The Volkswagen Scirocco was a sporty hatchback sold by Volkswagen from 1974 through 1992. The model was highly succesful, and helped bolster VW's reputation.

1974 - 1992 Volkswagen Scirocco History

Specifications
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  • Model: 1974 - 1992 Volkswagen Scirocco History
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Volkswagen began work on the car during the early 1970s as the replacement for the aging Karmann Ghia coupe, and designated it the Type 53 internally. As a cost-saving method, VW choose to use the A1 chassis shared with the Golf and Jetta to underpin the new Scirocco, although most every part of the car was re-engineered in favor of a sporty-drive, and the model's all-new styling, penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro, was sleeker and sportier than that of either the Golf or Jetta. The model went on sale in Europe in 1974 and in North America in 1975.

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A heavily re-designed "MKII" variant went on sale in 1982, although it remained on the MKI platform and a more mild, mid-cycle redesign occurred in 1984, which included few outward changes over the 82' model. A leather interior, power windows and mirrors, air conditioning, and a manual sunroof were options for all years.

MKI models featured a range of four-cylinder engines with displacements from 1.1 to 1.8 litres, all featuring a single-overhead camshaft and 2-valves per cylinder. The MKII generation brought with it a new 1.3 litre base engine and an optional 1.8 litre, double overhead camshaft motor featuring 4-valves per cylinder. Although the 16-valve 1.8 brought added performance to the range, it proved a somewhat questionable choice, as late A2 Golf GTIs were available with a more powerful 16-valve 2.0 litre motor.

Scirocco sales continued until 1988 in the United States, 1989 in Canada, and 1992 in Germany, it was replaced by the Corrado in all markets.

Volkswagen Scirocco I

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VW's evaluation code for the VW Scirocco was EA 398. The Golf was actually planned to be announced as the "Scirocco", the 53 would have been called "Scirocco Coupe". As you know, VW changed this! The VW Scirocco (designated internally by VW as the Type 53) was announced at the Geneva show in March 1974 - pre-dating by several months the announcement of the other most significant VW of that decade - the Golf. The Scirocco filled the spot in VW's model lineup vacated by the elegantly styled Karmann Ghia. The Scirocco's design was penned primarily by Giorgetto Giugiaro of Ital Design, then refined in VW's wind tunnel at Wolfsburg.

The 1974 model was available with a 1.1 liter motor (Scirocco, Scirocco L), a or a 1.5 liter powerplant in various configurations (up to 85hp). Apparently, for 1974 only all models came with the large two rectangular headlights except for the TS model, which came with the quad headlamps that were used on all models from 1975 to 1981.

In 1976, VW unveiled the Scirocco GTi to Europe. This was a true performance car when measured against it's peers. The Scirocco GTi was equiped with front & rear sway bars, vented front discs, and a high compression, fuel injected engine.
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Model year milestones:
  • Introduced to North American market.
  • Introduction of mono wiper on front windshield.
  • Fuel Injection introduced.
  • Scirocco GTi unveiled.
  • 1978:
    • Wrap around front turn signals introduced.
    • Black plastic bumpers replace previous metal or chrome surfaced bumpers.
    • Scirocco GTi unveiled.
  • 5 Speed transmission introduced.
  • Final Model Year