Once underway, the speed of Volkswagen’s transformation from a company with a single rear-engined model line to one with an all front-wheel drive line-up was startlingly rapid. The Scirocco was an appealing and delightful small coupe that proved that front-wheel drive could be a huge amount of fun – even when modestly powered. First in Volkswagen’s new front-wheel-drive generation, the Scirocco emerged as a smart and desirable Capri alternative. Styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro and engineered by Audi, it was a major departure for the Wolfsburg company that previewed the ultra-successful Golf’s front-wheel drive platform.
In injection form (it shared its engine with the Golf GTI), it was quick and flighty, and handled in a tidy fashion. Cramped interior was not such a problem for coupé buyers, but rot-prone body would prove to be a major bugbear a few years down the line. An all-time classic, especially in run-out Storm specification. Words by Honest John
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