I was surfing around some of my favorite Volkswagen news websites during another unproductive day at home, when pulled up the VWVortex website. There on their front page was news of the all-new 2009 Volkswagen Scirocco. Volkswagen’s attempt (again) to capture the sports-coupe segment.

The VWVortex article mainly consisted of Volkswagen’s Press Release from the Geneva Auto Show.

Volkswagen’s Chief Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn was quoted in the VWVortex article saying:

“In the Scirocco we will be bringing the kind of sports car into the showroom that people dream of. Yet it is a dream that an exceptionally large number of car drivers will be able to afford – despite all of the high-end technologies we have implemented.”

I’m not too sure about the “kind of sports car[...] that people dream of.” part of Dr. Winterkorn’s statement. While the front end design is defiantly unique and shocking in comparison to the Volkswagen Jetta and GTI, which are currently offered at dealerships, the all-new Scirocco isn’t as appealing of a ’sports coupé’ I was expecting from Volkswagen designers and engineers. In fact, I’ve been slightly disappointed with some details in the current line-up that Volkswagen offers right now. For example: At first glance of the tail-lights on the current Jetta and Rabbit models and one would assume that the silver-lined circle in the center of the brake lights would be the car’s turn signals, but this isn’t so. The LED tail-lights offered as standard equipment on the Passat sedans and wagons have also failed to impress me. But the new Scirocco disappoints me from pillar-A on back to the rear bumper. In fact, the only design element that the new Scirocco sports that I like, is the aggressive front end design.

It’s a unique, and welcomed, change from the Jetta, GTI, GLI, Rabbit, R32 and Eos design that seems to be plaguing this 5th generation chassis.

Alike its siblings, the Sirocco is built on the same Mk5 platform as the Jetta, GTI, GLI, Rabbit, R32 and Eos, but it features an artistically designed front end that helps separate it from the rest of the family, much like the long-lost cousin you haven’t heard from in a while.

While the overall design is different from its siblings, there’s almost a distinct resemblance at the rear of the car to its GTI, Rabbit and R32 relatives, and (in my opinion) doesn’t resemble any heritage to its roots as a fast-back design like its predecessors - the 1st and 2nd Generation Sciroccos and the Corrado. The rear is more of a hatch-back design like the GTI, R32 and Rabbits, if the Scirocco was supposed to touch base with its roots, then failed miserably. Instead of a ‘fast-back’ design (for example comparison: Toyota Celica, Nissan Z350, Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe), Volkswagen opted for the hatchback design.

The second disappointment the Scirocco has presented itself with is the bland dash and instrument cluster and arrangement. It’s the same as the Eos dash, with a GTI/GLI styled 3-spoke steering wheel. From the picture above, the door cards are as unique as the front, which is a welcomed change and addition. The seats design and texture appear to be a nice comforting leather. The front seats are well designed to match the sportiness the car is trying to pass off, however the rear seats, again almost identical to those found in the GTI, appear to be cramped into the almost pointless back. The head rests in the back seat are carried over from the front seat, and create plenty of blind spots and poor rear-ward visibility for the driver.

VWVortex did mention at the beginning of Volkswagen’s Press Release that as of the current moment, Volkswagen of America has decided to not bring the new 2009 Scirocco State-side because: “[...][Volkswagen of America] feels the new Scirocco is too similar to the GTI in form and doesn’t make sense to bring over [...]” Which is very true, and very disappointing on Volkswagen’s part. “Volkswagen had a beautiful opportunity to build a great looking coupe that would be unique in the lineup and instead has built a hotter GTI.” and has pointlessly sabotaged the Scirocco for the States, and possibly the rest of their targeted market.

I stated this back in May 2007 on Volksbloggin.com as a side note after discussing the possible return of the Phaeton regarding the Scirocco:

[...] Also, I haven’t heard that the new Scirocco was axed due to the fear of GTI sales. That makes me sad and mad. They sold GTIs and Sciroccos/Corrodos side-by-side before back in the 80’s and early 90’s. Here’s my idea on the Scirocco “fear”. Offer the Scirocco with the 3.2L V6 240HP and make a few items that are optional on the GTI and make them standard on the Scirocco - like the Technology Package, dual tip exhaust (like on the R32), and of course have the 4Motion option on the Scirocco. - just my idea. [...]

Note: Photos displayed here were found on VWVortex’s Website. Also, you can read Volkswagen’s Press Release on VWVortex’s website: Volkswagen Introduces the New Scirocco