The Scirocco R -Pleasure, Design and Efficiency in one package

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It`s amazing how anyone who’s selling anything is using the word “attitude” as part of their tagline. Elegence is an attitude, exhilaration is an attitude, perfection is an attitude ….. basically, anything that’s an adjective can be used in front of attitude. I mean, you probably won’t find the following sentences like bitchy is an attitude, aggression is an attitude, arrogance is an attitude on a magazine advertisement but they’re just as usable.  Translated into a car, you would agree that the Scirocco is one of those that conveys attitude by the bucket …. negative or positive would entirely be dependent on the driver.

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And among the Scirocco variants your money can buy, nothing has more attitude than the R, one of the two R models being sold in Malaysia. With a price tag that can bring you a Mercedes, BMW or Audi, you’d have to be rich enough to own this as a 2nd or 3rd car or a die hard Rocco fan to have this as their only car at home. Is it worth the money? For a similar amount, would it be better to get the Golf R which has 4 doors and is more practical as a family car? Let’s delve deeper ….

 

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Design

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Inherently, the Scirocco is a handsome car (handsome being subjective since I have heard of it being described as looking like a frog) … with its wide and low stance, everything about it carries one message: speed. And the R is even meaner since it’s lower and wider than the standard variant.

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The most obvious sign of the R would have to be the LED daytime running lights which is mounted where the signal indicators are for standard Roccos. The signals are now housed in the main headlamp instead. Oh, and in case you’ve missed it, there’s an R badge there on the grill. It’s interesting to note that the Scirocco’s front fascia is the only one that does not follow VW’s corporate design

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Spot the bee! Measuring 4,246mm in length, 1,820 in width and 1,394mm in height, it`s 10mm wider and lower compared to the standard.

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The 19″ Talladega wheels are a beauty ….. and a real b*tch to clean, especially at the small gaps in each spoke. Flossing has a new meaning for me now,

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At the back, the R is almost identical to a standard Rocco if you discount the existence of the twin exhaust pipes. Also, the Rocco is one of those few VWs that does not allow it`s rear badge to be flipped to open the boot. To do that, you’ll find a conventional pull button on the front driver door or via remote key.

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Friends have asked me which is a better buy? A Rocco or a Golf R. One of the area where the Golf R trumps the Rocco R is the sunroof where the Rocco only allows tilt whereas the Golf’s can be slide and tilt.

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Performance

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Quick notes:

Engine: 2.0l TSi turbocharged direct injection 4-cylinder engine

Output: 255PS, 330Nm

Gearbox: 6-speed DSG

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I have to say though that being at the helm of the Rocco R tends to bring out the devilish side of me more … more to do with the fact that it drives pretty much like an ordinary car, albeit a very powerful ordinary car. Actually, calling the Rocco R ordinary is like saying abalones are nothing more than just molluscs, albeit an expensive one. Zero to hundred is done in 6.0 seconds …. again the Golf R is ahead by 0.3 seconds to the century sprint. It certainly feels faster in the Golf R with its 4Motion all wheel drive system compared to the Rocco R’s front wheel drive train even though both of them share the same EA113 2.0 litre turbocharged engine.

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Coupled with 6-speed DSG gearbox, no one in their right mind would call the Rocco R a slow car and driving down the North South Expressway, many other cars makes the error of thinking they can outsprint this car. Whether you’re moving at 160km or 220km, the Rocco R can keep up effortlessly like an annoying fly on your rear windscreen that refuses to go away.

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Now, in most first dates, it’s considered impolite to pass gas but the DSG fart is so addictive, I find myself yearning to create the condition to make the sound more. The sound is caused when the gearing upshifts and there is a change in the backpressure. It’s more apparent in DSG equipped cars that has their exhaust modified … or in the case of the Rs, comes as standard.

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More fun is the Launch Control that comes with the car. Deactivate the ESP, move the gears to ‘S’ mode, depress the brakes with your left foot and floor the accelerator with your right. Release brakes at your mark and any turbo Kancil trailing behind you would instantly be vaporised. Do make sure there’s no other car in front of you when trying this though ….. and that includes not trying this at your car porch. Warning: Set aside extra money for more tire replacements.

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Ride and Handling

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Quick notes:

Front suspension: MacPherson struts

Rear suspension: Multi link

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The Rocco R drives pretty much like any FF car …. except that it does everything an FF car does better. The threshold before the tail slide is further away and the car sticks to the ground much like how the *Beep, Beep* Roadrunner is when running from the Coyote. Many motoring journalist have remarked that the Scirocco R is a car that offers more driving entertainment compared to the Golf R. I didn’t quite get it as in my earlier test drive of the Golf R (found HERE), the Golf  seems to be able to tackle corners and accelerate faster …. how is it that the Rocco R a better drive?

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Ultimately it`s the B roads that demonstrates this entertainment value. True to any FF car, pushing it over its limit will reward you with understeer although the onset is much later. Even then, recovering from an understeer in a car that’s wider and lower than a regular Rocco, which is, again wider and lower than a Golf is so much easier and simpler. The extended electronic differential lock allows a sharper turning response which also allows for a sharper recovery when counter steering. For those who’re familiar with the Tropicana Golf course back road from the golf course to Ara Damansara, there is a double chicane 3 lane road where it turns 90 degrees right and left. In the Golf R, the corners are taken without much fanfare but in the Rocco, flicking the steering right and left quickly would give reward you with some sideways fun. At no time did I feel there was a lack of control

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 Upsized R brake calipers ensures you stop where you want to.

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With Adaptive Chassis Control DCC, it’s all at your fingertips whether you wish to have bone jarring hard suspension or …. err, a less bone jarring suspension. Let’s be honest here, this is not a Toyota Camry so don’t expect Comfort to be that Comfortable …. particularly when it’s running on 19″ tires. Still, it’s acceptable in most cases … so long as you’re not carrying tofu (or a person who has the characteristics of a tofu in a car)

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Cabin Convenience

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While the exterior is unlike it`s other VW siblings, its cabin reveals its parent heritage. Every control and button is virtually identical in every VW model; clean, simple … some call it drab. I like it as it is. After all, I’d rather not go hunting for a particular function if I need to focus on driving.

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Flat bottom 3-spoke steering with R badge, the audio controls are (as always) located on the left and MFD controls are on the right. It’s too bad that despite paying so much for it, the Bluetooth call button is not functional as the car does not come equipped with the module.

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As is with all true R cars, you’ll find blue needles that does a sweep upon start up whereas regular VWs have red. Aside from the color, the layout is pretty much the same compared to other models.

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R drivers wants to get going fast. Rummaging for keys and twisting it in the key slot is too slow …. so the Rocco R comes with keyless start. Simply depress the brakes, finger the Start Stop Engine button until you get an orgasmic response from the engine.

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Behind the steering wheel is again, your typical continental left-signal/right/wiper configuration. Also, the steering mounted paddle shifters are definite must have in Rs

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Next to a Polo, the Scirocco R’s headlamp controls are probably the simplest you can find. No front fog light control here.

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Aluminium pedals …. functions like any other pedals. Both gets lots of attention when driving hard.

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Like the Golf R, you’ll find an RNS 510 headunit with TFT touch screen, GPS navigation, 30GB hard disc, SD card reader and DVD drive.

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And the same DYNAUDIO ‘Excite’ 300W 8 speaker premium sound system churns out bass thumping music to get your mood racing

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What’s not like the Golf R is that there is no front parking sensors. Whenever you slot to reverse, you get a nice graphical representation of your arse and its proximity to anything that might poke you. Try not to park too close to the front though.

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Glove compartment is reasonably sized and is typical of any VW …

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… except in here is the setting for the tyre pressure monitoring system. It doesn’t exactly show you how much PSI you have on each tyre but if any of them is running low on air, you will get a warning.

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One can fake the exterior to look like a R but faking the racy bucket seats is not very common.

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The cup holder is just like my Skoda’s ….. wait, why is VW emulating Skoda? I guess VW must have made the decision that frivolous cup holder covers aren’t necessary for R drivers.

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Don’t expect to keep many things in the arm rest compartment. Access cards, Touch&Go and house keys as well as iPhone/iPads are the only things that fits.

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Frameless windows increases the appeal of the Rocco … and the door weighs probably a ton.

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One of the most immediate thing I noticed when first driving the Rocco was how small the side mirrors are. Then again, the rear view mirror is also rather small. Essentially, it’s extra motivation for the driver the go faster and only forward since rear visibility is somewhat poor compared to other VW makes.

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The rear seats is surprisingly spacious with sufficient legroom for a person my height of 5’10” which the person in front is 6′ tall. The problem with the back is the rather upright sitting position and if the driver is not careful with bumps, you can have a few head concussions due to the low roof.

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Another plus point for the Golf R, no rear aircon vents for the Rocco.

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The ever important ‘Teh tarik” hook for your drinks, food and occasional furry toy your gf decides to bring along.

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I have no complaints about the boot which is more than sufficient any outstation trip.

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And underneath the boot floor is the space saving spare tire

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More space can be summoned by folding the rear seats, from 312 litres to 1,006litres. Why would you need 1,006litres of space in a sports car is beyond me.

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Safety

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The Scirocco R has the following safety features covered for its driver and passengers:-

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• 3-point front seat belts with belt tensioners
• Anti-lock braking system ABS and brake assist BA
• Curtain airbags
• Driver and front passenger airbag with front passenger airbag deactivation
• Electronic stabilization program ESP
• Electronic vehicle immbilisation device
• Extended electronic differential lock XDS
• Euro NCAP 5-star rating for adult occupant protection
• Hill-hold control
• ISOFIX child seat anchorage system
• Seat belt reminder
• Traction control system TCS
• Warning triangle breakdown sign

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Specifications

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Interior

• Aluminium front scuff plates, with ‘R’ logo
• Auto dimming interior mirror
• ‘Climatronic’ air-conditioning system with 2-zone temperature control
• Cruise control
• DYNAUDIO ‘Excite’ 300W 8 speaker premium sound system
• Hand brake lever handle in leather
• ‘Keyless Access’ keyless locking and starting system with remote control
• Motorsport front bucket seats
• Multi-function leather-covered 3-spoke steering wheel in high gloss black finish with control for DSG
• Navigation system ‘RNS 510’ with TFT touch screen, 30GB hard disc, SD card reader and DVD drive
• Park distance control PDC
• ‘Silver Lane’ aluminium decorative inserts for dashboard
• Stainless steel sport pedals

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Exterior

• Bi-xenon headlights with dynamic range adjustment and headlight washer system
• Electric panoramic tilt glass sunroof
• Exterior mirrorss. electric adjustable, foldable, and heated with environment lighting and curb view
• Heat-insulating green tinted glass
• Motorsports inspired bumper with integrated LED daytime running lights
• ‘Talladega’ alloy wheels 8J x 19″, tyres 235/35 R19

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Ownership and Maintenance

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With a price tag of RM279,888 without insurance (RM281,060 if you’re purchasing as a private individual without insurance NCB), the Scirocco R comes with a 5 year unlimited mileage (as is any other VW model sold here in Malaysia).

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Which comes back to the question of which R is the better buy? With a price tag that’s RM10,000 cheaper, the Golf R offers better road stability through its 4Motion drive train, better practicality with 2 rear doors and rear air conditioning vents and the Golf R outsprints the Scirocco R in the century sprint. In this writer’s opinion, there is one thing that RM10,000 buys the Rocco R owner that the Golf R doesn’t offer …. exclusivity. Seriously, if you have a RM270k-280k budget that allows the holy luxury trinity of Audi, BMW and Mercedes to be in range, why get the Golf when you can be extra special with the Scirocco R

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