Volkswagen: Sexy new stance

The new VW Scirocco is a three-door car aimed at younger buyers. Photo / Jacqui Madelin

VW has cachet early Beetle owners could only dream about, but it's lost its fun factor. Its GTI and R cars are entertaining drives, but they hardly look the part.

Hence the Scirocco, a funky three-door hatch to attract younger buyers, and sex up VW's too-staid image.

What's new?
The body, for starters. Yes, it's loosely based on Golf underpinnings, but it's 40mm longer and 51mm wider. Significantly, it's also 97mm lower and boasts a wider track - by 35mm at the front, and 59mm at the rear.

Then there's that swoopy skin, the fat rear haunches beneath the narrower cabin, the low roofline emphasised by the narrow side windows; the width by that new face.

The 2-litre turbo engine isn't new, neither is this 1.4-litre supercharged turbo, although it debuts the seven-speed DSG transmission.

The company line
Scirocco may steal buyers from the new five-door Golf GTI which arrives in six months.

What we say
This is an impressive vehicle, not just for its looks but for the blend of rapid performance and everyday usability.

Sure, the low roofline will bang the odd cranium, and although the two rear pews are roomier than expected, the narrow windows and low ceiling mean they're best used as occasional seating. But singles or couples seeking a sexy-looking European hatch with everyday comfort will struggle to do better at the price.

Nice cabin too, with supportive seats and the occasional design flourish that suits this car.

On the road
This 1.4-litre engine sounds innocuous while cruising, but go hard and the way the supercharger spools up then segues to the turbo is breathtakingly effective.

The 240Nm torque peak is on tap anywhere from 1500 to 4500rpm, punching the car through corners with the verve expected from a bigger engine, before delivering the 118kW power peak at 5800rpm.

That broad spread of urge is delivered without stress thanks to the seven-speed transmission, which changes up at 6400rpm in sport mode.

The suspension's the basic Golf set-up, but the car's low, wide stance effectively controls roll, and although understeer does surface she's delightfully controllable on the throttle.

The best bit is that the nimble handling doesn't compromise compliance, so the Scirocco is well controlled over lumpier road surfaces.

Meanwhile the soon-to-arrive more powerful 2.0 turbo is a tad heavier and more thirsty, and though it's quicker in 0-100 terms, the peakier power delivery may pall.

Why you'll buy one
On challenging roads, hottish hatchback fun when you want it, frugal commuting when you don't, in a head-turning package that's also well-priced, if VW can deliver it at its $50,000 estimate come the April 15 on-sale date.

Why you won't
That sexy stance delivers a low roofline that limits rear headroom, renders clambering aboard a tad awkward, and makes for too high a boot lip if you're carrying heavy luggage.