VW Creates a Modern Day Scirocco with Iroc Concept
Volkswagen will be showing off a new concept at this year’s Paris Motor Show called the Iroc. No, it’s not named after the one-make racing series for which the top of the line Camaro was, but rather as the short, and rather affectionate form of Scirocco, the fastback, Volkswagen sports coupe which was in production during the ’70s and ’80s.
In many ways, the Scirocco was an affordable sports car. Its wedgy styling was penned by the great Guigario, but with an elongated chassis based off of the Golf, and powertrain selections from the top of the Golf range, it was affordable to the masses. The Scirocco was also practical; it could seat four comfortably, and carry plenty of luggage thanks to its hatchback. This is the exact same shortlist which Volkswagen used when it created the Iroc.
Mechanically, the Iroc is similar to the ‘A5′ series VAG group vehicles, and features many of the same components. Interestingly, the Iroc is just 24 mm (0.95 in) longer than the GTI/Golf, but it rides on a wheelbase that’s 102 mm (4.0 in) longer. This was done in order to maximize cabin room, which has been laid out slightly different to the original. Instead of having a lengthy fastback, like the Scirocco, the Iroc features a very long roof, wide C-pillars, and has been capped by a low roof height.
Inside, the Iroc has been furnished as per the usual Volkswagen concept car standard: vivid and eye catching. The seats are heavily bolstered racing buckets trimmed in black and matching neon green, the gauges are two cylinders of glowing blue light, and the centre console features toggle switches, and hexagonal, aluminum-trimmed air vents, which might hint at a new interior theme for future Volkswagens. The gearshift selector is of a unique design; it ‘deploys’ to an upright position, only once the car has been started. But, for all the concept-like elements of design, the Iroc is still quite practical. It has four individual seats, similar to Volvo’s C30, with plenty of rear legroom, and has 300 litres (10.6 cu-ft) of cargo space.
To accompany the rather speedy looking styling is a very advanced powertrain, which comes from the European-market Golf GT. Under the hood is a four-cylinder, small-displacement TSI twincharger motor which combines a turbocharger and a supercharger for improved power and instantaneous throttle response. However, unlike the Golf GT, the Iroc’s power has been bumped up significantly; in this particular guise it makes 210 horsepower. Mated to the DSG six-speed twin-clutch gearbox, upshifts are not only smooth but lightning quick.
It’s long been rumoured that Volkswagen would be reviving the Scirocco nameplate with a modern-day version of the affordable sports coupe. Though the personal coupe segment is somewhat stagnant with only Ford’s Mustang having success, it is likely something as stylish, practical and advanced in powertrains as the Iroc in production trim would be a hit.