VW Scirocco reborn for 21st century

Volkswagen is hinting at a return of the legendary Scirocco coupe from decades ago with its Iroc concept car.

The bright green Iroc two-door boasts the radical styling the Scirocco was known for when it went on sale in 1976.

Volkswagen is not confirming that the Scirocco is coming back, but Volkswagen insiders suggest it’s a done deal, further cementing the German maker’s sports car line-up.

The press material accompanying the release of images of the car, which will be shown at the 2006 Paris motor show at the end of September, states the compact coupe is a “reinterpretation of the successful Scirocco idea”.

The Iroc is a homage to a Volkswagen that went on to become a cult car of sorts in Europe and the United States.

Even the bright green paint is reminiscent of the original car that first broke cover 33 years ago at the Geneva motor show.

While the Iroc is retro in the concept of reviving a legend, its styling is anything but old world.

A gaping grille and aggressive-looking headlights dominate the stout nose, while the short body creates a purposeful and stumpy look.

Inside, the design treatment is just as radical, with blue illuminated gauges and knobs dominating the cockpit.

The Iroc is claimed to seat four adults in a two-plus-two configuration, with “ample room for luggage”.

Under the bonnet is Volkswagen’s revolutionary “twincharger” four-cylinder engine, which uses a supercharger and a turbocharger to produce 155kW of power.

It drives through Volkswagen’s equally revolutionary DSG (direct shift gearbox) transmissions, which uses two electronically-controlled clutches to deliver some of the fastest and smoothest gear changes of any new car.

While Volkswagen is not talking about a production version of the Iroc just now, insiders suggest a new coupe wearing Scirocco badges and borrowing heavily from the Iroc design could be unveiled in 2007.