Celebrating a Million Sciroccos—A History of Volkswagen’s Little Sports Car

Monday, June 3, 2013

Celebrating a Million Sciroccos—A History of Volkswagen’s Little Sports Car

The front-wheel-drive models of the early 1970s catapulted Volkswagen out of the rear-engine stone age into the bright future of modern front-drive sophistication. Lighter and more agile than virtually all of their competitors, the initial batch of modern VWs consisted of the Passat, the Scirocco, the Golf, and the not-for-the-U.S. Polo. Needless to say, the Scirocco was the enthusiast's favorite: Aggressively styled by designer Giorgio Giugiaro, it weighed slightly more than 1700 pounds, and it was powered by a new generation of sprightly four-cylinder engines with an overhead camshaft.

The Scirocco came to the States a year after its European introduction, but it soon became a frequent sight—and, unlike the "Americanized" Golf, it kept its European demeanor. When production of the first-generation Scirocco ended in 1981, 504,153 had been produced in total. The second generation of the Scirocco was styled in-house; it grew slightly and became significantly more expensive. The success of the original couldn't be recreated, but the Scirocco II did leave a legacy that included a 16-valve version as well as a pair of twin-engined prototypes. Just 291,497 units were produced before Scirocco II stopped rolling off assembly lines in 1992.

Early in the development process of the Scirocco II's successor, Volkswagen became fascinated (perhaps to a fault) with moving the car upmarket. Because of that fascination, the brand decided to sell the Scirocco II and its successor simultaneously. The Scirocco's heir would be christened Corrado, and it was launched in 1988 with the unsatisfactory G-charger engine. The costly coupe would last just three years beyond the Scirocco II. In 1991, VW introduced a downgraded four-banger and a top-of-the-line VR6. Neither offering helped. In the end, just 97,521 Corrados were produced.

After the lame market performance of the Corrado, it would take Volkswagen 13 years to rejoin the segment. The launch of the Iroc concept in Berlin in August 2006, which previewed the third-generation Scirocco, was one of the last appearances of Wolfgang Bernhard with VW before he and chief designer Murat Günak were handed their walking papers. The Scirocco III, which was never designed to be sold in the U.S., achieved remarkable success—more than 200,000 units have been sold since its market launch in 2006. VW is celebrating this feat with the special-edition Million Scirocco available only in Germany and China. In the coming year or two, we'll get our first glimpse of the Scirocco IV, and this one likely will make a long-heralded return to America.

Volkswagen Scirocco I, pre-face-lift

In Europe, the entry-level Scirocco I featured rectangular headlights, making for an especially pure appearance. Compared to the somewhat baroque Opel Manta and Ford Capri, its direct competitors there, the compact and angular Scirocco presented the look of the future.

Volkswagen Scirocco I, post-face-lift

In 1977, the Scirocco received a face lift with wraparound turn signals and plastic bumpers. Thirteen-inch aluminum wheels were commonplace for Volkswagens of that era, while the color is trademark Scirocco: Viper Green Metallic—It would return on the Scirocco III.

Volkswagen Scirocco II, Giugiaro proposal

Giugiaro's styling proposal for the Scirocco II, pictured here, was ditched in favor of Volkswagen's own. And that's a good thing. The Italian proposal looks static and dated—although its themes later resurfaced on the Audi B2 Coupé.

Volkswagen Scirocco II

Controversial in its time, the Scirocco II has aged well. It features a pronounced wedge shape with a tall and rounded rear section, highlighted by a split rear window. The "Scirocco" lettering on its lower portion later disappeared.

Volkswagen Scirocco II, Karmann TR concept

In the early 1980s, Targas and T-tops were all the rage, and VW considered such a version of the Scirocco. Coachbuilder Karmann built two units, but the project never came to fruition.

Volkswagen Corrado G60

With its supercharged engine and technological wizardry, such as its electrically powered rear spoiler, the Corrado aimed squarely at the Porsche 924 and the Mazda RX-7. And missed.

Volkswagen Corrado Roadster concept

Late in its production cycle, Volkswagen commissioned Karmann to build a roadster based on the Corrado. Executives got cold feet and the project was axed before the public was allowed a peek.

Volkswagen Iroc concept

Less than six months after he launched the Iroc concept in Berlin, VW exec Wolfgang Bernhard was gone. And so was the gaping maw of his concept car. Now those intakes are appearing on Audi's RS models.

Volkswagen Scirocco III

Before the Scirocco III's market launch, the front end was modified with a thin, horizontal grille. By this point, it was too late to change the voluptuous rear fenders and taillights, but the latest Scirocco has been a sales success anyway.