The Scirocco has been doing the rounds in the C&P office over recent weeks, rarely spending more than a few days at a time with the same owner. As a result, it’s gathered a assorted belongings including a child’s seatbelt protector in the back, a copy of a British car magazine under the driver’s seat, a folder from a Toyota press conference and a strange black plastic bowl-looking item. Nobody seems to know who any of them belong to.
Not that I’m particularly bothered by this. As I write, the key to the ‘Rocco is safely in my pocket, and I remain extremely happy about it. It’s like a familiar old friend with an excellent knack of cheering me up, whatever the situation. The looks haven’t got old, but I have started to appreciate the coupe side of things a bit more. When the car first arrived I was mildly sceptical of Volkswagen’s claim of it being a coupe, as it appeared to be a straight forward hatchback to me. But the more I consider the visuals, the more I get it, especially after comparing it to our new long-term Golf R. It’s the back end that differentiates it, the way that the hips pinch in, and the roof is much narrower, giving it a more sinewy appearance.
Unfortunately the narrow roof means a compromise in space in the back. It’s not been a problem for Phil McG and his sproglets, but when my parents came to visit from the UK, it proved rather cramped in the back for mother and fiancee. With only two side doors, access to the back means moving forward the seat, and it’s been the only time I’ve cursed the electric driver’s pew. Manual seats can be shonked forwards instantly, but the slow electric whirr seems to take forever, and holding the switch down while waiting for the gap to enlarge enough to accommodate guests is rather tiresome.
Still, the driving makes up for such piddling inconveniences. I still marvel at the front end grip and communication that the Scirocco provides through the steering, and how easy it is to put its 197bhp down, even when exiting the tightest of corners. After a few weeks I’m now in tune with the car enough to be able to apply just the right amount of power without seeing the traction control light flickering away on the dash.
Touch wood, we’ve had no issues with the ‘Rocco at all this month, save for it getting dirty far too often. That’s the trouble with white paint and early morning dust storms >>>
