Volkswagen Scirocco, European Press Event, Frankfurt.
Plus – The first view of Jeep Renegade.

The UK is the largest market in Europe for the Scirocco, and in global terms it is second behind the largest market, which believe it or not, is China. Between September 2008 and the end of May 2014, 36,940 Scirocco models were sold here in the UK. The original Scirocco was launched 40 years ago, and since then over a million have been sold worldwide, although there was a break in production between 1992 and 2008.

We went to Frankfurt for the day to drive what Volkswagen describes as the “new” Scirocco, but in reality it is more a facelift than a new model. Externally the shape has been refined and modernised with new headlights and taillights. The bumpers have also been revised with the front now featuring aerodynamic “blades” in the outer section, which are similar to the latest generation Golf GTi. The indicators, daytime running lights and fog lights have also been revised.

All Sciroccos now have LED taillights, and the rear bumper has been reshaped to make it appear (in Volkswagen’s words), “lower and more purposeful” The Volkswagen badge in the tailgate is now the boot release handle.

The day in Germany was a bit rushed, to say the least. After landing we drove 197km to the lunch stop, and went mostly on the autobahn, but did a detour to take in some of the hills and forests roads around Frankfurt and Koln. Lunch was quick, very quick and back in the car to drive 186km back to Frankfurt airport. 

We drove the R model there and a GT version back. We found the R to be a bit hard on the suspension, as you would expect. It was also a bit harsh in the “back-department” or that could simply be down to an age-thing.

The dashboard now looks a lot better, more modern and sportier. It has new-look dials and an auxiliary gauge cluster above the centre console. This cluster consists of a chronometer, turbo charge pressure and oil temperature gauges, all very reminiscent of the 1974 model.

There is a choice of engine capacities and power outputs. On the petrol side there is a 1.4 litre 125ps, 2.0 litre with 180 or 220ps, and the R version has a 2.0 litre 280ps unit. The diesel comes with a 2.0 litre producing either 150 or 184ps.  During our time in Germany we did not get chance to drive the diesel version; and with 150ps TDI expected to be the best-selling model in the UK, it was a bit disappointing not being able to drive it. The CO2 emission figures start at 109g/km for the 2.0 TDI 150ps and go up to 187g/km for the 280ps manual.

There are four trim levels available, the Scirocco, GT, R-Line and R. The GT is expected to take around 50% of UK sales, followed by R-Line with 33% of sales.

We mainly drove the Scirocco on the motorways in Germany with a few country roads, and found it to behave perfectly well under any condition, on any road surface and at any speed. It stuck to the road on those narrow, twisty lanes, and sat very quietly and safely at German motorway speeds, with hardly any wind, road or engine noise intruding into the cabin.

The Scirocco has been tidied up in places it needed tidying, it has some nice new features and technology and the engines have had slight revisions.

Prices start from £20,455.00 and go up to £33,795.00 OTR. The most popular version, the GT 150ps TDI will cost £25,025OTR. First deliveries in the UK will be in October.

First View – Jeep Renegade, Bolocco, Milan 

The all-new Jeep Renegade is due here in the UK early next year, but we got chance recently to go to Italy to see close up some early, pre-production models.

Jeep are going into a very popular sector with this new “baby-Jeep” and once it is launched it will go head-to-head with small SUV’s such as the Skoda Yeti.

The front seven-bar grille is very retro and similar to the original Willys Jeep which gives it a very distinctive front end.

The Renegade will be built in Italy at Fiats Melfi Plant, which also produces 500L and the forthcoming 500X.

These early Renegades that we looked at in-depth, had high build quality and all the materials used were up to a high standard.

No prices or specification have been released yet, and these are due nearer the time of launch.

Martin Ward, Manufacturer Relationship Manager