Volkswagen adds some oomph

The Scirocco R is the result of three Sciroccos VW raced last year in the 24-hour endurance event at the Nurburgring circuit. Photo / Supplied

Volkswagen has officially announced the formation of its own performance division, just as the first two examples carrying the new go-fast "R" badge arrive in New Zealand.

The new operation will concentrate on developing from the ground up hot versions of regular VWs, just as Mercedes-Benz has done with its AMG arm and BMW with its M division.

VW's R-Line models will also fall under the control of the new company. Although R-Line variants don't feature any mechanical tweaks, they do add a host of cosmetic upgrades.

Models the R division has already developed include the all-wheel-drive Golf R and the front-drive Scirocco R, both equipped with an aggressive suspension set-up and a fiercely tuned and intercooled version of the turbocharged 2-litre engine found in the Golf GTi. But the Golf R unit develops marginally more oomph than the Scirocco's - 199kW against 195kW.

VW isn't saying why one is more powerful than the other. It is assumed the all-wheel-drive Golf R copes with the extra 4kW better than the street-legal front-drive Scirocco.

Perhaps, too, VW wants the Golf R to carry on behalf of 35 years of Golf models the title of "fastest-accelerating" VW.

Both R models come standard in New Zealand with a six-speed double shift gearbox (DSG), although VW says it can supply six-speed manual models to order.

The R division will carry a staff of 350 and concentrate on sportiness, exclusivity and building "the emotionalisation" of the VW brand, says Ulrich Richter, general manager of the new company.

It will be able to take the lead in building new cars from the ground up. The first of these is likely to be the mid-engined BlueSport roadster, which first appeared as a concept at the 2009 Detroit motor show.

VW says the Scirocco R is the result of three Sciroccos it raced last year in the 24-hour endurance event at the Nurburgring circuit. The boosted 2-litre engine in the race cars produced 230kW.

The Scirocco R puts out 195kW at 6000rpm and 350Nm of torque from 2500-5000rpm, thanks to turbo boost pressure of 1.2 bar.

VW claims a top speed of 250km/h and a zero to 100km/h sprint time of 5.8 seconds, roughly half a second slower than the Golf R. It says also that the Scirocco R is good for town-and-around fuel economy of 8 litres/100km (35mpg). It comes with an exhaust emissions rating of 187 g/km.

There are three driving modes - normal, sport and comfort. Chassis aids include an electronic differential lock as part of the car's stability package.

It helps to keep in check the traditional understeer inherent in front-drive cars at speed through corners. Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) is optional. It continually adjusts damping of individual wheels to roadway conditions.

Both cars come highly specified. The Golf R costs $72,500 and the Scirocco R $68,250.

Says Dean Sheed, general manager for VW in New Zealand: "The Scirocco has found homes with more than 100 Kiwis since we launched it almost a year ago, making it the most popular sports coupe in 2009.

"The Scirocco R, like its sibling the Golf R, takes driving dynamics to a whole new level."