Bologna show: Scirocco gets serious

VOLKSWAGEN chose last week's Bologna motor show to show off the Scirocco Studie R concept car.

Taking its inspiration from the Scirocco GT24 racing car revealed last month, the Studie R serves as a taster to the expected upcoming R version of the Golf-based four-seater coupe that has not been given the green light for Australian sales.

If Volkswagen clears the path for the Studie R to go into production, it will probably not appear before 2010.

Whether it ends up being the rumoured R20T-series Scirocco that is thought to be in development – as a stablemate to the established Golf R32, Passat R36 and Touareg R50 – remains to be seen.

Under the bonnet is a tuned and worked version of Volkswagen’s 2.0-litre TFSI turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, delivering almost 200kW of power.

Closely related to the unit found in the Audi S3, it is not known whether the production vehicle would also use the Haldex all-wheel drive system, or if the hottest Scirocco will retain a front-wheel drive layout.

Besides the bodykit and massive roof-mounted rear spoiler, the Studie R boasts firmer and lowered suspension, 19-inch triple-spoke alloy wheels and a set of oval-section sports exhaust outlets.

Inside there are Recaro sports racing seats, carbon-fibre trimmings and coloured stitching on the steering wheel.

The white paintwork features red and white stripes with a ‘Bolognia 08’ script down the side flanks, in apparent lip service to the Italian motor show the Studie R debuted at.

According to Volkswagen Australia spokesman Karl Gehling, there is still no word as to if or when we will ever see the Scirocco in any form - but it is still very much on the company wish list.

Reports suggest that cost constraints and limited availability are hampering the Scirocco’s case for the Australian market.

Read more:

First look: GT24 treatment graces Scirocco

Scirocco no Oz shoe-in

Geneva show: VW goes troppo with Scirocco