2012 Volkswagen Scirocco R Australian pricing: Cheaper than Golf R

By Tim Beissmann | September 12th, 2011

FIND DEALS

The Volkswagen Scirocco has been priced $2500 cheaper than the mechanically similar Volkswagen Golf R in Australia.

The three-door Scirocco R coupe will start at $47,490 for the six-speed manual model and $49,990 for the six-speed dual-clutch DSG. Unlike the Golf, the Scirocco will only be offered in performance-oriented R specification in Australia.

The Scirocco R replaces the three-door Golf R, coming with a $1000 price advantage over the now-defunct three-door variant.

The Scirocco R shares its 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with the Golf R variants, meaning the sleek new model will produce 188kW of power (at 6000rpm) and 330Nm of torque (2500-5000rpm).

The biggest difference between the Scirocco R and the Golf R from a mechanical perspective is that the Scirocco sends all its power through the front wheels (similar to the Golf GTI) while the Golf R is all-wheel drive.

To handle all the power, the Scirocco R comes standard with XDL (extended electronic differential lock), which is integrated into the ESP system to reduce traction loss.

Adaptive chassis control is also included as a further measure of improving the Scirocco’s acceleration, braking and cornering dynamics, with drivers able to select between Comfort, Normal and Sport settings.

Standard features for the Australian Scirocco R include 19-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, bi-xenon headlights, dual-zone climate control, 6.5-inch colour touchscreen with satellite navigation, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, and iPod connectivity.

The Scirocco R offers 312 litres of boot space, which grows to 1006 litres with the rear seats folded down. The low-profile coupe compares favourably with the chunkier Golf R, which offers 275 litres in the boot and 1230 litres expanded.

Unlike the Golf, however, the Scirocco is strictly a four-seater, meaning it’s probably a better choice for those without armfuls of children.

The first examples of the Volkswagen Scirocco R are expected to arrive in Australia at the end of this year or at the beginning of 2012.

Which one would you buy: Scirocco R or Golf R? Let us know in the comments section below.

2012 Volkswagen Scirocco manufacturer’s list price (excludes government and fleet charges):

Scirocco R six-speed manual – $47,490
Scirocco R six-speed DSG – $49,990

Sponsored Ads

JSTTRS

Golf R every day of the week.

Really disappointed this car is front wheel drive. May as well buy a GTI or spend $1500 and get the R.

FYI – Speaking from experience, I have a few cars (2 of which are Golf R32′s).
- Harry B
  
  but its a overpriced volkswagen, get something cheaper and better like i maybe ford falcon XR8 or maybe an holden SS for 50 of thousand dollars
  
  SENSE-WHERE IS IT
  - Mike
    
    Lol, some people just don’t get it. The XR8 and SS have all the handling of a shopping cart and all the class of a homeless guy carrying his life’s belongings in one. Big engines though…
- Harry
  
  I agree. When I read the first sentence and they said ‘mechanically similar’ I thought for sure it was going to be awd, but no.
  - Nick Car
    
    A disappointment is that the european version of the Scirocco R gets 195 kw, we get 188 kw (apparently due to our warmer climate, according to VW). Also the torque is down from 350 Nm to 330 Nm.
- scottjames_12
  
  Not having owned one, I’d be interested to know – how much difference does the AWD in the R actually make? I’ve read that it’s heavily front biased. Doesn’t it actually operate as a front wheel drive until it detects slip, then send torque to the rear?
- Commentator
  
  For those wondering how fast the Scirocco R is compared to the Golf R, watch this YouTube video
  
  http://youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=AU#/watch?v=uAkkOlfoCJw
  - Commentator
    
    Or just search
    
    EURO vs JDM – AWD Middleweight Championship [Part 1/2]
PhantomHamster

I would want the interior to be a bit snazzier…. I mean I like VW interior, but do they ALL have to be the same…come on this cars meant to be fun.
Grammar Nazi

If I were 10 years younger, I’d take the Scirocco. Nowadays, the Golf looks sporty enough, the people that know their cars will know it can go fast if it needs to.

Just an aside, that Green doesn’t look that fetching…
Robocop

I’ll use it for target practice.
Jimsim

If I was German and liked VW’s id take a Golf R. But I dont like VW’s, so i’d take neither, because at the end of the day, it’d spend more time on the back of a towtruck so I wouldn’t even enjoy it.
Rather buy a golfcart, or a skateboard. Hell, i might just buy a set of pink roller skates over this.
- dadar
  
  You sir, are an idi0t.
- Bangel
  
  Dim sim you stick to your bogan breakdown cars , while we have fun out on the B roads .
  - Jimsim
    
    Ah bangel, Breakdown cars? Your joking right? The crap you drive is the definition of break down. Saw so many VW’s on the roads this weekend just gone…. On the back of towtrucks.
    - Bangel
      
      Funny never seen one on a tow truck , your dreaming again of the great days of 8000 crummers a month were being sold , must hurt to see them slip sliding away , while the small car reigns supreme , why its only fleeters and cabbies buying them now .
      - Jim sim
        
        haha.. Keep talking Bungle. All you do is crap on about how good VW’s are.
        Seriously they’re not. Why would you even bother with this car? $50,000. They’ve lost the only good thing about the golf R and thats AWD.
        POS.
- gmh-bogan
  
  Have to agree with you Jimsim.You could buy two Holden Cruzes and have change in the bank.
  - scottjames_12
    
    You COULD buy 2 Cruze’s, but for the love of god, why would you want to?
    
    Holden really have the Australian public fooled with their locally assembled Daewoo…
    - gmh-bogan
      
      Lets back the truck a bit Mr James12?Scirocco R will sell well,Vw HAS YOU FOOLED if you pay 50K.In this current market..
  - Able
    
    LOL!!!
Able

Scirocco R or Golf R? No. Scirocco R or Megane RS250 – that is the real question!

I’d have the Scirocco R over the Golf R (it’s cheaper, comes with more and looks better though the Golf R does look meaner) but I’m really not sure about the RS250 which drives better, is better equipped and is quite a bit cheaper but that’s about it. The VW is almost certain to be more reliable and their dealer network is at least five-fold of Renault’s!
- Bangel
  
  Get this month car mag uk , rocco vs megane , two barnstorming FWD , megane pips it on handling ,both good drives .
  - scatman
    
    So in other words the Scirocco is the loser in a review, good way to support your argument
    - Bangel
      
      Der CATWOMEN STRIKES AGAIN , read it and see for yourself , bit like testing the bogan crummer and falcoon , not much between them .
      - scatman
        
        Dont need too, some moron told me the result
        Barnstorming, does it say that, or did you just add your own spice
  - Nick Car
    
    Please note that the Megane that they tested was the RS265 Trophy (not the RS250) a limited run of 500 units, not available in Australia.
    The Scirocco R appears to be a great car, and it’s great that VW has been able to bring it to Australia.
Lachy

So it’s either cheaper than a Golf R, looks better, but does without the all wheel drive

or

It’s a much better looking, a bit more expensive but much more powerful alternative to the Golf GTI.

Either way it is still a brilliant car… and yet I prefer the Renaultsport Megane 250.
Freddo

$50k for a 4 seat, FWD shoe box…no thanks
AndyGF

FWD Scirocco R has got its place, all you 4 wheel drive whiners.
If it had 4WD too, it would compete with itself, that’s something only Japanese manufacturers love to do, pretty lame-O if you ask me?
- Harry
  
  if the segment if filled with crap is that any reason to pump in more crap?
  - AndyGF
    
    No, im saying it has its own identity over the Golf R? If they were exactly the same, wouldn’t that be boring?
GTR-XUI

188kw @6000rpm,330nm of torque.Hmm have to say thats not bad.
The question is what else is around for $50,000.A bit to choose from at that price,SS Commodore or Xr6t or WRX,something French.
- davie
  
  Mazda MPS has similar outputs but is about 8k cheaper
  - GTR-XUI
    
    We will add the Mazda MPS to the list davie.Mazda going well at the moment.
    - Dave L
      
      Only problem is the smiley face of the current generation is a bit of a turn off. Personally I prefer the previous generation, which I thought had better overall proportions.
scottjames_12

It’s a nice looking thing, but 50k does seem like a lot of cash for not a lot of car. It’s sometimes hard to get over the dollars-per-meter when you look at a car!

Especially when you factor in the Aussie tax.. you can get a BMW M3 for about the same money in the US!
Captain Nemo

VeeDud are having a laugh $50K for this ugly jelly coated suppository.

BTW i wonder if the tool salesman at the VeeDud dealership will tell the cashed up Bogans that their Craprocco is cobbled together in Portugal and not in Germany i highly doubt it.
- gmh-bogan
  
  Excellent detective work Captain Nemo.For 50k has too be made in Germany.
- Bangel
  
  AH in chimes corporalzero/fung high/spent8 with more rubbish about failures , you stick with your VK crummer with 80′s tech and finish .
  
  Where they are made makes no differnce , might be so when the 2016 fwd crummerdore arrives in FWD FORM FROM CRAPVILLE USA .
  - Captain Nemo
    
    You sure love that caps lock button don’t you Bungel.
    
    Country of origin seems to matter to VeeDud fanboys more so than any other make of car. Made in Germany sounds better than made in Sth Africa hey Bungel.
    - CRS200
      
      Scirocco is assembled in Portugal any problem with that?
      
      That assembly plant is very well rated.
      - Golfschwein
        
        And Porsche Boxsters are made in Finland. It barely matters. It’s like the difference between Sydney and Newcastle or Perth to Albany.
j

with all that power to the front wheels, it should have a real LSD.
- TechEd
  
  “Real” LSD’s (clutch, cone, etc, are locked and then release as the breakaway torque is reached) work – on RWD – with compromises, particularly on wet roads.
  
  For FWD locking the driving and STEERING wheels at the same speed introduces instant and terminal understeer. ESC, eDiffs, Torsen, viscous couplings, etc (those that are open and lock only when required) work better all round which is why most manufacturers stopped fitting “real” LSD’s ages ago.
  - j
    
    Did I get my terminology and understanding wrong?
    
    FWD still benefits from a mechanical LSD, or locking diff. Right? I was under the impression that a mechanical diff locks up both wheels when under power- reducing torque steer when accelerating, and provides power to the wheel that has traction when cornering.
    
    In an open diff, like with XDL, power would goto the wheel with less traction where XDL kicks in and and brakes said wheel. Sounds hamfisted to me.
    - TechEd
      
      This topic can get horribly complex very quickly.
      
      Limited Slip Differentials do as they are named. They are initially partially locked to provide good traction when travelling in a straight line. They allow a limited amount of slip to allow the car to turn corners while under little to moderate throttle. However, apply enough torque and the assembly will mechanically lock both driving wheels together – there is no smarts to their action. If this is on a wet suburban road, the threshold for this action is very low and can cause lurid and unwanted powerslides. Once they lock, they stay locked until torque is removed. They improve directional stability, when travelling straight at the expense of SLIGHTLY increased tyre wear and fuel use.
      
      If these diffs are used on FWD a big problem arises. When cornering both front wheels must turn at different speeds otherwise the car won’t turn. You get plough understeer.
      
      Viscous couplings, Torsen, eDiffs etc are open until a set of parameters makes them progressively remove torque from the slipping wheel/axle. A VC will progressively lock when there is a significant difference in wheel rotation and once locked will progressively release. Some eDiffs use clutch controlled planetary gear sets on the driven axles that control wheel speed and prevent slip.
      
      With the almost manditory inclusion of ESC to cars (it must be fitted in order to achieve a 5 star ANCAP rating) manufacturers can integrate control over other systems by rewriting the software. The brake units for each wheel can now take on a TC function as well. If one wheel slips its brake is applied and more torque is delivered to the other wheel.
      
      No slip, better cornering, adjustable control.
Sumpguard

It will sell and sell well. Not my kind of car but I see the appeal to a niche market.
Vince

This needs AWD plain and simple. Why take away a 3 door AWD car and replace it with a FWD GTI skinned differently? Logic = notThere;
- Scirocco appreciator
  
  I just read the latest MOTOR magazine test, which had the Scirocco V WRX V Megane. Both the Megane and Scirocco gave the WRX a bath on the track, an absolute thrashing. Both are front wheel drive, WRX is 4wd but not in the same league as the Renault and VW in terms of the chassis setup, weight and other details that a obviously more relevant. Do some research and maybe you’ll understand your own logic fool. Many have reported the Scirocco outperforming Golf R also, due to it’s weight advantage. And yeah, by the way, you’re wrong.
KD

Sat nav is an option, not standard
- Phil
  
  GOOD. That way they can keep the price down a tiny bit for those who don’t need Sat Nav.
Andre

Amarok R please..
34WRC

Enough of this VW guff. Why doesnt Suzuki just put the Kizashi motor in the Swift Sport. Power/Handling/Reliability. I’d buy that in a heart beat. Sadly they haven’t. YET. If I had to buy a VW the Scirocco would get my vote hands down. Makes the Golf look dated. And I can certainly live without 4wd on the street. For those that cant I can recommend a few driving courses to better your skills…….
Andrew Cowley

So you now can’t get a 3 door Golf R. Thats lame. Audi have also dropped the 3 door S3. Shame for hot hatch lovers. The Scirocco looks lame to me. Start with a Golf, we don’t want to spend too much on the redesign, so it ends up being a weird arse transformation in the end.
- Jjjcohenn
  
  Really? Ive always thought of the Sciroocco as just a better looking version of a Golf. Id been thinking of buying one from England for years now. So now its here… happy days!
venu

Neither, I’d buy the RS250. Better looking & a better chassis.
craig

I have had a GTI for 4 years and often think I wouldn’t want more than it’s 280Nm of torque going to the front wheels. There is too much reliance on electronics to handle the torque with the FWD Scirroco R.
TuffGuy

My current drive is a WRX and I have never really been a Golf fanboy. Aside from being on the expensive side with a typically European options list longer than your arm they are universally accepted as being solidly built quality cars, albeit with grandma styling.
I was in Singapore earlier this year and Sciroccos are everywhere, a dime a dozen, and a seriously good looking car. This is what the Golf should have looked like all along and I would even consider buying one.
As for being only two wheel drive well all these years that does not seem to have worried other Golf owners any yet all of a sudden it seems a big issue because the Scirocco is not awd??? WTF
Even if I don’t buy one I will certainly at least take it for a drive (driven previously a normal Golf but never the GTI).
As for the cost consider what kit is included in the Scirocco that is not on the standard GTI (bi-xenons, satnav, decent wheels, etc plus an extra 33kw) – if they were put back on the options list the Scirocco would be around the same price as the GTI.
Steve

How about the latest Wrx. Seems to have its mojo back. Correct me – made in Japan, more power, awd, cheaper, reliable etc….
- G
  
  Yeah but it’s not exactly a looker. At least the older models weren’t pretty but looked brutish to compensate.
- JJ
  
  “Cheaper”
  
  Yup. Just not dollar wise…
Pauly

$50K is not bad, however people are forgetting that Dealer Delivery, Stamp Duty and Rego are ontop of this.

It’s great it comes standard with ACC and the 19″ alloys too.
Wal

Currently own a 3 dr gti ( purchased for $40k drive away) with stg 2 apr tune in manual of course. Previously only owned Japanese cars- Honda s2000, evo9, wrx, modified civics, driven the gamut of other imports like 200sx, gtr, etc.
I can honestly say that this vw, and euro cars in general are built and refined so much better.
I would have bought the scirocco instead of the gti but I didn’t know it was coming out in oz until recently. I didn’t get the golf r as I couldn’t justify the almost $10k premium for essentially the same car
JJ

I never understand why you people argue with Holden/Ford fanatics.

I mean you drive a piece of German engineering that looks classy and drives beautifully.

Let them have their big engine boats that handle like trucks. Don’t waste your time trying to convince them.
Tuffguy

Took one of these for a test drive last Friday and was so impressed I am going to buy one. My lease guy has found me a Scirocco R DSG in Viper Green, should arrive in a couple of weeks and the rex is being put out to pasture.
Les

You only have to look up Holden to see their build quality criticism.

Trying to compare Holden with VW is like comparing Apples and Oranges.

For me? I’d rather pay the cost premium and buy German. They last ten times longer in build quality. Better interior. Much longer lasting engine. Not sure why so many people here seem to think VW’s breakdown a lot. Certainly in the EU, they are up there as the most reliable with BMW, Merc and Porshe. I.e. German engineering.Australia really does protect its Holden market. They tax out all other incomers but Asian cars. Only because they sell cheaper.
- Marto
  
  You couldn’t be more WRONG Les. Check out the new car quality control statistics, the Euro brands are normally mid or worse on the scale, with Japanese performing the best. Korean brands such as Hyundai are even perform better than your precious Euro brands. Stop being sucked in fool. Scirocco is a great car all the same. BMW / Merc are terribly overpriced, it doesn’t take an intelligent person to figure that out.
Christo

Yeah,If you really have some spare cash, Focus RS is a beast. 224 Kw and 440Nm
azlan

ok i am 22yrs old and looking to buy a fun sports car that actually suits my age…. at the moment im tossing up between a subaru brz and a scirocco R.
can someone who has driven either one of these cars tell me what you think and what ioll enjoy living with the best??? thanks!