It is easy to assume a Volkswagen car is top of its class, for example the Volkswagen Golf has traded on a reputation for build quality, residual values and equipment for several years now. However, the Golf has plenty of worthy competition; the Ford Focus sells in greater numbers and can at least match the Golf's on-road performance, while more budget models such as the Kia Cee'd are catching up quickly. The same cannot be said for the Volkswagen Scirocco, the sporty three-door coupe which shares its underpinnings with the Golf but is targeted at a vastly different driver. The Volkswagen Scirocco is designed for driving fun. Its sleek exterior design is not just to make it look good - although this is a happy side-effect - but also to boost aerodynamics and handling on the road. The result is a premium coupe which is unrivalled in its class and, in terms of value-for-money, can comfortably say it is one of the best cars on the road today. But with the likes of the Hyundai Veloster and Vauxhall Astra GTC arriving in recent months, can the Scirocco keep hold of the crown it has held for so long? Introducing the Volkswagen Scirocco The Volkswagen Scirocco is lower and wider than the Golf with three doors and a roofline that slopes drastically towards the rear of the car. The lower ground clearance makes the car more planted with a lower centre of gravity, while tweaks to the suspension improve handling and give it more on-road performance - although comfort is a little less across bumpy surfaces as a result. Bulging rear headlamps create a distinctive, wide back end and, once inside, the car noticeably widens towards the rear. This helps visibility out of the back but side windows are a little small. However, the car looks great with a poise that hints at extra performance and a sporty silhouette that will please any coupe fan. Inside the car feels like a Volkswagen. The brand is adept at creating an interior that ticks all the boxes with a tidy dashboard layout, premium-feel materials and a weighty steering wheel. There are no complaints about the quality of the Scirocco, although interior quality does not scream desirability for those who want a sportier-feeling car than the Golf. This can be rectified by choosing the sports-packed range-topper, the Scirocco GT, but for most the real value can be found towards the bottom of the range. Volkswagen Scirocco equipment The Volkswagen Scirocco is a car that falls under the £20,000 mark and as a result, entry-level equipment represents excellent value-for-money. The Scirocco offers a touch screen, satellite navigation and 17-inch alloy wheels as standard across all models, while GT versions get climate control, larger, 18-inch alloy wheels and tinted windows as well as leather seats for the interior. At the top of the range, the R Line is more of a hot hatch, adding bodykit, side skirts, 19-inch alloy wheels - although prices sit above £30,000 for this version. Depending on trim chosen, there is a wide range of engines available for the Scirocco including a 1.4-litre TSI which we took out. This is the most frugal of the petrol engines and delivers up to 33mpg. CO2 emissions are 149g/km which is not bad for the performance the car offers. A more powerful 160bhp (ours was the 122bhp version) is also available in the petrol range, while 2.0-litre petrol options include 210bhp and 265bhp variations. The former is available in GT Line or R specification while the latter is offered with R models only. However, for most drivers the 2.0-litre diesel makes more sense with 170bhp or 140bhp, the latter offering 'BlueMotion' badging because of its low CO2 emissions (Band C of UK road tax) but willing performance. On the road As expected the Volkswagen Scirocco is superb on the road. Less comfortable than the Golf over bumps, the Scirocco is brilliant fun to drive. Steering is sharp and the car can be thrown around corners with very little drama. The well-waited steering is responsive and it handles exactly as you would want a coupe to. The Scirocco offers plenty of performance across its engine range with more powerful petrol units bordering on hot hatch territory. Practicality issues aside - the small boot and lack of headroom for rear passengers is an issue - the Scirocco is a very good car, and comfortably a class leader despite a wave of new models trying to take it on. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53-ivzx3KW8
