Revealed: new VW Scirocco

Its 15 years since VW dumped the old Scirocco but these are the first pictures and details of the new version, which was unveiled at the Geneva motor show last night.

Drawing heavily on the styling of the Iroc concept car that was first shown at the Paris motor show in 2006, the car shares its basic structure with the Eos coup-cabrio.

The Scirocco is a four-seater with individual bucket seats incorporating built-in headrests, to maximise comfort levels.

The car will go on sale with a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine delivering just shy of 200bhp the unit first seen in the Golf GTI. Youll be able to choose from a manual gearbox or VWs highly-rated twin-clutch semi-automatic, both with six speeds.

It wont stop at that, though. A 2.0-litre diesel almost certainly the smoother-driving, quieter 170bhp common-rail unit VW has recently started slotting into new models will be added, and theres every possibility that the highly impressive and fuel-efficient 1.4-litre turbo engine will also find a home in Scirocco with either 140 or 170bhp. That would bring the start price of the range down to closer to 18,000 rather than the 20,000 VW is expected to ask for the 2.0-litre car.

Suspension, boot space and details
The Scirocco will become VWs second model after the Passat CC with the option of dynamic damping control. This is an active suspension system that allows three levels of firmness normal, comfort and sport but even in its normal mode it is continually responding to the road and how the car is being driven. Even without it, though, the Scirocco should drive well on its Golf-based suspension.

The Scirocco has a small tailgate above a big rear bumper giving access to a boot that offers 292 litres of space, or 755 litres when the rear seats are folded.

Details of just what will be standard are scant, but VW is planning two versions in the UK one with 17-inch wheels and another on 18-inch rims.

There's one more piece of good news, too. While the Irocs stunning green colour scheme the same shade that was available on the old Scirocco wont be immediately available, sources say it may be added to the range later.