CSR Automotive Adds Some Aggression to VW Scirocco Coupe

If the Volkswagen Scirocco coupe doesn’t look wild enough for your taste, you may want to take a look at CSR Automotive’s aesthetic treatment. The exterior mods include a new honeycomb lower grille in a matte black finish, a front apron, headlamp trims, side skirts and a rear apron with a diffuser that houses the new exhaust outlets. There’s also a rear spoiler and a matte black foil wrap in a carbon fiber look that partially covers the hood and the roof, as well as the exterior mirrors. Read more »

VIDEO: 627 hp VW Scirocco + Sweden and Snow = Awesome!

You probably think Sweden is all about IKEA, ABBA and Volvos. Of course you do because, like me, you base all your cultural assumptions on asinine, outmoded stereotypes. Though few would be so willing to admit it, we’ve all done it from time to time, mostly when drunk off our backsides around the family barbie.

So what if I told you the Swedes – well, a few of them anyways – were big into racing stripped out, turbocharged Volkswagen Scirocco’s packing AWD and 627 hp (468 kW)? And not simply racing them but racing them on snow and ice. You heard right, and we have the video to prove it.

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Volkswagen Reconsidering Scirocco and Phaeton for the U.S. Market

Earlier this month, Volkswagen announced that it’s going to expand its North American SUV lineup in order to catch up to GM and Toyota and triple its U.S. sales by 2018. However, the automaker also wants to boost its image, so it may bring back the Scirocco coupe and Phaeton sedan to the States.

In an interview in Washington, Jonathan Browning, head of Volkswagen’s U.S. operations, told Bloomberg News that the company is exploring the idea of selling the two models in the U.S. “We will reconsider bringing the Phaeton back to the U.S. in the next product cycle,” said Mr. Browning who added that no final decision has been made yet.

While not a bad car, the Phaeton had a short-lived career in the U.S., which ended in 2006. It seems that American buyers just couldn’t get used to the idea of a Mercedes S-Class rival with a Volkswagen badge. On the other hand, the Scirocco was successful in the U.S. during the 1970s and 1980s, so to this day, many are wondering why VW chose not to import the latest generation of the coupe model. In Europe, the Scirocco is offered with a variety of powertrains ranging from a 52.3 mpg 140HP diesel to a 265HP 2.0-liter turbo in the sporty 'R' model.

The Scirocco and Phaeton are not expected to offer a lot in terms of sales, but rather to provide an image boost for the company. The real “earners” will have to be models such as the new Jetta and Passat.

“VW wants to capture U.S. buyers by rolling out more emotional cars and the Scirocco certainly fits that category,” said Frank Schwope, a NordLB analyst in Hanover. “In terms of volume sales, the Scirocco and Phaeton are only decorative accents, they won’t be crucial for VW’s goal to greatly increase deliveries”.

Source: Bloomberg

JE Design gives the VW Scirocco 2.0 TDI Wings

Banking on the popularity of diesel models in Europe, JE Design has presented a comprehensive tuning package for the VW Scirocco 2.0 TDI coupe that even includes a pair of Lamborghini-style scissor doors. For the basic version of the 2.0-liter diesel engine, the tuner offers a kit that boosts output from 140HP to 180HP and peak torque from 320Nm to 400Nm. In this case, top speed increases from to 213km/h or 132mph (+5km/h) while acceleration from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) is reduced by 0.9sec to 8.4 sec.

The most potent version of the 2.0 TDI that makes 170HP in stock form receives a 35HP and 60Nm bump to 205HP and 410Nm launching the Scirocco from standstill to 100km/h in 7.1sec (-0.7sec) and on to a tp speed of 229km/h or 143mph (+7km/h). The upgrade price for the 140HP motor is €1,249 and for the 170HP version, €1,449.

For those that would like to spice up the Scirocco's appearance, JS Design offers a complete bodykit for €919 that includes a front spoiler with carbon fiber trim, side skirts with air intakes (optionally available in carbon fiber) and a rear diffuser that houses a pair of chrome tailpipes. The LSD doors are priced from €1,559.

The package is rounded off with a suspension kit that lowers the height of the vehicle by 30mm (€219), a sport exhaust system (€899) and a set of 19-inch alloy wheels in silver (€2,810) or graphite (€2,930) wrapped in 235/25 R19 rubber.

HS Motorsport VW Scirocco 'Remis': Limited Edition with up to 320HP

The VW Scirocco seems to be a huge hit among German European tuners as we see new proposals coming out by the dozen. The tuner's at HS Motorsport even created a special edition version of the German coupe called 'Remis' that will be produced in a limiter run. Using the Scirocco with the 200HP 2.0-liter TSI engine as a base, the tuner offers the Remis in two guises, with outputs of 290HP and 320HP. Both variants come with a newly developed exhaust system that promises to notify your neighbors every time you come home.

Other mechanical mods include a new H&R coilover kit and upgraded brake system from Brembo, plus 20-inch black alloy wheels with white outer rims that are shod in Vredestein rubber (245/30 ZR20).

Of course no tuning proposal is complete without styling updates and as such, HK Motorsports has outfitted the Scirocco Remis with a complete bodykit consisting of a carbon-fiber front and rear bumpers, and side skirts. The Remis is offered exclusively in a two-tone color scheme that combines a white body with a black rooftop.

Interior appointments include front and rear Recaro bucket seats and full leather treatment with special door panel inserts.

Craigslist Scam of the Day: 2008 VW Scirocco Coupe for $9,600

Volkswagen officials may have denied North American consumers the opportunity to buy the new Scirocco, but luckily for us there's "Kate Beckham" who is offering two pristine, low mile examples of the German coupe through Craigslist for a mere $9,600 and $9,000 - the latter, a TDI model with an automatic transmission. Talk about a crystal clear scam - though don't be surprised if someone actually contacted the seller who has posted the car on several Craigslist hubs including Las Vegas, Philadelphia and Las Vegas.

ABT AS5-R: Modified Audi S5 with 510HP set for Geneva Debut

The Audi S5-based AS5-R from ABT Sportsline will be making its worldwide debut at next month's Geneva Show. ABT's tuning proposal for the most powerful variant of the A5 coupe includes an updated version of the current S5's 344HP 4.2-liter V8 engine that has been modified to produce an output of 510-horsepower. For the record, Audi is planning to replace the S5 Coupe's V8 with the recently introduced S5 Cabriolet's new 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine that develops 333HP.

ABT did not disclose any more information on the car, but aside from the engine-tune up, the AS5-R will also benefit from a new bodykit and larger alloy wheels along with a modified suspension and a more powerful braking system.

The German tuner's Geneva booth will also host the firm's latest creations including the ABT VW Sciorcco Coupe and the ABT Audi Q5 and R8.

Volkswagen Scirocco SC 350 Tuned by Sportec with up to 350HP

Swiss tuning specialist Sportec has turned its attention on the Volkswagen Scirocco with the release of a new performance package. Among other things, Sportec's program consists of engine upgrades, a sports suspension, alloy wheels rims and other components. For the Scirocco 2.0 TFSI 200HP, Sportec offers various performance optimizations that boost the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine's output from 240HP to 350HP. In the most powerful version, the maximum torque takes a massive leap from 280 to 480Nm (354 lbs/ft).

To achieve these figures, the Swiss tuner's engineers modified the 2.0 TFSI's supercharger, updated the ECU and replaced the stock exhaust system with a new free flowing one. A carbon-fiber engine cover completes the package.

To improve the Scirocco's handling, Sportec developed a new sports suspension that brings the coupe 35 mm closer to the ground while the coupe now sits on 20-inch alloy wheels shod in 245/30 high-performance sport tires.

Finally, for the interior, the Swiss tuner offers a 4-part floor mat set made of soft velour and a multi-part carbon interior with the Sportec logo.

JE Design gives the VW Scirocco 2.0 TDI Wings

JE Design has presented a comprehensive tuning package for the VW Scirocco 2.0 TDI coupe that even includes a pair of Lamborghini-style scissor doors. For the basic version of the 2.0-liter diesel engine, the tuner offers a kit that boosts output from 140HP to 180HP and peak torque from 320Nm to 400Nm. In this case, top speed increases from to 213km/h or 132mph (+5km/h) while acceleration from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) is reduced by 0.9sec to 8.4 sec.

The most potent version of the 2.0 TDI that makes 170HP in stock form receives a 35HP and 60Nm bump to 205HP and 410Nm. With the performance upgrade, the car now able to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 7.1sec (-0.7sec) and on to a tp speed of 229km/h or 143mph (+7km/h). The upgrade price for the 140HP motor is €1,249 and for the 170HP version, €1,449.

For those that would like to spice up the Scirocco's appearance, JS Design offers a complete bodykit for €919 that includes a front spoiler with carbon fiber trim, side skirts with air intakes (optionally available in carbon fiber) and a rear diffuser that houses a pair of chrome tailpipes. The LSD doors are priced from €1,559.

The package is rounded off with a suspension kit that lowers the height of the vehicle by 30mm (€219), a sport exhaust system (€899) and a set of 19-inch alloy wheels in silver (€2,810) or graphite (€2,930) wrapped in 235/25 R19 rubber