An old saying in football says, "The cup has its own laws". Sometimes this also applies to the car market. When Volkswagen helped the legendary home athlete "Scirocco" to new life in 2008, it was hoped for a success similar to that of the original model from 18 to 1974 within 1992 years. Back then, 795.734 units of the sporty VW Coupé were produced in two generations. A worldwide success.
Today the automotive industry thinks in different numbers. By the end of 2013, over 200.000 units of the current Scirocco had been manufactured in Palmela, Portugal, but in today's VW dimensions this is more of a niche product. The Scirocco is more of an outsider on our roads, despite good and stable bonds. It is popular abroad, with over half of the vehicles produced driving on China's roads and in England.
A similar outsider role in the football cosmos has lapsed in recent years at VFL Wolfsburg. Often shouted out as an unemotional work force that is never really bad, but does not make the serious leap forward. The championship title a few years ago made a surprising exclamation mark.
This weekend it should be different. After the vice championship title was sovereignly won in the league, you are now in Berlin in the final of the DFB Cup. The opponent is a permanent guest in the final of the last few years, Borussia Dortmund. It will also be Jürgen Klopp's last game at BVB. On the other hand, VFL trainer Dieter Hecking wants to bring the first big success for the good work of recent times and bring the pot to the Autostadt. All ingredients were mixed for an emotional evening.
This is also the case with our test car, which we use to travel to Berlin.
"Berlin, Berlin, we are driving to Berlin."
We take this battle cry literally and travel in the most potent VW sports car, the Scirocco R.
In the late summer of last year, it was slightly revised after six years or, as athletes would say, it got a makeover. The Scirocco R now has an output of 280 hp, 15 hp more than its predecessor. It does the sprint to 100 km / h with the DSG dual clutch transmission in just 5,5 seconds - very sporty 0,3 seconds faster than before. We drive the model with the crisp six-speed transmission, which only transports the 350 Nm to the front wheels. Despite the lack of all-wheel drive, which is standard in the sister model Golf R, the power is perfectly converted into propulsion here. As if Kevin De Bruyne started to sprint towards the opposing goal.
While the normal Scirocco with its low vehicle height of only 1,40 meters and the low side windows looks very progressively sporty, the R has its own front and rear section with elements from motorsport and the new 18-inch “Cadiz” alloy wheels. Optionally, even 19-inch aluminum rims can be pressed into the wheel arches. Three large, glossy black air inlets at the front, side sill extensions in R-styling, chrome-plated exhaust tailpipes and a large roof spoiler are further external features of the top athlete in the Scirocco range. The interior includes the separate "Race" seat covers with the R logo, in which we are held in place sufficiently well when cornering at speed. On the 600 kilometers from the editorial office to the traditional Olympic Stadium in Berlin, however, they also offer corresponding long-distance comfort.
At least if you switch the switch from "Sport" to "Comfort" on the optional electronically adjustable suspension. Despite the body being lowered by 15 mm, the tighter suspension set-up and the large rims, not all bumps are transmitted to the occupants. A successful compromise on perfectly coordinated handling, which with the handy leather steering wheel seduces you to dribble easily around the other vehicles.
So that we don't feel too comfortable in the interior, inlays in “Carbon Race”, three additional instruments in the middle of the cockpit and stainless steel pedals create a racing atmosphere. This is also documented externally by the great dark sport sound from the two tailpipes. Inside it will be concise on the autobahn from 4.000 tours and will certainly be a joy for fans of sporty little coupés.
For those who prefer sound from the music system, the revised Scirocco will be pleased with the 400-watt Excite sound system from exclusive partner Dynaudio. The Danish premium loudspeaker experts use a digital 10-channel amplifier. This distributes the songs of the fan CD they brought to eight low-distortion Dynaudio speakers and a powerful subwoofer. A sound experience as if you were suddenly transferred directly to the football arena.
There the arena is now upside down when Bas Dost scored in the 38th minute for the 3-1 for the wolves. Nothing should change in this game until the final whistle, which leads to the first cup success of the Wolfsburg players in green and white. Without significant highs, but above all without major weaknesses, the VFL Wolfsburg has earned this historic success. We wish the same for the new VW Scirocco, which has the same attributes.
Text: Bernd Schweickard © Photo: Bernd Schweickard
