(July 9, 2014) If Volkswagen truly wants to revitalize its flagging sales in the U.S., bring on more up-to-date products. A good example is the new more powerful sporty Scirocco, which just went on sale in Europe. Prices for the revised Scirocco, which opened for orders on July 8 ahead of first deliveries in October, start at £20,455 ($34,773) for the 1.4-liter TSI 125 PS manual and rise to £33,795 ($57,451) for the 2.0-liter TSI 276-horsepower Scirocco R. 

The new Scirocco, which made its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, 40 years after the original, comes with a new range of advanced engines that offer up to 276 horsepower yet also promise fuel efficiency improvements of up to 19 per cent.

Externally, the Scirocco’s shape has been refined and modernized with new headlights and tail lights, as well as revised bumper styling.  The revised front bumper features aerodynamic "blades" in the outer section, like those on the latest-generation Golf GTI, with integrated indicator lights, daytime running lights and fog lights.  On models with (optional) bi-xenon headlights, the daytime running lights are LEDs within the main headlights.



All Sciroccos now have LED tail lights, while the bumper has been reshaped to appear lower and more purposeful. As on a Golf, the Volkswagen logo badge now has an additional purpose: functioning as the tailgate release handle.

The range-topping Scirocco R has a distinct look, with bespoke bumpers and 19-inch ‘Cadiz’ alloy wheels. The rest of the range also benefits from new alloy wheel designs.

Under the hood (which as before features the Volkswagen roundel) are six new turbocharged direct-injection gas and diesel engines, all of which meet EU6 emissions standard.  All models in the range except the R now feature BlueMotion Technology modifications, meaning they come as standard with Stop/Start and also brake energy recuperation systems.

The gas range consists of a 1.4-liter gas engine with 123 horsepower, and a new 2.0-liter 178-horsepower unit which replaces the previous 1.4-liter 158-horsepower unit.  Despite an increase in capacity and power, it is more economical than the unit it replaces. The previous 2.0-liter TSI 207 horsepower has been replaced with a 217 horsepower unit that is also 19 per cent more fuel efficient.  The new Scirocco R uses a 2.0-liter is 15 horsepower more than before.

Two diesel engines are both 2.0-liter units, with either 148 horsepower or 181 horsepower.

Inside, the dashboard has been updated, with new-look dials and an auxiliary instrument cluster above the centre console, consisting of chronometer, charge pressure and oil temperature gauges – a tribute to the 1974 model.

The Scirocco was last sold in the U.S. in 1988.