The original Volkswagen Scirocco, first released in the mid-1970s, was a cracking little car. I know, because I owned one for a couple of years back in the early '80s. Its crisp, angular, Giorgetto Giugiaro-styled body was a real head-turner in those days and, while it didn't have the performance to match the looks, it was nippy enough for its time, had sweet handling and roadholding, and could carry four adults in reasonable comfort.
Fast forward 35 years and the Scirocco has made it to Mark 3, having been out of production since 1992, the last year that the unloved Mark 2 was made.
The recipe of the new model is the same: take a Golf chassis and tweak it a little, add a sporty engine then cover it with an attractive two-door body. The Mark 2 didn't work because VW forgot the attractive body part. But the new, revised Mark 3 puts that right. It's a sleek and distinctive sports coup? that looks like no other VW on the road.
Although it shares the same wheelbase as the Golf GTi, it is lower and wider, and its squat look is accentuated by the distinct side scallops and the haunches over the rear wheels.
There are no spoilers, skirts, splitters or other fashion accessories on the bodywork, and the Scirocco looks all the better for it.
The interior is typically VW, featuring high-quality materials and top-class fit and finish, but it's a little dull. Some aluminium trim brightens the gear lever surround, the flat-bottomed steering wheel and the triangular door pull, but it's not enough to lift the mood. The sports seats are firm but comfortable, providing good support in the bends. There is a surprising amount of legroom in the back, but headroom is limited and six-footers will find their hair getting ruffled. Access to the two rear seats is tricky, as it was with the Mark 1, but getting out is even trickier because of the low seating position.
The boot capacity is a useful 292 litres, and the rear seats can be folded individually for extra space to a maximum of 755 litres. However, the high boot sill impedes access. One-piece cast aluminium wheels are standard, with four choices available. The 18-inch Interlagos design looked particularly good on the test car.
