Volkswagen's U.S. boss wants Scirocco in the States

[cawimmer430]

Volkswagen's U.S. boss wants Scirocco in the States




Whenever anyone brings up the Scirocco, we still can't help but wince a bit at the fact that the United States was snubbed from the car's second coming. Apparently we're not alone. According to USA Today, Volkswagen America head honcho Jonathan Browning wouldn't mind seeing the low-slung three-door on our shores, either. Browning said that while Volkswagen was unable to make a solid business case for bringing the Scirocco to the U.S. market the last time around, he still wants to see the car in our neck of the woods. Unfortunately, we may have to wait a few years before that happens.

Browning said that there were a few other more pressing items on his plate at the moment, including improving his company's quality and making the dealer experience more tolerable. Those seem like plenty noble goals, but we still wouldn't mind seeing the 'Rocco on American soil sooner rather than later. While we love the Golf GTI as much as the next lead-footed American, there's just something about a Scirocco that flips all the right switches.

We're waiting, VW.


Link: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/17/volkswagens-u-s-boss-wants-scirocco-in-the-states/

[68_427]

Scirocco R please.

[the Teuton]

What would it compete against? It's made in "small" batches in Europe. I can't see it being profitable here.

[2o6]

What would it compete against? It's made in "small" batches in Europe. I can't see it being profitable here.

Veloster, CRZ, Mini Cooper, Eclipse........

[CJ]

The Eclipse doesn't compete with anything. It's loud, hard to see out of, and not that good to drive. It's also expensive.

[2o6]

The Eclipse doesn't compete with anything. It's loud, hard to see out of, and not that good to drive. It's also expensive.

I drove a 2.4L a few weeks ago. I didn't really like it. It looks awesome, but it's cramped, not that quick, and feels heavy. Shifter was pretty mediocre, too.

[NomisR]

I drove a 2.4L a few weeks ago. I didn't really like it. It looks awesome, but it's cramped, not that quick, and feels heavy. Shifter was pretty mediocre, too.

Yeah, the Eclipse is a pretty mediocre car.  They did so well with the 1st and 2nd gen though... and afterwards.... meh.

[2o6]

It felt like a bigger car, but not in a good way. It was not tossable and flingable like a sporty coupe should be.

[Vinsanity]

yeah, I'm not sure the Scirocco has a place here in the US market. Assuming it's going to be priced a notch above the GTI, I can't imagine choosing it over a V6 Camaro or Genesis Coupe.

[2o6]

C30

[NomisR]

It felt like a bigger car, but not in a good way. It was not tossable and flingable like a sporty coupe should be.

Yeah, it's cramped, yet, bulky and lumpy..

[omicron]

yeah, I'm not sure the Scirocco has a place here in the US market. Assuming it's going to be priced a notch above the GTI, I can't imagine choosing it over a V6 Camaro or Genesis Coupe.

You rang?

[ifcar]

The Eclipse doesn't compete with anything. It's loud, hard to see out of, and not that good to drive. It's also expensive.

It's a Galant coupe. It competes with the Altima and Accord coupes.

[CJ]

And it doesn't do it very well...

[Raza]

This car could bring me back to VW.  I think a lot of VW loyalists who feel betrayed as I do would feel the same way. 

[Xer0]

yeah, I'm not sure the Scirocco has a place here in the US market. Assuming it's going to be priced a notch above the GTI, I can't imagine choosing it over a V6 Camaro or Genesis Coupe.

IIRC, the Scirocco is actually cheaper than the Golf in all engine choices.

[Payman]

IIRC, the Scirocco is actually cheaper than the Golf in all engine choices.

I think you have that backwards. In any case, who would choose a Scirocco R over a V6 Mustang, Camaro, or Genesis Coupe?

Me... that's who. In a heartbeat.

[SVT666]

I would rather have the Focus ST.  Though the Scirocco does look awesome.

[Xer0]

I think you have that backwards. In any case, who would choose a Scirocco R over a V6 Mustang, Camaro, or Genesis Coupe?

Me... that's who. In a heartbeat.

According to VW UK:

The Scirocco GT retails from ?23,515 to ?25,750 while the R from ?29,485 to ?30,785
The GTI retails from ?25,045 to ?26,925 while the R from ?31,095 to ?32,975

[Mustangfan2003]

So German engineering in da house, ya?

[ifcar]

IIRC, the Scirocco is actually cheaper than the Golf in all engine choices.

I'm having trouble figuring out comparable engines/equipment, but the Scirocco is at east much less expensive in Germany than the GTI.

[Madman]

I think you have that backwards. In any case, who would choose a Scirocco R over a V6 Mustang, Camaro, or Genesis Coupe?

Me... that's who. In a heartbeat.

Same here!  Mustang and Camaro have too much of the Mullet Man stereotype going for them and the Genesis coupe looks odd.

[Payman]

According to VW UK:

The Scirocco GT retails from ?23,515 to ?25,750 while the R from ?29,485 to ?30,785
The GTI retails from ?25,045 to ?26,925 while the R from ?31,095 to ?32,975

I stand corrected, but I swear I read similar numbers, but for the other car.

[Northlands]

Same here!  Mustang and Camaro have too much of the Mullet Man stereotype going for them and the Genesis coupe looks odd awesome.

fixed. 

[sportyaccordy]

This car could bring me back to VW.  I think a lot of VW loyalists who feel betrayed as I do would feel the same way. 

What's wrong w/the current GTI?

Is the VR6 engine dead? Fuck the Scirocco, put an updated 2.8 VR6 in a Polo and bring that over

[2o6]

The Polo is too small!

And the Scirocco is sexy.

[Madman]

The Polo is too small!

And the Scirocco is sexy.

Too small for who?  The Polo is the same size as the Fiesta, Yaris, Fit, Accent, Rio, Aveo and Mini.  I see lots of those every day.

Volkswagen's failure to offer a B-segment car in North America is indicative of their overall incompetence in regards to their North American strategy.  It's ironic that the company which virtually invented the small car niche in America can't get it's shit together and offer us a contender in this increasingly important market segment.

[Xer0]

I stand corrected, but I swear I read similar numbers, but for the other car.

Yeah, I never understood how it was so much cheaper than the GTI either.

[2o6]

Too small for who?  The Polo is the same size as the Fiesta, Yaris, Fit, Accent, Rio, Aveo and Mini.  I see lots of those every day.

Volkswagen's failure to offer a B-segment car in North America is indicative of their overall incompetence in regards to their North American strategy.  It's ironic that the company which virtually invented the small car niche in America can't get it's shit together and offer us a contender in this increasingly important market segment.

I meant too small for that powertrain.



But, I would so rock a Polo GTI.

[Raza]

What's wrong w/the current GTI?

Is the VR6 engine dead? Fuck the Scirocco, put an updated 2.8 VR6 in a Polo and bring that over

Nothing really.  It's a great car.  It's just that it's more of the same.  It's essentially a facelift and a few slight changes (many of which are to things I don't care about, like the interior and sound isolation) over the car that it was a year ago and the car that I have now.