Along with a facelifted
Golf Plus and a new BiFuel Golf, this week's Bologna Motor Show was chosen as the host for VW's latest design concept based on the
Scirocco coupé.
Tagged the 'Studie R', the show car is currently a one-off, created specifically for the Italian motor show. Hence, in its detailing you'll notice liberal use of the green and red colours of the Italian flag, while the kick plates are embossed with 'Bologna 08'.
Taking inspiration from VW's successful Scirocco GT24, which raced at this year's Nurburgring 24-hour event, the Studie R features a new vented bonnet, deep bumpers, bespoke 19-inch alloy wheels, a sharp roof spoiler and dual oval exhausts. Inside, supple black and white nappa leather covers most surfaces, with carbon fibre also used extensively. Figure-hugging Recaro sports seats feature, as does a tactile, flat-bottomed steering wheel.
Despite being billed as a design study, this Scirocco appears to live up to its styling additions. Under that vented bonnet is a 266bhp version of the VW Group 2.0-litre TFSI engine, while the brakes have been uprated to four-piston callipers and the suspension is "racing-derived".
We expect to see a sportier version of the Scirocco at the
Geneva Motor Show in March. Here's hoping it looks as good as this.
Shane O' Donoghue - 3 Dec 2008