Great news for fans of the Volkswagen Scirocco with confirmation today that the range-topping R version will launch in Australia early next year. Ahead of its local launch, the Scirocco R will be on display at this year’s Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne (1-10 July).
Proving that you have to give a little to get a little, Volkswagen will make space in its Australian product range by removing the three-door Golf R from its line up. While pricing details are yet to be confirmed, we can probably expect the front-wheel drive only Scirocco R to slot in under the $50K bracket. Currently the Golf R 3dr is priced from $48,490.
The Scirocco R uses the same 2.0 litre turbocharged motor found in the Golf R. It’s worth noting that the Scirocco R is more than 100kg lighter than the Golf R and its handling is said to offer a few more thrills as a result. In Euro markets the Scirocco R is rated at 195kW, however, we anticipate our warm climate will see that spec reduced to 188kW, as is the case with the Golf R and Audi S3.
Availability of the all-wheel drive Golf R 5dr will remain unaffected by the introduction of the curvaceous Scirocco.
We’re massive fans of the Scirocco here at AUSmotive and while we welcome this news with great anticipation we do wonder, three years after the Scirocco first launched overseas, if it’s all a bit too late? We’d love to hear what you think.
[Source: Drive.com.au | Thanks to Al for the tip]
UPDATE: Volkswagen has set up a web portal allowing people to register their interest in the Scirocco R.
Volkswagen Scirocco R – Tech specs*
Engine type: 4-cyl. gasoline (TSI), 1,984 cm3
Max. power at speed (rpm): 195 kW / 265 PS at 6,000 rpm
Max. torque at speed (rpm): 350 Nm starting at 2,500 rpm
0-100 km/h: 6.5 s / 6.4 s**
Top speed: 250 km/h
Fuel consumption: 8.3 l/100 km / 8.2 l/100 km**
Length: 4,264 mm
Width: 1,810 mm
Height: 1,394 mm
Kerb weight: 1,333 kg / 1,353 kg**
Transmission: 6+R, manual / 6+R, DSG**
Drive axle: Front axle
Tires: 235/40 R 18
*European market specifications
**Indicates DSG transmission
12 replies on “CONFIRMED: Scirocco R coming to Australia”
Now this is very good news. Where do i sign up for one?
No AWD no care.
gone like the wind
Well it’s good to see Volkswagen has finally realised what a great car the Scirocco is, but it’s about 2 years too late. As much as I love the look, it’s getting a little dated now. Seriously, NZ has been selling them for a while now, and so should of Australia. I even looked at importing one from there at one stage. Problem is, there talk of a new scirocco coming out in next 12-18 months so it’s probably worth waiting now I reckon.
Theres a lot of competition in the hot hatch market now, so here’s hoping Volkswagen Australia price this one right !
That is shit I would rather a 3 door golf r then a funny looking golf gti.
Awd is the reason the r cost more without it its just an over priced gti u can mod the gti to the same specs for less!
why are the 0-100k figures slower than the Golf ‘R’ ?
The reason is, it doesn’t have awd…
if this had awd i would buy it in a heart beat since it doesn’t i want the 3dr golf r back!
I just wish it was available a couple of years ago when I was ordering a new car.
I certainly do not think it is too late, I work for a Volkswagen Dealership and have already taken 4 pre-orders for the vehicle.
The unfortunate truth is that in Australia we are allways at least 1- 2 years behind our European friends, whats another year.
Might be a short burt of interest but only the release and time will tell.
Good to hear, thanks for the feedback.
[…] is keen to remind us the Scirocco R is finally headed for Australia. We brought you this news back in April, but now VW is drip feeding some basic specs prior to the car making its local debut at the […]
FWD is why it’s 0-100 is 6.5 seconds. Pretty poor for a car with this much power. The WRX has almost identical power output, is heavier, yet does 0-100 in 5.3 seconds. That’s 1.2 seconds quicker = a fair bit. If they’d done AWD that would’ve been much better. However, Volkswagen AWD is not in the same league as Subaru / Mitsubishi / Nissan GTR. On the upside, it looks very nice…