Filed under: Coupes, Euro, Hatchbacks, Volkswagen
Volkswagen dropping Scirocco R32 in favor of Scirocco R20T

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Volkswagen Scirocco
It's just a matter of time before Volkswagen begins offering a hotter, harder version of the new Scirocco, and according to CAR, the range-topping three-door will be packing the same 265-hp, 2.0-liter turbo as the Audi S3. The VW Scirocco R20T will be heavily influenced by the Scirocco GT24 racer that campaigned at the Nurburgring earlier this year, but without the vented hood, massive rear wing and aggressive front splitter. The sprint to 60 should be easily dispatched in under six seconds and a top speed of 155 mph is almost assured. Grippier seats and a stiffer ride that makes use of V-Dub's active suspension system are likely part of the package, and sales are expected to begin abroad in January for around £25,000. An R32 variant packing the VR6 is likely off the drawing board due to emissions and fuel economy, and if VW is actually considering bringing the Scirocco to the U.S., the R20T would be the perfect variant to distance itself from the equally competent GTI.
Gallery: 2009 Volkswagen Scirocco
Gallery: Volkswagen Scirocco GT24
[Source: CAR]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Kumail 3:37PM (11/25/2008)
still want....
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exkart 4:38PM (11/25/2008)
you took my exact words
Eddie 3:39PM (11/25/2008)
A 265hp 2.0T would haul ass. I would consider buying one.
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Danger_tweaker 3:40PM (11/25/2008)
LISBOA!! (LISBON) HURAY!!! =D Viva Portugal!
nice pics.
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Chase 3:41PM (11/25/2008)
Short listed.
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garlinski 3:43PM (11/25/2008)
I'll take it with a freaking mouse on a wheel under the hood... just bring it over here NOW!
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Brent 3:43PM (11/25/2008)
WOW this is the first VW i've ever seen that looks good. I would consider buying one of these if it wasnt hatchback.
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Eric Elinow 4:26PM (11/25/2008)
I still can't fathom why anyone wants a vehicle with a boot as opposed to a hatch. Hatches a sleek looking, far more versatile and generally decrease any kind of hideous overhang past the rear wheels allowing for the wheelbase to be closer to the overall length.
I'd like one as well, I just can't understand your reasoning for wanting a booted car.
Eric
Jrejre 4:54PM (11/25/2008)
Because I find most hatchbacks ugly. They have a miniature wagon/minivan vibe. I don't care about super practicality in a sporty car like the mazdaspeed 3 or focus, I would rather have a coupe version of both of those and I wouldn't consider the hatchback at all.
Recently, though, there have been some appealing hatchbacks. The Brera, C30, and now the scirocco. These cars are sleek and sporty and do not look like miniature minivans. Not sure how you could want a scirocco but not as a hatchback since they never showed a non-hatch version of it. You either like it or you don't.
Anyway if they keep making cars like I listed I would consider a hatchback and so would a lot of people. But I still wouldn't buy a focus/mazda 3/rabbit.
Torrent 3:51PM (11/25/2008)
The first time I saw the Sirocco, I thought it was butt ugly, Now I want it badly. A 2.0T would be amazing.
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happy_penguin 5:53PM (11/25/2008)
Wanna talk about ugly? A friend of mine had one like this:
http://www.carlustblog.com/images/2008/04/04/scirocco3.jpg
But for some reason it was just the coolest car even though it was a piece of crap.
prolix21 3:57PM (11/25/2008)
they need to bring this to the US, i'd totally buy one.
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zamafir 4:27PM (11/25/2008)
They are, it'll be here in september.
This was prety obvious, im not sure it caught anyone by surprise, every time the TT received a new more powerful version that powerplant and drivetrain made it into the R. Most of us were betting on the next .:R being a Scirocco with the 2.0T and 4motion from the TT-S, glad to see car has found some glimmer of truth to substantiate it.
I'll have one on order when the books open, at 30-40 It'll be noticeably faster and handle better than the R32 it replaces and finally be an .:R car capable of at least hanging with the EVO X and WRX STi
Rev 5:00AM (11/26/2008)
I don't see how this thing is going to keep up with an STI when it's slower than a regular WRX but I love your optimism...
Mr_Pie 4:03PM (11/25/2008)
i think that 2.0 turbo would give it more character
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Chase 4:05PM (11/25/2008)
In case you were in the midst of doing a direct pound to dollar conversion, the R32 sells for £24.5k in the UK. If it comes to the US, it will be less than $35k.
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Mobius_1 4:07PM (11/25/2008)
Lighter, cheaper, just as fast, more economical. What's not to like???
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drunkenpublicness 4:07PM (11/25/2008)
As a current and happy GTI owner, note to VW, "I'm ready to trade up".
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viks 5:11PM (11/25/2008)
Same here....MkV GTI owner....
Quentin 10:52PM (11/25/2008)
Ditto on that. I love my GTI, but the Scirocco is amazing enough to send it packing.