Nothing more.
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David S. 12:42PM (2/25/2008)
I'm getting old! As much as I like the eye-candy of new cars, I'm sitting here waiting for the VW dealership to call back with a price to fix our 2000 Jetta that dropped a window this weekend--I realize I'm in good company here, that they even had to extend the warranty for this because it was happening so much. I want to pay a fair price for a car that I can rely on.
How about VW/Audi stop developing new car designs, and instead spends a year or two working out their existing production problems. Quite frankly I'm not considering a new Audi A3 now, based on my VW problems. For a while there I considered paying more for the Audi, but I've fallen for the "isn't the interior great?" once already. I'll buy the Impreza instead and spend the difference on our house interior, thanks.
(Wow, I do sound bitter, don't I?)
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Fooman 6:02PM (2/25/2008)
yes/no yes/no...
Personally VW needs to get with it. A light car with a decent engine would sell, sporty with good milage... Right now the VW lineup is fairly ho hmm. ESP when for a few grand more you can get the audi version. R32 vs A3 3.2 quatro anyone?
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