By Sam Hardy
30th August 2006
Auto Express wrote: The Golf-based replacement for the firm's much loved coupé of the Seventies and Eighties is a concept for now, but a production version is set to whip up a storm in 2008.
Under the bonnet is a new 210bhp TSI motor, which uses a supercharger and a turbocharger to provide punchy performance across the rev range
Called the Iroc, it will be the star of VW's stand at next month's Paris Motor Show. With dramatic styling and Viper Green paintwork - an original Scirocco colour - it's sure to attract a big crowd. And that's something the roadgoing car will do, too, as it's unlikely to be changed much from the machine you see here.
Showing an all-new face, the Iroc's front end is dominated by a huge, hexagonal, aluminium grille with a honeycomb air intake. Two extra ducts on the edges of the jutting splitter help cool the front brakes, while deep-set, projector-style xenon headlights finish the look off.
Equally distinctive is the Iroc's profile. Unlike the original Scirocco, the newcomer gets a short bonnet and long roof, with a steeply sloping tailgate. As a result, it's more of a sporting hatch than a traditional coupé - but this does mean there's room for four adults inside and 300 litres of load space, which is boosted further by folding rear seats.
Other styling details include special dish-type alloy wheels, muscular shoulders and a carbon roof, emphasising how the sharp front pillars flow into the integrated boot spoiler. Trademark chunky C-pillars plus neat tail-lights and more carbon for the lower bumper complete the design at the rear.
Inside, the driver and passenger sit on bucket seats, while the dash features twin dials with 3D digital displays backlit in blue. The door releases and grab handles mirror the front grille, and the lever for the twin-clutch DSG gearbox lies flat to the centre console, only popping up when the engine is started.
Under the bonnet is a new 210bhp TSI motor, which uses a supercharger and a turbocharger to provide punchy performance across the rev range. VW says a whole range of TSI units, kicking off with an entry-level 150bhp version, will be available on the production car.
And the Iroc should be great to drive, with lots of grip and agility thanks to a wider track than the Golf. There will be a choice of front and four-wheel drive, too. The production car will be revealed in a year's time, with prices starting at £20,000 when sales start early in 2008.
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