2010 Volkswagen Scirocco R - Car News

This weekend’s running of the 24-hour endurance race at the legendary Nürburgring is not just playing host to racing dreams, but also to the launch of the Volkswagen Scirocco R. The third and latest generation of the VW Scirocco is not for the U.S., but it's still fun to keep tabs on, especially since the R gives us a glimpse of the Golf R that should arrive on our shores later this year.

Not the Race Car, but It’s Close

Five Sciroccos will race at the Ring under the Scirocco GT24 moniker; three of them are powered by a 315-hp TSI engine, while the other two use a 300-hp version fueled by compressed natural gas. The street Scirocco R that Europeans will be able to buy is only slightly less powerful than the ‘Rocco racers: Using a high-powered version of the 2.0-liter turbo four that’s ubiquitous across the VW Group’s lineup, it makes 265 hp at 6000 rpm and a whopping 258 lb-ft of torque at 2500–5000 rpm. In this spec, it is most closely related to the unit offered in the Euro-only Audi S3. Fuel economy is rated at a modest 28 mpg in the European cycle (29 with the six-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission). The manual-equipped Scirocco reaches 62 mph in a claimed 6.5 seconds (6.4 with DSG). Top speed is governed at 155 mph.

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2011 Volkswagen Touareg - Spied

The Volkswagen Touareg and its Porsche Cayenne sibling serve as the perfect example for the synergies between VW and Porsche. Porsche developed both SUVs, while VW builds them at its Bratislava, Slovenia, plant. Porsche fits V-8 engines into the SUVs’ bodies in its Leipzig, Germany, facility, while the V-6 engines of the entry Cayennes are fitted at VW’s plant in Slovakia. The partnership has worked well: the Cayenne has served Porsche's existing customer base while bringing new buyers to the brand, and the Touareg bolstered VW's claim that it is a premium carmaker more convincingly than the ill-fated Phaeton.

To the latter point, the Touareg has always impressed us with its mountain-goat-like off-road capability and superbly finished interior. Where it falls short of the competition, however, is in seating capacity—unlike some others in its class, it is just a five-seater—and its heft. It is simply too heavy, with curb weights well into the 5000-pound range.

With the next-generation Touareg, spied here, VW aims to address both shortcomings. A VW source hints at available third-row seating, but we advise you not to sell your Suburban yet, since, as in most SUVs of this type, it will be mostly symbolic in nature.

Keep Reading: 2011 Volkswagen Touareg - Spied

2009 Volkswagen Scirocco R unveiled with 265-hp

Last month, Volkswagen announced that it will be returning to the 24-Hour Race at the Nurburgring with the 300-hp Scirocco GT24-CNG. Today, the German automaker announced something we’ve all been waiting for a very long time. At the 24-Hour Race at the Nurburgring, Volkswagen will hold the world-premiere of the new 2009 Volkswagen Scirocco R.

Power comes from a 2.0 TSI 4-cylinder engine making 265-hp with a maximum torque of 258 lb-ft.

Design of the 2009 Scirocco R is based on the Scirocco GT24, which made its Nurburgring debut last year. Pricing and availability details will be announced at a later date; however, don’t expect it to come to the United States.

2009 Volkswagen Scirocco R:

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.

Volkswagen reveals Golf GTI and Polo concepts at Worthersee 2009

The 2010 Volkswagen Golf GTI and the new 2010 Polo are the latest additions to the Volkswagen lineup. At this year’s 2009 Wörthersee event, Volkswagen is celebrating the two new additions with two new concepts of each model.

The Golf GTI Wörthersee 09 concept features a firey-red color called “Firespark Metallic” and 19-inch high-gloss black alloy wheels. Other details include an entirely new smoked LED taillight design, nappa leather trim seats and graphics that bring out the GTI’s character.

The Polo Wörthersee 09 concept shows a sporty version of new Polo hinting at a future Polo GT, Polo G40 or the Polo GTI. Power for the Polo Wörthersee 09 comes from a 1.4L MPI engine that makes 83-hp.

Click through for the press release for more details.

Volkswagen Golf GTI Wörthersee 09:

Volkswagen Polo Wörthersee 09:

Press Release:

Dual World Premiere at Wörthersee:
Volkswagen presents concepts of the Golf GTI and new Polo

Golf GTI “Wörthersee 09″: Fire-red play-mobile with high-end interior

Polo “Wörthersee 09″: First look at potential sport versions

20 May 2009 - The Golf GTI and the new Polo are Volkswagen highlights this spring. Both are launching right now, and both are successors to absolute bestsellers. Both are prime examples of affordable automotive dreams. The GTI for sure, because it is the icon among compact sports cars. And the Polo, because it is small but not meager. That is why these cars have what is possibly the biggest active fan club in the world. Once a year they meet at Wörthersee. This time Volkswagen has brought along two sensational concept cars of the new bestsellers: special “Wörthersee 09″ editions of the Golf GTI and Polo.

Golf GTI “Wörthersee 09″: Maxed out for fan expectations

It is fire-red and a real eyecatcher. Inside and out, the Golf GTI “Wörthersee 09″ combines charming and unique visual looks with an even higher level of performance - it embodies precisely those elements that have always excited genuine GTI fans. Consider the exterior paint, for example. It shimmers in the special glowing red color “Firespark Metallic”, which is repeated as a fine trim line on the high-gloss black 19-inch alloy spoke wheels and in the classic GTI stripes of the radiator grille screen. Other very distinctive body details: an entirely new smoked LED taillight design; its unmistakable graphic design from the rear adds to the Golf GTI concept car’s independent character.

Full of style, the interior of the two-door GTI is inviting too. Initial eyecatchers: high-end aluminum tread plates with “GTI Wörthersee 09″ signature. The next special feature: trim in brushed aluminum and glossy black painted frames around the air vents. The floor mats have red borders as well. All of this makes an exceptionally refined impression and calls attention to the sporty talent of the legendary “GTI” even more.

The newly designed sport comfort seats with their integrated head restraints are an absolute interior highlight. They excite with innovative cover materials and a fresh color composition. This includes black nappa for the outer surfaces and flash red nappa for the seat side supports, bordered by light “Berry White” leather piping. The seat center panels are made of Hexagon; one feature of this high-tech material, which is so pleasant to the touch: its exceptional breathing properties.

GTI drivers in particular know that form follows function. The “Wörthersee 09″ Edition not only pleases with its tasteful style, it was also intensified technically in the direction of performance. The lowered sport chassis enables maximum curve speeds. And the acoustics is not short-changed either: the new sport exhaust system provides for an extra measure of dynamic sound. This will be music to the ears of genuine GTI fans.

When it comes to the turbo engine, the GTI “Wörthersee 09″ relies on the new 2.0-liter TSI with 155 kW / 210 PS. This gives the concept car a top speed of 238 km/h and 6.9 second acceleration to 100 km/h.

Polo “Wörthersee 09″: Sporty vision in red and black

In Austria, Volkswagen is already presenting a study that is based on the new Polo - the “Wörthersee 09″ concept car. Visually, this study offers an initial impression of how a sport version of the new compact might look. It should be noted that it was always part of the successful model series as the Polo GT, Polo G40 or Polo GTI. From a purely technical perspective, the display piece is based on the 1.4-liter MPI version engine with 63 kW / 86 PS. Its unique aspects are to be found in the details:

Just like the Golf GTI Edition, this Polo stands out with its extroverted “Flash Red” body color. In addition, two black rally stripes command attention; they extend over the front end, the roof and back to the rear. The sporty, generously sized alloy wheels are the last detail. The black 18-inchers in “Budapest” styling are making their appearance with polished spokes; they generously fill out the wheel housings of the lowered chassis of the new bestseller - more than 13,000 orders have been received, even before its market launch. The black versus red contrast can be seen as a defining, excitement generating theme. The radiator grille screen, mirror caps, backdrop of the headlights and insert in the lower bumper known as the “buckle” all offer a dark contrast. And the sport exhaust system pleases with its optimized sound.

Premium black also characterizes the interior. It takes a path from the roofliner over the air vents - each with a high-gloss finish - the steering wheel accents and radio panel down to the very distinctive front seats. They are made of very high-end materials. Black nappa leather trims the outer surfaces and the center seat panels where they are offset by horizontal black stripes in the microfiber “San Remo”. The seat’s lateral supports have an arc-shaped striped design which - viewed from outside to inside - is composed of nappa leather, flash-red nappa leather piping, the white leather “Berry White” and black leather. The aluminum tread plates are also a custom feature. Similar to the Golf GTI concept car, they bear the signature “Polo Wörthersee 09″. Red seams also enhance the leatherwork on the parking brake handle, gearshift grip, steering wheel and door trim.

Perfection in the details: new GTI products from Volkswagen Accessories

Volkswagen Accessories will also be astonishing visitors with attractive new products on the occasion of the GTI Meet at Wörthersee. Two innovations stand out: the “Bobsy G2-3 pro GTI-Design” child seat - covered with the original material of the GTI seats (”Jacky” pattern) - gives fans of the sports car icon the option of taking their progeny along with them in the GTI, not only safely but in genuine style. Thanks to its adjustable-width seat cushion and sleeping support, it is ideal for children between three and twelve years old (15 to 36 kilogram body weight). The seatbelt is routed snugly to the body and offers optimal protection. The special head section, lateral support panels that extend far forward and full coverage of the shoulder area guarantee a high level of comfort and safety in case of a side crash.

Also new is the GTI cell phone. The SonyEricsson T700 GTI Edition cell phone is a perfect match for the legendary model from Wolfsburg when it comes to sportiness and exclusivity. Along with the display logo and brushed aluminum surface, all menuing is styled after GTI design. There is even a special GTI sound ringtone. And the integrated 3.2 megapixel camera with 3X digital zoom is ideal for capturing the most beautiful images of the GTI-Meet at Wörthersee for eternity on its 25-MB memory card.