24.09.2008
Before pitching the Scirocco GT against its obvious two-door rivals (see First Look next week for a triple test against Audi’s TT 2.0-litre T FSI and BMW’s 125i Coupe M Sport) we thought it would be fascinating to first compare the long awaited coupe with perhaps its closest rival of all, the Golf GTI.
It’s a comparison made all the more relevant, not to mention poignant, now that the much lauded Mk V GTI has ceased production.
Read the FULL ARTICLE
Then let us know what you think.
“When the last Scirocco was around the MkII Golf GTI was one of the coolest and most credible drivers’ cars on the road, which resulted in the Scirocco being largely overlooked. But what about this time around? Is the Scirocco destined for success, or will the Golf GTI remain the sporty VW of choice?”
About Eds
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39 Comments
jem
September 24, 2008Despite being to yung to remeber either the MKII GTi or original Scirocco, I still harbour a dislike for the new coupe. The Golf has far more appeal, and it manages to appeal to bith first time GTi customers as well as the people who lved the original. The Scircco is just a bit to TT-ish for me.
jem
September 24, 2008Despite being to yung to remeber either the MKII GTi or original Scirocco, I still harbour a dislike for the new coupe. The Golf has far more appeal, and it manages to appeal to bith first time GTi customers as well as the people who lved the original. The Scircco is just a bit to TT-ish for me.
jem
September 24, 2008Despite being to yung to remeber either the MKII GTi or original Scirocco, I still harbour a dislike for the new coupe. The Golf has far more appeal, and it manages to appeal to bith first time GTi customers as well as the people who lved the original. The Scircco is just a bit to TT-ish for me.
Marty
September 24, 2008Love the new Silverstone laps with the telemetry. Absolutely top stuff, this is exactly the kind of thing I’m interested in seeing.
Marty
September 24, 2008Love the new Silverstone laps with the telemetry. Absolutely top stuff, this is exactly the kind of thing I’m interested in seeing.
Marty
September 24, 2008Love the new Silverstone laps with the telemetry. Absolutely top stuff, this is exactly the kind of thing I’m interested in seeing.
Jorge Amorim
September 24, 2008great you could include the 125i
I’m very curious about that car as it may be a very interesting but overlooked option!
cheers
Jorge Amorim
September 24, 2008great you could include the 125i
I’m very curious about that car as it may be a very interesting but overlooked option!
cheers
Jorge Amorim
September 24, 2008great you could include the 125i
I’m very curious about that car as it may be a very interesting but overlooked option!
cheers
tribeca
September 24, 2008First thing that strikes me is how bad black wheels look on a white Golf…not the most in depth comment but DAMN…way to ruin a otherwise nice car.
tribeca
September 24, 2008First thing that strikes me is how bad black wheels look on a white Golf…not the most in depth comment but DAMN…way to ruin a otherwise nice car.
tribeca
September 24, 2008First thing that strikes me is how bad black wheels look on a white Golf…not the most in depth comment but DAMN…way to ruin a otherwise nice car.
Steve (DR)
September 25, 2008I am old enough to have been in the market for a Mk2 Golf in 1984 and I arranged several test-drives of Sciroccos at the time. I eventually bought the Golf (a silver one with the pirelli wheels). VW raised the bar with its advertising of the Golf during this period, capturing the whole aspirational ‘yuppie’ image and the Scirocco had none of this. Being a young 20-something climbing the career ladder this was important to me.
I kept my Golf for 4 years, gradually modifying it by GTi Engineering, BR Motorsport and eventually Machtech Tuning. Ahh, those were the days. It was a very special car and I never looked back and thought the Scirocco would have been a better choice.
The new Scirocco though is a little different. The Golf has become such a cliche, which to some people will rule it out, but the Scirocco provides most of the virtues of the Golf and still enables you to retain your own identity.
I reckon it stands a better chance this time of success.
Steve (DR)
September 25, 2008I am old enough to have been in the market for a Mk2 Golf in 1984 and I arranged several test-drives of Sciroccos at the time. I eventually bought the Golf (a silver one with the pirelli wheels). VW raised the bar with its advertising of the Golf during this period, capturing the whole aspirational ‘yuppie’ image and the Scirocco had none of this. Being a young 20-something climbing the career ladder this was important to me.
I kept my Golf for 4 years, gradually modifying it by GTi Engineering, BR Motorsport and eventually Machtech Tuning. Ahh, those were the days. It was a very special car and I never looked back and thought the Scirocco would have been a better choice.
The new Scirocco though is a little different. The Golf has become such a cliche, which to some people will rule it out, but the Scirocco provides most of the virtues of the Golf and still enables you to retain your own identity.
I reckon it stands a better chance this time of success.
Steve (DR)
September 25, 2008I am old enough to have been in the market for a Mk2 Golf in 1984 and I arranged several test-drives of Sciroccos at the time. I eventually bought the Golf (a silver one with the pirelli wheels). VW raised the bar with its advertising of the Golf during this period, capturing the whole aspirational ‘yuppie’ image and the Scirocco had none of this. Being a young 20-something climbing the career ladder this was important to me.
I kept my Golf for 4 years, gradually modifying it by GTi Engineering, BR Motorsport and eventually Machtech Tuning. Ahh, those were the days. It was a very special car and I never looked back and thought the Scirocco would have been a better choice.
The new Scirocco though is a little different. The Golf has become such a cliche, which to some people will rule it out, but the Scirocco provides most of the virtues of the Golf and still enables you to retain your own identity.
I reckon it stands a better chance this time of success.
clubsport
September 25, 2008Similar to Steve, I did the whole golf mk1,2 (8+16V), corrado 1.8/vr6 thing…drove a few Scirocco’s but it was never as aspirational as the Golf Gti….I see this new Scirocco as much as a Corrado replacement….yet I am not sure if I actually like it…In the metal, I really cannot decide if it actually works, rear end looks like a ’92 civic Vti ( especially in that blue)…I have held back on offers of test drives up to now as I wanted to see what they would do with the Golf V1….It appears to have a better engine (detuned Ed30/S3 lump)and from the photos on the net, looks better!….Not sure if the Scirocco can make it as an interim option…think i will wait for the V1 !
clubsport
September 25, 2008Similar to Steve, I did the whole golf mk1,2 (8+16V), corrado 1.8/vr6 thing…drove a few Scirocco’s but it was never as aspirational as the Golf Gti….I see this new Scirocco as much as a Corrado replacement….yet I am not sure if I actually like it…In the metal, I really cannot decide if it actually works, rear end looks like a ’92 civic Vti ( especially in that blue)…I have held back on offers of test drives up to now as I wanted to see what they would do with the Golf V1….It appears to have a better engine (detuned Ed30/S3 lump)and from the photos on the net, looks better!….Not sure if the Scirocco can make it as an interim option…think i will wait for the V1 !
clubsport
September 25, 2008Similar to Steve, I did the whole golf mk1,2 (8+16V), corrado 1.8/vr6 thing…drove a few Scirocco’s but it was never as aspirational as the Golf Gti….I see this new Scirocco as much as a Corrado replacement….yet I am not sure if I actually like it…In the metal, I really cannot decide if it actually works, rear end looks like a ’92 civic Vti ( especially in that blue)…I have held back on offers of test drives up to now as I wanted to see what they would do with the Golf V1….It appears to have a better engine (detuned Ed30/S3 lump)and from the photos on the net, looks better!….Not sure if the Scirocco can make it as an interim option…think i will wait for the V1 !
Francisco
September 26, 2008Great telemetry movie. They are getting better every time.
What I take home from this, is that the Scirocco is tauter to drive beacuase of its dampers and wider track but somehow is hampered more by its ever-present-ESP. Such a shame, the chassis would deliver more thrills, if VW allowed it.
I drive a VW GTI mk2 16V as a Nurburgring track car. Its an old bloke but still delivers the thrills unmolested.
Francisco
September 26, 2008Great telemetry movie. They are getting better every time.
What I take home from this, is that the Scirocco is tauter to drive beacuase of its dampers and wider track but somehow is hampered more by its ever-present-ESP. Such a shame, the chassis would deliver more thrills, if VW allowed it.
I drive a VW GTI mk2 16V as a Nurburgring track car. Its an old bloke but still delivers the thrills unmolested.
Francisco
September 26, 2008Great telemetry movie. They are getting better every time.
What I take home from this, is that the Scirocco is tauter to drive beacuase of its dampers and wider track but somehow is hampered more by its ever-present-ESP. Such a shame, the chassis would deliver more thrills, if VW allowed it.
I drive a VW GTI mk2 16V as a Nurburgring track car. Its an old bloke but still delivers the thrills unmolested.
Paul Cardosi
September 28, 2008It would be nice to see a hot hatch shoot out including these two. My Edition 30 GTI was an extraordinary all rounder but suffered excessive and messy lateral movement at the limit in fast switchbacks relative to (an otherwise inferior) Megane 225. Another motoring mag stated the same thing and said that even the wider tracked Scirocco couldn’t match the chassis capabilities of the best hot hatches. For a new car it doesn’t move the game on enough to tempt me. The R26-R Megane (niche though it is and aesthetically challenging) makes me dribble.
Paul Cardosi
September 28, 2008It would be nice to see a hot hatch shoot out including these two. My Edition 30 GTI was an extraordinary all rounder but suffered excessive and messy lateral movement at the limit in fast switchbacks relative to (an otherwise inferior) Megane 225. Another motoring mag stated the same thing and said that even the wider tracked Scirocco couldn’t match the chassis capabilities of the best hot hatches. For a new car it doesn’t move the game on enough to tempt me. The R26-R Megane (niche though it is and aesthetically challenging) makes me dribble.
Paul Cardosi
September 28, 2008It would be nice to see a hot hatch shoot out including these two. My Edition 30 GTI was an extraordinary all rounder but suffered excessive and messy lateral movement at the limit in fast switchbacks relative to (an otherwise inferior) Megane 225. Another motoring mag stated the same thing and said that even the wider tracked Scirocco couldn’t match the chassis capabilities of the best hot hatches. For a new car it doesn’t move the game on enough to tempt me. The R26-R Megane (niche though it is and aesthetically challenging) makes me dribble.
Richard - DR
September 28, 2008I know what you mean about the Golf, and what ‘the other’ magazine said about the Scirocco. However, I don’t see the Scirocco as a hardcore hot hatch in the manner of a Megane 225. I’ve enjoyed the RS Megane whenever I’ve driven one, but I do find it a hard car to relax in when I’m knackered or simply not in the mood to use all its ability.
What makes the Scirocco stand out in my mind is that offers that bit more sharpness than the GTI without becoming too focussed on raw speed.
Before I sound like I’ve become an old fart, I should add that I’m with you all the way on the R26.R. It should be awesome!
Richard - DR
September 28, 2008I know what you mean about the Golf, and what ‘the other’ magazine said about the Scirocco. However, I don’t see the Scirocco as a hardcore hot hatch in the manner of a Megane 225. I’ve enjoyed the RS Megane whenever I’ve driven one, but I do find it a hard car to relax in when I’m knackered or simply not in the mood to use all its ability.
What makes the Scirocco stand out in my mind is that offers that bit more sharpness than the GTI without becoming too focussed on raw speed.
Before I sound like I’ve become an old fart, I should add that I’m with you all the way on the R26.R. It should be awesome!
Richard - DR
September 28, 2008I know what you mean about the Golf, and what ‘the other’ magazine said about the Scirocco. However, I don’t see the Scirocco as a hardcore hot hatch in the manner of a Megane 225. I’ve enjoyed the RS Megane whenever I’ve driven one, but I do find it a hard car to relax in when I’m knackered or simply not in the mood to use all its ability.
What makes the Scirocco stand out in my mind is that offers that bit more sharpness than the GTI without becoming too focussed on raw speed.
Before I sound like I’ve become an old fart, I should add that I’m with you all the way on the R26.R. It should be awesome!
Shoestring7
October 24, 2008Personally I can’t help thinking “3dr Audi A3″ when I look at the Scirocco.
Mrs SS7 has owned two mk2′s in the past, and I currently have a low miles mk3 vr6. Both mk1 and mk2 Scirocco’s used the mk1 Golf chassis. It was light, but had significant compromises in rhd from; the brakes were pretty useless and the driving position very Italianate. I also think that the public simply didn’t see the Scirocco’s as offering enough metal for the money compared to the Gti when the oily bits were identical. Unless there is a mechanical differentiation the current car will fail for the same reason.
SS7
Shoestring7
October 24, 2008Personally I can’t help thinking “3dr Audi A3″ when I look at the Scirocco.
Mrs SS7 has owned two mk2′s in the past, and I currently have a low miles mk3 vr6. Both mk1 and mk2 Scirocco’s used the mk1 Golf chassis. It was light, but had significant compromises in rhd from; the brakes were pretty useless and the driving position very Italianate. I also think that the public simply didn’t see the Scirocco’s as offering enough metal for the money compared to the Gti when the oily bits were identical. Unless there is a mechanical differentiation the current car will fail for the same reason.
SS7
Shoestring7
October 24, 2008Personally I can’t help thinking “3dr Audi A3″ when I look at the Scirocco.
Mrs SS7 has owned two mk2′s in the past, and I currently have a low miles mk3 vr6. Both mk1 and mk2 Scirocco’s used the mk1 Golf chassis. It was light, but had significant compromises in rhd from; the brakes were pretty useless and the driving position very Italianate. I also think that the public simply didn’t see the Scirocco’s as offering enough metal for the money compared to the Gti when the oily bits were identical. Unless there is a mechanical differentiation the current car will fail for the same reason.
SS7
Steve (DR)
October 24, 2008I went with Mrs D to take a closer look at the Scirocco recently. Despite having the Scirocco sitting outside DR for a few days I never got the chance to drive it, so will have to grab that opportunity some time soon.
I was trying to tempt Mrs D out of her Mk2 TT, but she was having none of it. The TT was much cooler in her opinion and feels more special. I still like the new Scirocco, apart from the rear-end, so it’s growing on me.
I ‘think’ I would take a Scirocco rather than a Golf these days, whereas 20 years ago I did the opposite.
Mind you, I spotted a Corrado VR6 recently and it reminded my how good that design was at the time..
Steve (DR)
October 24, 2008I went with Mrs D to take a closer look at the Scirocco recently. Despite having the Scirocco sitting outside DR for a few days I never got the chance to drive it, so will have to grab that opportunity some time soon.
I was trying to tempt Mrs D out of her Mk2 TT, but she was having none of it. The TT was much cooler in her opinion and feels more special. I still like the new Scirocco, apart from the rear-end, so it’s growing on me.
I ‘think’ I would take a Scirocco rather than a Golf these days, whereas 20 years ago I did the opposite.
Mind you, I spotted a Corrado VR6 recently and it reminded my how good that design was at the time..
Steve (DR)
October 24, 2008I went with Mrs D to take a closer look at the Scirocco recently. Despite having the Scirocco sitting outside DR for a few days I never got the chance to drive it, so will have to grab that opportunity some time soon.
I was trying to tempt Mrs D out of her Mk2 TT, but she was having none of it. The TT was much cooler in her opinion and feels more special. I still like the new Scirocco, apart from the rear-end, so it’s growing on me.
I ‘think’ I would take a Scirocco rather than a Golf these days, whereas 20 years ago I did the opposite.
Mind you, I spotted a Corrado VR6 recently and it reminded my how good that design was at the time..
Claire Boyles
April 13, 2009@Paul Cardosi – I’m looking to get back in touch with a friend i knew years ago in Northern Ireland, did a google and found this entry so I thought i’d see if you are the same Paul Cardosi I knew back then?
Claire Boyles
April 13, 2009@Paul Cardosi – I’m looking to get back in touch with a friend i knew years ago in Northern Ireland, did a google and found this entry so I thought i’d see if you are the same Paul Cardosi I knew back then?
Claire Boyles
April 13, 2009@Paul Cardosi – I’m looking to get back in touch with a friend i knew years ago in Northern Ireland, did a google and found this entry so I thought i’d see if you are the same Paul Cardosi I knew back then?
bob
May 3, 2009This is something discussed a lot on http://www.scirocconet.co.uk A lot of ex Audi tt owners on the and gti owners but then again they might be a bit bias. Scirocco is great as it brings something different to the table. If you want 5 doors buy a golf. If not….
bob
May 3, 2009This is something discussed a lot on http://www.scirocconet.co.uk A lot of ex Audi tt owners on the and gti owners but then again they might be a bit bias. Scirocco is great as it brings something different to the table. If you want 5 doors buy a golf. If not….
bob
May 3, 2009This is something discussed a lot on http://www.scirocconet.co.uk A lot of ex Audi tt owners on the and gti owners but then again they might be a bit bias. Scirocco is great as it brings something different to the table. If you want 5 doors buy a golf. If not….