Scirocco History & Info

1975-1977

Following the demise of the Karmann-Ghia, Volkswagen needed another sporty model and found it in the Scirocco hatchback coupe, named for a North African wind. "German sportscar, Italian style" was the slogan. Like the Rabbit and the Dasher, this one was front-wheel drive. After one year with a 1471-cc engine, the Scirocco adopted a larger (1588-cc) four. Styling features included quad round headlamps and a short tail. Standard equipment by 1977 included tinted glass, styled wheels, a clock, reclining bucket seats, and a rear defogger.

1978-1979

A smaller (1457-cc) engine was installed in the 1978 Sciroccos, but the 1588-cc four returned by the 1979 model year. A new polyurethane-coated front bumper extended back to the front wheel openings, and new black metal moldings went around the side windows. The Scirocco grill was restyled, and a woodgrain instrument panel added. A Limited Edition Scirocco offered in 1978 included body striping and a spoiler. The 1979 model added a bright molding surrounding the grill. By then, either a four- or five-speed manual gearbox was available. A three-speed automatic also was optional, as before.

1980-1981

Production of the sporty coupe continued with minimal change, with a 1588-cc engine under the hood. Europeans could get a turbo Scirocco, but that wasn't ready for America. A larger (1.7-liter) engine became standard in 1981.

1982

Mechanical details changed little, but the sporty Scirocco coupe wore an all-new, more rounded body created to reduce air drag. Wheelbase remained the same, but the car grew in overall length, which added space to the rear seat area and luggage compartment. Expanded window area included a deeper back window, which curved downward to reach the hatchback door. A small under-the-bumper lip spoiler was installed up front. Standard equipment included power brakes, electric rear defroster, tinted glass, remote driver's mirror, AM/FM stereo radio with cassette player, reclining front buck seats with height adjuster, front/rear spoilers, and a four-spoke sport steering wheel. A GL option package included power windows, power remote mirrors, and a power antenna.

1983

VW's sporty coupe continued with no significant change, riding a Rabbit/Jetta chassis and powered by the 1.7-liter fuel-injected four. Standard equipment was similar to the 1982. Scirocco bodies were built by Karmann.

1984

A 1.8-liter engine had become standard in Scirocco durning the 1983 model year, along with a close-ratio five-speed gearbox.

1985-1986

Little was new for VW's sporty coupe except for the addition of black bumpers and a larger rear spoiler, the latter included with the Wolfsburg Limited Edition model.

1987-1988

A stronger engine was installed in the 16v edition of Volkswagen's sport coupe, rated 123 horsepower with a 16-valve configuration. Base Sciroccos retained the 90-bhp engine. The Scirocco remained available into 1988, but then was dropped.

Flammang, James M. Standard Catalog of Imported Cars 1946-1990. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications, Inc., 1994.