JE Design gives the VW Scirocco 2.0 TDI Wings

Banking on the popularity of diesel models in Europe, JE Design has presented a comprehensive tuning package for the VW Scirocco 2.0 TDI coupe that even includes a pair of Lamborghini-style scissor doors. For the basic version of the 2.0-liter diesel engine, the tuner offers a kit that boosts output from 140HP to 180HP and peak torque from 320Nm to 400Nm. In this case, top speed increases from to 213km/h or 132mph (+5km/h) while acceleration from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) is reduced by 0.9sec to 8.4 sec.

The most potent version of the 2.0 TDI that makes 170HP in stock form receives a 35HP and 60Nm bump to 205HP and 410Nm launching the Scirocco from standstill to 100km/h in 7.1sec (-0.7sec) and on to a tp speed of 229km/h or 143mph (+7km/h). The upgrade price for the 140HP motor is €1,249 and for the 170HP version, €1,449.

For those that would like to spice up the Scirocco's appearance, JS Design offers a complete bodykit for €919 that includes a front spoiler with carbon fiber trim, side skirts with air intakes (optionally available in carbon fiber) and a rear diffuser that houses a pair of chrome tailpipes. The LSD doors are priced from €1,559.

The package is rounded off with a suspension kit that lowers the height of the vehicle by 30mm (€219), a sport exhaust system (€899) and a set of 19-inch alloy wheels in silver (€2,810) or graphite (€2,930) wrapped in 235/25 R19 rubber.

HS Motorsport VW Scirocco 'Remis': Limited Edition with up to 320HP

The VW Scirocco seems to be a huge hit among German European tuners as we see new proposals coming out by the dozen. The tuner's at HS Motorsport even created a special edition version of the German coupe called 'Remis' that will be produced in a limiter run. Using the Scirocco with the 200HP 2.0-liter TSI engine as a base, the tuner offers the Remis in two guises, with outputs of 290HP and 320HP. Both variants come with a newly developed exhaust system that promises to notify your neighbors every time you come home.

Other mechanical mods include a new H&R coilover kit and upgraded brake system from Brembo, plus 20-inch black alloy wheels with white outer rims that are shod in Vredestein rubber (245/30 ZR20).

Of course no tuning proposal is complete without styling updates and as such, HK Motorsports has outfitted the Scirocco Remis with a complete bodykit consisting of a carbon-fiber front and rear bumpers, and side skirts. The Remis is offered exclusively in a two-tone color scheme that combines a white body with a black rooftop.

Interior appointments include front and rear Recaro bucket seats and full leather treatment with special door panel inserts.

Craigslist Scam of the Day: 2008 VW Scirocco Coupe for $9,600

Volkswagen officials may have denied North American consumers the opportunity to buy the new Scirocco, but luckily for us there's "Kate Beckham" who is offering two pristine, low mile examples of the German coupe through Craigslist for a mere $9,600 and $9,000 - the latter, a TDI model with an automatic transmission. Talk about a crystal clear scam - though don't be surprised if someone actually contacted the seller who has posted the car on several Craigslist hubs including Las Vegas, Philadelphia and Las Vegas.

Links: Craigslist New York, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, Los Angeles - Hat tip to Michail!

VIDEO: 2010 VW Scirocco R 265HP Presentation at the Nurburgring

Parallel to the start of the 24-hour endurance race at the Nurburgring at the end of May, Volkswagen staged the world debut of its hottest Scirocco model ever that comes equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot cranking out 265HP and 350Nm of torque. This video that was shot during the presentation event includes the first driving footage of the new Scirocco R on the 'Ring as well as interviews with VW officials. Bear in mind though that the interviews are in German - and yes, those of you out there 'sprechen die Deutsche', feel free to enlighten us with your bilingual skills.

VW Scirocco R with 265HP 2.0 TSI: Official Photos and Details

The high-performance 'R' version of the Scirocco that was previewed as a concept study at last year's Bologna Motor Show has finally been revealed in production form. The new Scirocco R is powered by a reworked version of the previous Golf GTI V's 2.0-liter engine boasting a higher pressure turbocharger as well as other modifications such as new intercooler that help boost output to 265HP and 350Nm or 258.2-lbs/ft of torque. The reason why VW chose the older generation 'EA113' four-pot over the Golf GTI VI's newer 2.0 TSI codenamed 'EA888' is said to concern the lower development costs.

Expect to see the same direct-injection four-pot replacing the previous Golf R32's 250HP 3.2-liter V6 in the still under-development, Golf R sport hatch or as it may be called, R20. Not surprisingly, the 265HP 2.0 TSI is mated to a standard six-speed manual gearbox and optionally, to a twin-clutch DSG semi-automatic transmission.

Marking a departure from the other 'R' models, the hot Scirocco is not equipped with an all-wheel drive system as VW preferred to retain the coupe's front wheel drive layout. This solution helps keep the weight down to around 1,330 kg or 2,932 lbs.

According to the German firm, the Scirocco R hits the 100km/h (62mph) mark in 6.5 seconds (6.4'' with the DSG) and reaches an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h or 155mph. In comparison, the the 0-100km/h sprint times for the 2010 Golf GTI and the last Golf R32 4Motion are 6.9 seconds and 6.5 seconds respectively.

Beneath the sheetmetall, Volkswagen's engineers upgraded the standard Scirocco's chassis with a lower suspension that features new dampers and springs, beefier brake discs all around measuring 345mm up front and 310mm at the back plus a new electronic XDS differential as found in the latest Golf GTI.

The mechanical upgrades are complemented by a new aero package that may be less aggressively styled than the one featured on the concept study, but nonetheless, it does its job to distinguish the coupe from its less sportier siblings. The bodykit consists of a chunkier front bumper that houses larger air vents as well as LED daytime running lights, side skirts, new grille, roof spoiler, restyled rear bumper and smoked tail lights. The R model sits on newly designed 18-inch five-spoke rims while customers can also opt for 19-inch alloys.

Inside, the hot Scirocco sports a set of front bucket seats, a three-spoke steering wheel with a flattened bottom featuring the 'R' logo, aluminum decorative trim here and there plus subtly restyled instrument dials.

The new Scirocco R is scheduled to arrive in European showrooms in the beginning of fall 2009. Sadly for U.S consumers, Volkswagen has no plans at the moment to import the sports coupe in the country.

New Scirocco GT with 170HP 2.0-Liter Diesel Returns 46MPG

Having already introduced the Golf VI GTD, Volkswagen has now launched a sporty diesel version of the Scirocco coupe equipped with the same 2.0-litre common rail diesel engine that develops 170HP at 4,200 rpm and 350Nm or 258lbs of torque. from 1,750 rpm. Linked to either a six-speed manual or six-speed DSG gearbox, the 2.0 TDI propels the Scirocco GT from standstill to 100km/h (62mph) in 8.1 seconds and on to a top speed of 222km/h or 138mph.

The real advantage of the Scirocco GT is its low fuel consumption as it returns 46mpg US (53.3mpg UK or 5.2lt /100km) in the combined European cycle while emitting just 139 g/km (DSG: 147) of CO2.

In Britain, the diesel-powered Scirocco is available for order with prices set at £21,755 and £23,060 for the 6-speed manual and DGS versions respectively. The coupe's standard equipment includes a six-CD autochanger, rain and dusk sensor, multifunction computer, 2Zone air conditioning, ABS, ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme) and six airbags.

APP Europe Tunes Up the VW Scirocco 2.0 TSI to 261HP

If you're the type of person who prefers modifying their car with accessories and performance parts collected from various firms instead from one company, then APP Europe just might save you the trouble if you're into the VW Scirocco coupe. The German tuning boutique has put together a Scirocco 2.0TSI using parts from Rieger Tuning, KW Automotive, Wimmer Rennsporttechnik, CFC and MR Car Design.

The Scirocco's 2.0-liter turbocharged engine benefits from an upgraded ECU that costs €2,500 or US$3,300, courtesy of Wimmer Rensporttechnik, that boosts output from 200HP to 261HP and peak torque from 280Nm(206 lbs-ft) to 380Nm (280 lbs-ft) allowing the coupe to reach a top speed of 263km/h or 164mph.

Furthermore, the Scirocco gains a sport exhaust system from MR Car Design (€1,599 or US$2,100) while the same company also provided a new limited slip differential (35%) for €2,990 or US$3,950. These changes call for an update on the DSG's software that will cost you an another €890 or US$1,180.

Braking power is provided by APP's high performance brake system (€3,220 or US$4,260) with 4-pistons and two-part slotted discs sized 355x32 mm while KW Automotive is the company of choice for a set of coilovers (€1,529 or US$2,020).

The new bodykit that includes a front apron (€599 or US$792), side skirts (€328 or US$433) and a rear apron with an integrated diffuser (€329 or US$435) is from Rieger. The optic highlights such as the black roof and red pin stripes are from CFC (prices weren't announced).

Last but not least, APP Europe equips the Scirocco with a set of 19-inch, 3-piece bi-colour aluminium wheels (complete set for €5,200 or US$6,870) wrapped in Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta high performance tires.

VW Scirocco GT24-CNG to enter Nurburgring 24h Race

For this year's 24-hour endurance race at the Nurburgring in Germany on May 23-24, Volkswagen has readied two natural-gas-powered Scirocco models that will participate alongside three gasoline-powered 325HP Scirocco GT24s with which the automaker took a one-two victory in the 2.0-litre turbo class at the 2008 race. The two Scirocco GT24-CNGs use a modified version of the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that has been designed to runs on natural gas.

The result is an output of just under 300 horsepower and 350Nm or 258-lbs/ft of torque which continue to be transmitted to the front wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch DSG gearbox operated by paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

Volkswagen said that as a fuel, natural gas is particularly eco-friendly as well as very cost-effective reducing on average CO2 emissions by 25 percent compared with conventional spark ignition engines.

"The Scirocco GT24 already proved its strengths as a dynamic sports coupe by clinching class victory in its debut race last year," said Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen. "In 2009, we are taking yet another step forwards by using two different engine concepts. We want to prove that Volkswagen offers different powertrain concepts, all of which excel in terms of high efficiency, dynamics and reliability. The Nordschleife and the 24-Hour Race provide an ideal test bed for this purpose."

The two natural gas-powered Scirocco GT24-CNG cars will be driven by Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg (D), Board Member for Technical Development of the Volkswagen Brand, and journalists Bernd Ostmann (D), Peter Wyss (CH) and John Barker (GB) as well as touring car ace Peter Terting (D), Nordschleife expert Thomas Klenke (D), former DTM driver Vanina Ickx (B) and touring car legend Klaus Niedzwiedz (D), two-time overall winner of the 24 Hours on the Nürburgring.

The team of one of the three petrol-powered Scirocco GT24 cars will consists of "Dakar" winner Giniel de Villiers (ZA), two-time World Rally Champion Carlos Sainz (E) as well as Dieter Depping (D).

The other Scirocco GT24 will be driven by last year's winners Jimmy Johansson (S) and Florian Gruber (D) as well as Nicki Thiim (DK) and Martin Karlhofer (A), while the third car's team will include formula racing specialists Congfu Cheng (CN), Carlo van Dam (NL) and Franck Mailleux (F) as well as the two-time 24-H overall winner Altfrid Heger (D).