Filed under: Car Buying, Hatchbacks, Volkswagen
Volkswagen reconsiders bringing Scirocco to the States
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Volkswagen Scirocco
Volkswagen has heard our cries and is reconsidering its previous decision not to offer the Scirocco in the States.
Back when the low-slung hatch was launched in March, VW was insistent that the Scirocco would never find its way to U.S. shores, fearing that it would cannibalize sales of the GTI and that the strong euro would make it far too expensive.
Automotive News spoke with V-Dub spokesperson, Steve Keyes, who said the outcry from enthusiasts and the apparent popularity of the Scirocco in Europe has VW execs rethinking their initial decision. According to Keyes, "There's no real decision yet," and that if the Scirocco would be made available in the U.S., it would be positioned "a little bit differently." Two words: do it.
Gallery: 2009 Volkswagen Scirocco
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Mehdi Cheddadi 9:06AM (10/27/2008)
bring it! GTI's price will fall and we'll all be able to enjoy the ultimate hot hatch at bargain prices!
Reply
Mirko 9:11AM (10/27/2008)
The GTI's price didn't fall wenn they released the Rocco in Europe - they both sell for nearly the same price.
Rev 3:53PM (10/27/2008)
If the Wabbit is the ultimate hatch: kill me now, please.
For little more cash one can get a MS3 - for a little more cash, a WRX, which will wipe of the proverbial floor with a GTI. Heck, there's also the Mini Cooper S, the Cobalt, among many other vehicles.
Considering those options, I'd pass on the Wabbit, no matter the price.
Ligor 9:07AM (10/27/2008)
if they don't than VW would hold the best looking car they have from the US market
Reply
John Johnson 9:13AM (10/27/2008)
I would hate it if they brought this over. I just traded my 08 Rabbit for an 08 GTI 2 months ago; I would unquestionably lose a lot of money, because I would trade it in the day there was one on the lot.
Reply
elpyrodude 9:38AM (10/27/2008)
that's solid planning right there...
USCGTO 9:41AM (10/27/2008)
Do u actually mean u traded pretty much a brand new 08 rabbit for an 08 GTI... holy cow.
U my friend are trying whole heartedly to help the US auto sales numbers..
jeeeeez.. too much money..
(sorry for hijacking the comment flow.. )
yeah the sirocco is Hawt.
John Johnson 9:46AM (10/27/2008)
As horrible of a financial decision as it sounds, I didn't go upside down or I wouldn't have done it. I put $0 down on both the Rabbit and the GTI, and after 5 months with the Rabbit I traded it in. They took the difference of what I owe and what they would give me off the price of the car. So at the end of the day, I walked out with a GTI for less than sticker. Oh, and 0% financing. My payments went up $10/mo :D
Let's hope I can work another screamin deal if this one hits our shores.
Anthony 11:49PM (10/27/2008)
I think that's called "Read and Research" before DOING.
I waited until SRT-4's could come down to my price level, which ment getting a used one. Now it has almost 400hp and I'm happy but I love cars, will keep it and get something a tiny bit better on fuel (not by much because turbocharged cars out of boost are no worst than N/A engines).
Next car, mid 2011
Back on topic -
As he said it would be positioned differently, ie: cost more.
To ensure that GTI sales stay intact, the Rocco would be around 30K nicely equip'ed as they say in the advert biz.
For $5K more however you can get an EVO or STI, for $2-3K and a trip to Germany you can get a 300hp BMW 1series.
Not sure WHO would buy this, but I think the same people that won't buy a SRT-4, people that want to be slow in otherwords.
garlinski 9:14AM (10/27/2008)
oh..... please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please...
Reply
Axis 10:14AM (10/27/2008)
Let me, let me, let me
Let me get what I want
Lord Knows it would be the first time.
RLQ 6:19PM (10/27/2008)
,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please...,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please...,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please...,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please...,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please,please, please...
WOODY 9:15AM (10/27/2008)
My guess is that this will only come fully loaded and in limited numbers. VW and BMW never give us folks in the US any of their low end (meaning less equipped and smaller engines) models. For example, BMW shipped us the 128i but with its big v6, its pointless to be an entry car. VW needs to bring the smaller engines for other people to afford it.
I also feel VW is doing better than Toyota since VW doesn't have any US Plants ( well not now) that are affected by currency rates, maybe they should delay
this and just make them in Europe.
Reply
Ben Poese 9:30AM (10/27/2008)
"I also feel VW is doing better than Toyota since VW doesn't have any US Plants ( well not now) that are affected by currency rates, maybe they should delay this and just make them in Europe."
The way I understand it, it's more beneficial to automakers to build in the US right now because of our economy. The weak dollar essentially lowers prices to those using the Euro as their standard currency. IE: if it took .80 Euro to buy a dollar before, it's now taking .75 Euro to buy a dollar now.
WOODY 9:42AM (10/27/2008)
I don't know about that. Look at Toyota's industry...it has several facilities operating in the US where companies are going bankrupt.
pb 9:46AM (10/27/2008)
Hey, Woody,
BMW doesn't make a V6. They're all straight sixes.
akboss 9:18AM (10/27/2008)
If it arrives, this car won't decrease the cost of the GTI, because it won't be in the same ballpark. Remember reading that part of the article that says it will be 'positioned differently'? That means it will be a lot more expensive than most potential buyers could get excited about, because they definitely won't position this car down market from the current and upcoming GTI. If they price it out of the hot hatch league and into the likes of the new 370Z, it won't be competitive enough to sell. Keep the price low or its a dead duck, and as much as I want that to happen, it likely won't.
Reply
Todd 9:25AM (10/27/2008)
With 2010 Mustang and Camaro being V6 only and no more Corvettes, I am sure they see an opportunity to sell the fastest car in America.
Reply
jmt0602 9:31AM (10/27/2008)
Uhhhhh what are you talking about?
pb 9:55AM (10/27/2008)
Todd,
Not sure where you're getting your info but you need to verify their statements before quoting them for yourself. It's making you look stupid.