Officially Official: Volkswagen Scirocco R

Click above for a high-res gallery of the VW Scirocco R

Okay, so we were wrong about the venue. This weekend, against the backdrop of the Nürburgring 24, Volkswagen will unveil the 265-horsepower Scirocco R to the public. The specs are unchanged from what we reported last night. The Scirocco shares its 265-horsepower/350 Nm (258 lb-ft) 2.0L turbo four with the Audi S3, but unlike the latter, the VW is a front-driver. Drivers pick gears via either a 6-speed stick or DSG, and the VW Scirocco R gets the XDS electronic differential featured in the new GTI. On the tarmac, the Scirocco R makes the run from zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 6.5 seconds with the manual gearbox. (Shave off another tenth with the DSG.) Outside, the bodywork apes that of the Scirocco GT24 racer, five of which will be competing in the 24-hour enduro at the Nordschleife. A meaner face, larger roof spoiler, dual exhaust outlets, 18-inch "Talladega" wheels, and the requisite badging visually separate the Scirocco R from its more sedate-looking siblings. Have a closer look in the hi-res gallery below.


View 6 Photos


[Source: Volkswagen]
PRESS RELEASE:

The new Scirocco R – From the race track to the road
Sports car has international debut at the Nürburgring

Wolfsburg / Nürburg, 20 May 2009 - There could not be a better time or place for a world premiere: parallel to the start of the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring, Volkswagen is presenting the new Scirocco R for the first time anywhere. A sports car without compromise and a race track that demands everything of the driver will be meeting together this weekend.

Approximately one year after the market launch of the third Scirocco generation, Volkswagen is presenting the most powerful series built Scirocco ever made at the Nürburgring. Its charged four-cylinder 2.0 l TSI is impressive with an output of 195 kW / 265 PS and 350 Newton metres of torque – the dynamic effect is just as striking as the running gear which provides optimal traction characteristics thanks to, amongst other things, the new front axle differential lock XDS.

The design of the Scirocco R is largely based on the Scirocco GT24, which was designed for motor sports: there are large air intake openings in the front bumper which the engineers used to achieve optimal cooling for the engine and the brakes, and an integrated front spoiler as well as the bi-xenon headlights. At the rear end, the roof edge spoiler, which is much larger than on the standard model, a striking shining black diffuser and the chrome tailpipes of the dual exhaust system dominate the design. The side view of the vehicle is characterised by the powerful sill panels as well as the specially-designed 18" alloy wheels "Talladega".

Volkswagen will demonstrate the potential of the new Scirocco R during the 24- hour race with this racing version. With a total of five Sciroccos, driver teams including Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, member of the Volkswagen board of management for technical development, the rally world champion Carlos Sainz as well as this year's Dakar winner Giniel de Villiers, will be at the start line.

Note: Comprehensive information on the 24-hour race can be found at www.volkswagen-motorsport.info.

Share This Photo X