Geneva 2008: Scirocco

Not that it needed to be officially unveiled but it did today as the 2008 Geneva Motor Show kicks off. The Scirocco, pictures of which had been leaked last week, officially showed its face to the world.

On the Palexpo floor were three cars: a white one and two red ones. All three samples look very striking. Autoblog compares the Scirocco's design to "an Audi A3 three-door with styling more reminiscent of something from Alfa Romeo" and adds that it looks like a "A squashed R32...but in a tasteful way." Interesting. Design-wise, the Scirocco is in good company.

No engine specs were released with the press release but a 2.0L TSI is for sure. The Scirocco will cost 21,750 euros and should be in showrooms fall of this year. One interesting bit from the press release says that the Scirocco will roll out in other countries over the course of next year. Maybe there's hope for us yet.

Press release and eye candy after the jump.

Source: Volkswagen, images from Autoblog















Versatile and affordable – The legendary two-door makes its comeback
Wolfsburg / Geneva, 03 March 2008 - Volkswagen is putting on a spectacular parade of new models in Geneva with a host of international product debuts. Taking centre stage will be the highlight of the show, the new Scirocco – a completely re-engineered all-round sports car. Another vehicle being showcased at Lake Geneva is the Golf TDI Hybrid. This concept car runs on just 3.4 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres. The 150-PS Passat Estate TSI EcoFuel, also debuting in Geneva, represents a technology leap for automobiles run on natural gas. Other Volkswagen world premieres will be the extremely fuel-efficient Sharan BlueMotion (6.0 litres per 100 km) and the four-wheel-drive Golf Estate 4Motion. The Passat CC will also be on display for the first time ever in Europe.

It's back: 34 years after the first Scirocco was unveiled to a waiting world at the Geneva Motor Show, Volkswagen is presenting a new Scirocco for a new era at the same venue. Now as then, the coupé is inspired by the fascinating idea of creating a sports car for every day of the year at truly affordable prices. And that is the essence of the Scirocco: the successful marriage top technology and low running costs, dynamic performance and high comfort, a surprisingly spacious interior and an uncompromising sporty design.

As the Volkswagen Group's Chairman of the Board of Management, Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, commented: "What we have done with the Scirocco is to put the kind of sports car in our showrooms that people have dreamed of owning. A dream that a good deal of motorists – in spite of all the high-end engineering we have integrated – can actually afford." The Scirocco will be launched Europe-wide in late summer with prices in Germany starting at 21,750 euros; other countries will follow over the course of the next year.