Volkswagen has made subtle changes to the Scirocco’s appearance, enhancing its muscularity without having to make alterations to the metalwork, a task presumably made easier by the fact that it must have known during development of the cooking model that it was later going to produce a hot variant. To our eyes it’s a successful look but one that will not be hard to replicate for owners of lesser Sciroccos.
The R sits lower and wider than standard but the difference is in springs and wheels; as with the body, the metalwork of the front MacPherson struts and multi-link rear suspension is unchanged.
Power comes from the VW Group’s 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, in what is widely known as ‘S3’ form. It’s the EA113 engine from the Mk5 Golf GTI rather than the newer EA888 engine that powers the Mk6 GTI. With its strong iron block, this engine is used in all of the group’s 2.0-litre turbo cars producing this level of power.
The Scirocco R puts 261bhp and 258lb ft through its front wheels, and does without a mechanical limited-slip differential, instead using VW’s XDS electronic diff. Transmission is optionally by DSG dual-clutch ’box or, as standard and tested here, a six-speed manual.
