The VW Scirocco has been in production since 1974, with the most recent iteration of the three-door coupe released in 2008. Before 1992 though, the Scirocco was produced by Karmann, another German car manufacturer. When production stopped, the Volkswagen Group stepped in to continue on with the third-generation Scirocco.  In keeping with VW’s naming tradition at the time of using prominent winds, the Scirocco is named after the Sirocco wind, one of the winds of the Mediterranean. The VW Scirocco is not available in North America despite being suitable for the US market because there’s too wide a gap between the US dollar and Euro to rake in any real profit.

Pros

When the Scirocco was resurrected,  VW retained the striking looks, strong performance, and sporty handling that the first two generations the car were so well-known for, standing out thanks to an aggressive front end and a distinctive profile. The Scirocco is also available with both petrol and diesel engine options. If you’re after style complemented by substance, the Scirocco is definitely a good option to consider.

Good pulling power is to be expected, with 140bhp diesel engine getting the car from 0-62mph in 9.3 seconds and the 170bhp variant managing this feat with 8.1 seconds. While it’s not surprising for a small car to move so well, the Scirocco also has more power than usual under its tiny shell. As for the petrol engines, a 160bhp engine clocks in at 8.0 seconds while a 122bhp engine recorded a 9.7-second finish for the 0-62mph test. Handling is also superb, with minimal overhangs. Body rolls are barely felt in bends thanks to a low centre of gravity and the Scirocco offers excellent traction. All controls are precise and steering features strong feedback making this coupe very enjoyable to drive.

A standard Scirocco is also quite well-equipped, fitted with a leather gear lever and steering wheel, ESP stability control, semi-automatic air conditioning, a rear spoiler, adjustable front sports seats, an alarm, automatic lights, heated and electrically adjustable door mirrors, rain sensitive wipers, 50/50 split folding seats at the back, a six-disc CD changer, a trip computer, and 17-inch alloy wheels.

While not exactly affordable the Scirocco is also not expensive to run. All engines available offer decent economy, but the best would be the diesel engines. VW service rates can also be steep but long intervals between sessions will help make costs more manageable.

Cons

The VW Scirocco is comfortable despite being a four-seater with sculpted seats at the back. There’s also a lot of legroom but the sloping roof takes away headroom so taller passengers may have a bit of trouble fitting their heads in.

Similarly, there’s a lot of luggage room at the boot but the way it is designed gives you something more of a box that you can only access from the top. This makes loading more difficult most especially if you are bringing in something heavy since you have to lift more than what you would normally do with other cars.

Insurance rates are quite steep with a car of this kind.

The Volkswagen Scirocco or VW Scirocco was built in the 1970s to replace the Karmann Ghia coupe. The type of internal build it showcased then was a Type 53, with an A1 chassis to cut on production costs. Giorgetto Giugiaro  introduced a sportier drive to the VW Scirocco and gave it a sleeker edge over the Jetta or Golf. The model was introduced into the European market in 1974, and to North American customers in the following year. The USA models had four speed manual transitions, but in 1979 the  vehicle’s model year included 5-speed manual transmissions.

In 1982, Europe witnessed the Mark 2 version of the Volkswage Scirocco. Changes in this model included the removal of the “scirocco” on the rear hatch, a brake light switch on the pedal, a variation of the brake master cylinder, and a new design for the air conditioned compressor. As the years progressed, more redesigns and returns were included, such as the two windshield wipers that weren’t seen in the 1976 versions, 90 hp torque, tear-drop shaped wheel slots, a full body skirt, and a 16-valve model driven in Canada and the United States. Sales for this vehicle were maintained up to 1992.