Wind of Change
We all know people like this. They are well-qualified, have good jobs, dress impeccably, have all the right accessories and know all the cool places to be. But do you want to hang out with them? Well, err, it's like, I mean . . . . maybe...
The 1.4 engine makes 122 bhp, with a decent 200Nm of torque when you boot the pedal, and the not-too-lardy 1.27 tonne weight bodes well too. But that 7-speed gearbox is build for frugality, not poke; you are likely in 5th gear by the time you are a couple of hundred metres from the lights. You can up the action by going manual using the tasty leather/chrome shift knob, but you shouldn't have to in a looker of a car like this.
Luckily, when you get to a corner the smile comes back - for a Class A car (usually aimed at the sensible) the Scirocco goes round corners like a beauty. It has wonderfully balanced handling, feels glued to the road even over lumpy surfaces, and steers with a minimum of body roll. Broad track, McPherson struts up front and multi-link suspension at the rear help the feeling of confidence. But despite the road-glue handling and the low-slung seating position it isn't noisy. VW's body and chassis engineers deserve a design medal.
VW say the Scirocco 1.4 TSI can get to 100kph in 9.7 sec, and can edge up to 200kph, which seem fair if not exactly hot-hatch territory. Rubber-wise, the car was shod with Zero the Hero Pirellis, sitting on sweet 18-inch five-spoke alloys, and although we tried with the traction control switched off, they never broke grip under any conditions.
Credits: Story and Photos by Jeremy Torr
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