VW has cachet early Beetle owners could only dream about but it's lost its fun factor. Its GTI and R cars are entertaining drives, but they hardly look the part.
Hence the Scirocco, a funky three-door hatch to attract younger buyers and sex up VW's too-staid image. It'll be launched in South Africa in a week or so with a two-litre engine and the 1.4 will follow in August.
What's new? The body, for starters. Yes, it's loosely based on Golf underpinnings, but it's 40mm longer and 51mm wider. Significantly, it's also 97mm lower and has a wider track - by 35mm at the front and 59mm at the rear.
Then there's that swoopy skin, the fat haunches beneath the narrower cabin, the low roofline emphasised by the narrow side windows; the width by that new face.
The two-litre turbo engine isn't new, neither is this 1.4-litre supercharged turbo, although it debuts the seven-speed DSG transmission. In fact the Scirocco may steal buyers from the upcoming five-door Golf GTI - the new Golf will also be launched in SA in April.
This is an impressive vehicle, not just for its looks but also for the blend of rapid performance and everyday usability.
Sure, the low roof will klap the odd cranium and although the two rear pews are roomier than expected, the narrow windows and low ceiling mean they're best used as occasional seating.
However, singles or couples seeking a sexy-looking European hatch with everyday comfort will struggle to do better at the price.
Nice cabin, too, with supportive seats and the occasional design flourish that suits this car.
The 1.4-litre engine sounds innocuous while cruising but go hard and the way the supercharger spools up then segues to the turbo is breathtakingly effective.
The 240Nm torque peak is on tap anywhere from 1500-4500rpm, punching the car through corners with verve you'd expect only from a bigger engine, before delivering 118kW peak power at 5800rpm.
FRUGAL COMMUTER
That broad spread of urge is delivered without stress thanks to the seven-speed transmission, which changes up at 6400rpm in sport mode.
The suspension is basic Golf but the car's low, wide stance effectively controls roll and, although understeer does surface, is delightfully controllable on the throttle.
The best bit is that the nimble handling doesn't compromise compliance, so the Scirocco is well controlled over lumpier road surfaces.
TAD HEAVIER TWO-LITRE
Meanwhile the soon-to-arrive (in Ireland, at least), more powerful two-litre turbo is a tad heavier and more thirsty and, though it's quicker in 0-100 terms, the peakier power delivery may pall.
On challenging roads, the car is hottish hatchback fun when you want it, frugal commuting when you don't, in a head-turning package that's also well-priced.
However the sexy stance delivers a low roof that limits rear headroom, renders clambering aboard a tad awkward and makes for too high a boot lip if you're carrying heavy luggage. Irish Independent