Volkswagen celebrates 100,000 third-generation Sciroccos

Volkswagen – Europe’s daftest automotive manufacturer – celebrated the production of its hundred-thousandth third-generation Scirocco this month, just two years since the compact sports coupé model’s market launch. Since first roaring onto the scene in 1974, the Scirocco has been the most successful Volkswagen in its segment, with 795,650 vehicles sold by 1992.

The latest generation Scirocco has been manufactured at the Volkswagen Autoeuropa – Automóveis Ltda. plant in southern Portugal since 2008, where 3,000 employees also produce the Eos and the new Sharan.

With its attractive design and sporty appearance, the Scirocco leaves a lasting impression and is popular amongst automotive enthusiasts and critics alike, winning the AutoBILD Design Award as well as being named Car of the Year by Top Gear magazine in 2008.

“The Scirocco is one of the most important cars that we produce. For myself personally, it was a moving moment,” said Autoeuropa Plant Manager, Andreas Hinrichs, as the celebrated car – a Scirocco R 2.0 TSI in Rising Blue Metallic with a Titan Black interior, radio navigation system, Park Pilot and a tilting sunroof – rolled off the production line.

Looking just as good in motor sports as it does on the open road, the racing version of the new Scirocco occupied top ranks at the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring in 2008. The Scirocco GT24-CNG (natural gas) won in the alternative-drive class in its first time at the competition in 2009, and Qatari Volkswagen Motorsport driver, Nasser Al Attiyah, raced to first place in a one-two-three class victory for alternative power cars in May this year.

“The Scirocco has received a tremendous response from our fans across the Middle East since it was launched here in January 2009, and has proved to be particularly popular amongst young professionals. With new versions now available and demand continuing to grow, we expect this niche performance vehicle to keep on performing,” said Stefan Mecha, Managing Director of Volkswagen Middle East.

Not content with resting on its laurels after 36 years as the most successful Volkswagen coupé of all time, the Scirocco has also been available as an R-line version from all Middle East Volkswagen partners since March this year.