information supplied by: Volkswagen SA - Product 08 June 2011
Scirocco R
 
Creating the Scirocco R
 
At the heart of the Scirocco R is a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder EA113 engine (as opposed to the EA888 fitted to the conventional Scirocco) in heavily revised form. The block has been reinforced with an entirely new alloy head, uprated pistons, conrods and high pressure injectors.   An uprated turbocharger generating 1.2 bar of boost is joined by a new intercooler to cope with the extra heat generated.  The result is 188kW and 350Nm of torque.
 
A choice of six-speed manual or DSG gearboxes is available, both directing drive to the front wheels via an XDS-equipped electronically controlled front differential.  A set of uprated brake discs measuring 345 mm in diameter (310 mm at the rear) and new callipers finished in gloss black are fitted next along with specially tuned, pneumatically controlled damper units.  Finally an all-new exhaust system exiting via tailpipes spaced at each side of the rear bumper is fitted.
 
The front and rear bumpers of the conventional Scirocco are replaced by bespoke items designed by Volkswagen R GmbH.  The nose is dominated by a trio of deep front airdams set into the front bumper joined by a set of LED daytime running lights.  The grille section, finished in gloss black, features a discreet ‘R’ badge and sits in between a set of standard Bi- Xenon headlight units.
 
Further back a set of subtle sill extensions replace the rubbing strip fitted to the conventional Scirocco.
 
At the rear, a new bumper featuring a diffuser is framed by the new chrome-tipped exhausts.  A set of smoked rear light lenses sit below a larger rear wing to lend the Scirocco R greater presence.
 
The gloss black look featured on the front grille extends to the wing mirrors and the rear diffuser, all of which remain black regardless of the body colour of the vehicle.
 
Unique to the new R models are a set of five-spoke ‘Talladega’ wheels.  Fitted as standard are a set of 19-inch wheels with 235/35 tyres.
 
Inside the Scirocco R the range-topping model is distanced further from the conventional model.  Sculpted sports leather seats offer superb support.  A new set of dials featuring electric blue ‘R’ similar to the new Golf Ris joined by a flat-bottomed steering wheel with contrasting gloss black inserts and fingertip controls.
 
The highlights throughout the cabin have been replaced by high-gloss black inserts contrasting against turned aluminium trim.  The aluminium trim extends to a set of ‘R’ kick plates found in the door frame.   
 
Performance
 
The Scirocco R is capable of accelerating to 100km/h in 6.0 seconds (DSG 5.8 seconds) before reaching a maximum speed of 250km/h.  A combined fuel consumption of 8.1* litres per 100km (DSG: 8.0 litres per 100km) is linked to CO₂ emissions of 189 g/km (DSG: 187 g/km).
 
RUNNING GEAR
 
In front, the Scirocco R has a McPherson strut type suspension for precise tracking and balanced comfort properties. In the rear, is usesthe multi-link suspension system. The tuning of the springs, dampers and anti-roll bars has been modified to suit the lower seating positions and the weight distribution of the Scirocco R.
 
The Scirocco R has a very low centre of gravity which presents some challenges.  One of these is to retain adequate headroom for the occupants within the low overall vehicle height.  Part of the solution is the incorporation of the tailgate hinges inside blisters in the roof, thereby allowing the roofline to be lowered and enhancing the dynamic appearance of the Scirocco R without compromising practicality.  The Scirocco R has a significantly wider track than the Golf R, in front it measures 1561mm(gain of 28mm compared to Golf R) and at the rear, 1553 mm (gain of 38mm).
 
To increase track width and reduce unsprung mass, light alloy components are used in the rear.  In line with its sporting aspirations the Scirocco R is also tuned to offer the highest degree of stability for driving safety.
 
For added sporty and dynamic drive, customers can order Scirocco R with an optionalDynamic Chassis Control (DCC) system. DCC allows the driver to select from normal, comfort and sport settings to achieve the desired suspension, steering and accelerator response characteristics for their particular driving style. 
 
Dynamic Chassis Control – DCC
 
Engineers have in the past been constrained to design a suspension system which is biased either towards comfort or sportiness, always resulting in some form of compromise.  The ideal, it was decided, would be to produce a chassis that could continually adapt to road conditions and the particular wishes of the driver or passengers. 
 
Here not only can the suspension’s damping characteristics be controlled at the touch of a button, but the electro-mechanical power steering and accelerator response are also modified at the same time.
 
DCC operates via a set of four electrically adjustable dampers.  Each damper is fitted with characteristic map control, a gateway control module that serves as an interface with the CAN data networks in the Scirocco R – these comprise of three sensors for measuring wheel displacement, three sensors for measuring movements of the body structure and a control module for the damping.
 
These sensors constantly measure the vehicle’s behaviour – be it under braking, acceleration or cornering – and react almost instantaneously to assure the optimum mix of chassis agility and comfort at all times.  The vehicle defaults to ‘Normal’ mode in which the system strikes a balance for general use.  Should the driver select ‘Sport’ mode the steering assistance is reduced, the damping is hardened and the throttle responses are sharpened as the mapping changes. 
 
This is intended for either twisty roads or track driving.  In ‘Comfort’ the damping is softened and the steering assistance is increased to provide a smooth and controlled ride best suited to motorway driving.
 
XDS – electronic differential lock
 
The Scirocco R is fitted as standard with XDS, an electronic cross-axle traction control system for improved traction and handling.  Technically speaking, XDS is a functional extension of the electronic limited slip differential (EDL) which is a part of the standard Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP).
 
Its benefits are experienced when driving quickly through a bend.  ESP sensors provide information on lateral G forces, while ABS sensors monitor levels of friction.  Using this information a control unit can predict when an inside wheel is about to lift and apply a braking force automatically to increase traction on the opposite front wheel.  XDS differs from EDL however as it brakes the inner wheel before it loses traction rather than afterwards.  The result is smoother, more sure-footed and safer progress with better traction through fast corners when on the limit of adhesion. 
 
XDS also compensates for the understeer which is typical of front-wheel drive cars.  Thanks to XDS, the Scirocco R’s driving characteristics are significantly more precise and neutral, and this reduction in understeer means greater driving enjoyment.
 
Electro-mechanical power steering
 
An electro-mechanical power steering system is employed on the Scirocco R.  Unlike some systems, it is able to vary the feel of the steering wheel to suit the speed and driving situation: firm and direct when driving hard, effortless at parking speeds.  Other advantages of the system include its mild self-centring action, its ability to compensate for different driving hazards, like crosswinds and steep road cambers, and a beneficial effect on fuel economy, as it dispenses with the usual engine driven pump.  Specifically for the Scirocco R, a newly programmed map is used to offer stronger self-aligning torque and somewhat higher steering force to give the driver more ‘feel’.
 
Also new is the electro-mechanical steering gear: the steering angle sensor, utilised by both the electro-mechanical steering system and ESP, has been integrated in the pinion gear housing for the first time. That means that it no longer needs to be housed in the steering column switch module, thereby improving sensor quality. 
 
Braking system
 
The Scirocco R features a sophisticated braking system, with ABS and ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme).  Ventilated discs are fitted at the front with solid discs at the rear.
 
Electronic Stabilisation Programme – ESP
 
Essentially, ESP is a sophisticated system that automatically senses any tendency for the car to slide.  Should this situation occur, ESP reacts by applying the brakes to one, two, three or all four wheels and adjusts the engine’s power.  In this way, it is possible that a skid is corrected even before the driver is aware that one has started.  This can be useful if a tendency to understeer or oversteer develops in a bend.  In such circumstances ESP can help prevent the car skidding or spinning off the road and is particularly helpful in wet or icy conditions. 
 
Hydraulic Brake Assist – HBA
 
Working in conjunction with the other elements of the braking system, HBA recognises from the speed at which the brake pedal is depressed whether it is a ‘normal’ braking situation or an emergency stop.  In the event of an emergency stop, HBA automatically increases braking pressure, activating ABS and ensuring the level of braking meets the needs of the conditions.  The application of brake assist makes it possible even for unskilled drivers to reduce braking distances by around 25 per cent.
 
SAFETY AND SECURITY
 
The Scirocco R bears all the same characteristics of passive safety as the Golf R.  It too has an extremely rigid body structure, energy absorbing deformation zones all around, and restraint systems devised to suit its performance.
 
The combination of a highly rigid occupant cell and deformation zones is a prerequisite for good crash performance.  The concept applied to the Scirocco R is profile-intensive lightweight construction with cold-worked, high-strength sheet metal.  All real tests and computer simulations confirm that the steel body designed in shell construction offers optimal protection even under the most difficult crash conditions.
 
As a further safety feature, when the airbags and belt tensioners are triggered at a specific load via a central ECU, the hazard lights are activated, the doors are unlocked, the interior lights are turned on and the fuel pump is shut off.
 
Whiplash-optimised head restraints
 
Driver and passenger seats are also fitted with whiplash-optimised head restraints, which move towards the head in the event of a rear collision, thus reducing the risk of neck injury.  Additionally, seatbelt pre-tensioners in the front ensure that they are in the best possible position immediately after impact but before the occupants begin to move forwards.
 
STANDARD FEATURES
 
Scirocco R comes standard with followingfeatures:

• Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Hydraulic Brake Assist(HBA)
• ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme), including EDL (Electronic Differential Lock), ASR (traction control) and XDS electronically controlled differential
• Driver and front passenger airbags with passenger’s airbag deactivation switch
• Curtain airbag system, including front side airbags
• Driver and front passenger’s whiplash-optimised head restraints
• Three-point seatbelts and integrated headrests for both rear passengers
• Isofix child seat preparation for rear seats
• Unique ‘R’ styling extending to new front and rear bumpers, sill extensions, grille, wing mirrors, rear lights, rear wing and exhaust system
• LED daytime running lights set into front bumper
• Bi-Xenon headlights including static curve lighting
• LED Taillights, dark red sports design
• Climatronic 2-zone air conditioner
• 50:50 split fold rear seat backs
• Front centre armrest with storage compartment and cup holders
• Rain sensor and automatic dimming interior rear-view mirror
• Dusk sensor with automatic driving lights
• Park Distance Control
• Automatic coming home lighting function
• Electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors
• Front electric windows
• Passenger side mirror with kerb view
• Space saver spare wheel
• ‘R’ design leather-trimmed three-spoke steering wheel with gloss black trim
• ‘R’ design white backlit dials with contrasting blue needles
• ‘R’ design sports leather seats
• Gloss black dashboard highlights with turned aluminium trim
• RCD 310Radio/CD MP3 with eight speakers and AUX-in socket for connection to external multimedia source
• 12V socket in luggage compartment
• Body-coloured bumpers and door handles
• ‘R’ rear roof spoiler
• 19 inch Talladega Alloy wheels with 235/35 R19 tyres
• Tyre Pressure Monitor

 
OPTIONAL FEATURES
 
A number of factory-fitted options are available on the Scirocco R allowing customers to further individualise their vehicles.  Highlights include an electric tilting panoramic sunroof, DynAudio sound system and radio and satellite navigation system. 
 
Panoramic tilt sunroof
 
Enhancing the cabin’s spacious and airy feel is the option of a panoramic sunroof.  This electrically powered and transparent roof extends from the A- to the B-pillars and can tilt open up to 39 mm at the press of a button.  It also includes a sunshade to reduce glare.  However the sunroof is made of specially designed safety glass which only transmits 8.2 per cent of the UV radiation, 2.8 percent of the infrared radiation (heat) and 6.9 per cent of the visible light.
 
It should also be noted that the low-profile design of the panoramic sunroof does not reduce headroom; in fact the lack of a roof liner in the area of the glass section frees up more space than would normally be available.
 
RNS 510: touchscreen navigation/radio system
 
Volkswagen’s latest touchscreen DVD navigation and entertainment system is offered with the Scirocco R.  The RNS 510 uses standard touchscreen for fast, intuitive operation of the entertainment and navigation menus and displaying of information.  
 
With the RNS 510, as well as playing CDs in the usual manner, favourite tracks can also be stored onto the internal, 30 GB hard-drive via an SD card slot in the front of the unit.  The system can also be used to play DVDs when the car is stationary. 
 
Dynaudio Excite Sound System
 
A 300 watt premium entertainment system from Danish hi-fi specialist Dynaudio provides exceptional sound quality especially compared with other systems in the SciroccoR’s market segment.  The eight-channel system delivers up to 300 watts of sheer sound without generating unwanted vibrations in the vehicle structure.
 
Other optional features offered in the Scirocco R are:
 

• Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC)
• Radio-CD player: RCD 510 with MP3, 6-CD Changer
• Racing bucket seats

 
Retail prices (VAT and Emissions Tax included) – Effective 7 June 2011
 
2.0 TSI (188 kW) Manual            R403 355
2.0 TSI (188 kW) DSG                R417 855 
 
The Scirocco R comes standard with a 5 year/90 000km Service Plan, 3 year/120 000km warranty and a 12 year anti-corrosion warranty. Service Interval is 15 000km. The new Volkswagen Scirocco R.doc (55kB)

Scirocco R Specifications Sheet.xls (47kB)