Scirocco packs in extra power

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), May 22, 2009

Byline: STEVE HUGHES

V O L K S WAG E has revealed a new highpowered version of its Scirocco, which will be the fastest-ever when it storms in here towards the end of the year.

Using a reworked twolitre turbocharged engine, it gains a significant power hike of 65bhp, which is more than the entire output of some superminis.

This takes the total generated to a new high of 265bhp, with a significant rise in torque over that of the standard Scirocco's 2.0-litre TSI engine.

It enables the Scirocco R to go like the wind with acceleration to 60mph in 6.4 seconds and a top speed limited to 155mph.

Drive is channeled through the front wheels via a six-speed manual or DSG gearbox, and there is the same traction control system as that of the new Golf GTI plus adaptive chassis control.

This allows the driver to select normal, comfort or sport to optimise the suspension, steering and accelerator settings.

The braking system has also uprated with larger discs and finished in gloss black.

The mechanical enhancements joined by a muscular appearance with a new front bumper LED running lights, trio of deep airdams plus Xenon framing a new gloss grille element, set into which a prominent R badge.

The mirrors are capped in black, while the rubbing strips that run down the standard Scirocco have been replaced by body-coloured side skirts.

The rear of the car gets smoked light lenses and a new spoiler together with a prominent diffuser finished in gloss black mounted between a pair of new oval tailpipes. The Scirocco badge and engine designation are deleted in favour of the Volkswagen badge and a single 'R' logo.

Completing the changes are a set of 18-inch five-spoke wheels with 19-inch versions available as an option.

Prices announced in summer..