Volkswagen Reconsidering Scirocco and Phaeton for the U.S. Market

Earlier this month, Volkswagen announced that it’s going to expand its North American SUV lineup in order to catch up to GM and Toyota and triple its U.S. sales by 2018. However, the automaker also wants to boost its image, so it may bring back the Scirocco coupe and Phaeton sedan to the States.

In an interview in Washington, Jonathan Browning, head of Volkswagen’s U.S. operations, told Bloomberg News that the company is exploring the idea of selling the two models in the U.S. “We will reconsider bringing the Phaeton back to the U.S. in the next product cycle,” said Mr. Browning who added that no final decision has been made yet.

While not a bad car, the Phaeton had a short-lived career in the U.S., which ended in 2006. It seems that American buyers just couldn’t get used to the idea of a Mercedes S-Class rival with a Volkswagen badge. On the other hand, the Scirocco was successful in the U.S. during the 1970s and 1980s, so to this day, many are wondering why VW chose not to import the latest generation of the coupe model. In Europe, the Scirocco is offered with a variety of powertrains ranging from a 52.3 mpg 140HP diesel to a 265HP 2.0-liter turbo in the sporty 'R' model.

The Scirocco and Phaeton are not expected to offer a lot in terms of sales, but rather to provide an image boost for the company. The real “earners” will have to be models such as the new Jetta and Passat.

“VW wants to capture U.S. buyers by rolling out more emotional cars and the Scirocco certainly fits that category,” said Frank Schwope, a NordLB analyst in Hanover. “In terms of volume sales, the Scirocco and Phaeton are only decorative accents, they won’t be crucial for VW’s goal to greatly increase deliveries”.

Source: Bloomberg

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.

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.