Volkswagen Scirocco: Which Version to Buy and Why
The Volkswagen Scirocco choice depends on whether you want the lightest classic, the strongest performance, or the lowest measured fuel consumption. The data covers four generations of 3-door hatchbacks: the first generation from 1974 to 1981, the second from 1981 to 1992, and the third from 2008 to 2014 with a 2014–2020 restyling.
The Volkswagen Scirocco choice depends on whether you want the lightest classic, the strongest performance, or the lowest measured fuel consumption. The data covers four generations of 3-door hatchbacks: the first generation from 1974 to 1981, the second from 1981 to 1992, and the third from 2008 to 2014 with a 2014–2020 restyling. Among versions with measured figures, the restyled 2.0 MT Gasoline with 220 hp has the best acceleration and highest top speed at 6.5 seconds to 100 km/h and 246 km/h. For economy, the restyled 2.0 MT Diesel with 150 hp records the lowest combined consumption at 4.2 l/100 km. Buyers seeking the lightest measured Scirocco should examine the second-generation 1.3 MT, with a kerb weight of 830 kg.
Volkswagen Scirocco generations: what changed?
The first-generation Volkswagen Scirocco ran from 1974 to 1981 and included eight versions, all in Hatchback 3-door form. Its Gasoline engines ranged from 1100 to 1595 cc and from 50 to 110 hp. Every listed version was FWD with a 5-speed Manual gearbox, and every engine was naturally aspirated. Ground clearance was 125 mm. Kerb weight, gross weight, tank capacity, and many performance and economy results were not measured, so this generation is best compared through its available engine and performance figures.
The second generation ran from 1981 to 1992, again as a Hatchback 3-door, with eleven versions. Its engines ranged from 1272 to 1781 cc and produced 60–139 hp. All were Gasoline, naturally aspirated, FWD, and paired with a 5-speed Manual. Measured kerb weights ranged from 830 to 970 kg. The strongest 1.8 MT produced 139 hp and reached 204 km/h, while the lightest 1.3 MT weighed 830 kg. Compared with the first generation’s 110 hp maximum, the second generation added 29 hp at the top of the range.
The third generation ran from 2008 to 2014 as a Hatchback 3-door. The database lists fifteen modifications, with twelve shown here. Gasoline and Diesel engines, Turbo boost, Manual and Robotic gearboxes, and 6-speed or 7-speed configurations were available; all listed cars remained FWD. The most powerful shown version was the 2.0 MT or 2.0 DSG Gasoline with 211 hp. This was 72 hp more than the strongest second-generation version.
The third-generation restyling ran from 2014 to 2020 and contained ten versions, still in Hatchback 3-door form. Output ranged from 125 to 220 hp, while the strongest Diesel versions produced 380 Nm. Every listed version used a Turbo inline 4-cylinder engine, FWD, and a 6-speed Manual or 6-speed Robotic gearbox. The 220 hp peak was 9 hp above the strongest pre-restyling version, and the best recorded combined consumption fell from 5.1 l/100 km before restyling to 4.2 l/100 km after it.
Volkswagen Scirocco engine specs and versions
Because identical names occur at different outputs, horsepower and fuel type distinguish them below.
| Generation | Exact version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders/layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 1.1 MT | 50 hp | not measured | 1100 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First | 1.3 MT | 60 hp | 100 Nm | 1289 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First | 1.5 MT, 70 hp | 70 hp | not measured | 1500 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First | 1.5 MT, 86 hp | 86 hp | not measured | 1500 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First | 1.6 MT, 75 hp | 75 hp | 120 Nm | 1595 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First | 1.6 MT, 85 hp | 85 hp | not measured | 1595 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First | 1.6 MT, 110 hp | 110 hp | not measured | 1595 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First | 1.5 MT, 75 hp | 75 hp | not measured | 1500 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second | 1.3 MT | 60 hp | 93 Nm | 1272 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second | 1.5 MT | 70 hp | 108 Nm | 1457 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second | 1.6 MT, 85 hp | 85 hp | 122 Nm | 1588 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second | 1.6 MT, 110 hp | 110 hp | 137 Nm | 1588 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second | 1.6 MT, 72 hp | 72 hp | 128 Nm | 1595 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second | 1.6 MT, 75 hp | 75 hp | 120 Nm | 1595 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second | 1.8 MT, 90 hp | 90 hp | 142 Nm | 1781 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second | 1.8 MT, 95 hp | 95 hp | 139 Nm | 1781 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second | 1.8 MT, 112 hp | 112 hp | 159 Nm | 1781 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second | 1.8 MT, 129 hp | 129 hp | 168 Nm | 1781 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second | 1.8 MT, 139 hp | 139 hp | 168 Nm | 1781 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third | 1.4 DSG, 122 hp | 122 hp | 200 Nm | 1390 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | FWD |
| Third | 2.0 MT, 211 hp | 211 hp | 280 Nm | 1984 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third | 2.0 DSG, 140 hp | 140 hp | 320 Nm | 1968 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Robotic | FWD |
| Third | 2.0 MT, 170 hp | 170 hp | 350 Nm | 1968 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third | 2.0 DSG, 170 hp | 170 hp | 350 Nm | 1968 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Robotic | FWD |
| Third | 2.0 MT, 177 hp | 177 hp | 380 Nm | 1968 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third | 2.0 DSG, 177 hp | 177 hp | 380 Nm | 1968 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Robotic | FWD |
| Third | 1.4 MT, 122 hp | 122 hp | 200 Nm | 1390 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third | 1.4 DSG, 160 hp | 160 hp | 240 Nm | 1390 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | FWD |
| Third | 1.4 MT, 160 hp | 160 hp | 240 Nm | 1390 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third | 2.0 DSG, 211 hp | 211 hp | 280 Nm | 1984 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Robotic | FWD |
| Third | 2.0 DSG, 200 hp | 200 hp | 280 Nm | 1980 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Robotic | FWD |
| Restyled third | 1.4 MT | 125 hp | 200 Nm | 1395 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Restyled third | 2.0 MT, 180 hp Gasoline | 180 hp | 280 Nm | 1984 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Restyled third | 2.0 DSG, 180 hp Gasoline | 180 hp | 280 Nm | 1984 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Robotic | FWD |
| Restyled third | 2.0 MT, 220 hp Gasoline | 220 hp | 350 Nm | 1984 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Restyled third | 2.0 MT, 150 hp Diesel | 150 hp | 320 Nm | 1968 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Restyled third | 2.0 DSG, 150 hp Diesel | 150 hp | 320 Nm | 1968 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Robotic | FWD |
| Restyled third | 2.0 MT, 184 hp Diesel | 184 hp | 380 Nm | 1968 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Restyled third | 2.0 DSG, 184 hp Diesel | 184 hp | 380 Nm | 1968 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Robotic | FWD |
| Restyled third | 2.0 DSG, 220 hp Gasoline | 220 hp | 350 Nm | 1984 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Robotic | FWD |
| Restyled third | 1.4 DSG | 160 hp | 240 Nm | 1390 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Robotic | FWD |
Power per litre helps separate engines that otherwise look similar. The second-generation 1.8 MT with 139 hp delivers approximately 78.0 hp per litre. The third-generation 1.4 MT and 1.4 DSG with 160 hp deliver approximately 115.1 hp per litre. The restyled 2.0 MT and 2.0 DSG Gasoline versions with 220 hp produce approximately 110.9 hp per litre. On this measure, the 160 hp 1.4 versions are the strongest among the listed engines.
Volkswagen Scirocco performance and fuel economy
For outright performance, choose the restyled 2.0 MT Gasoline with 220 hp: it reaches 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and has a top speed of 246 km/h. The 220 hp 2.0 DSG matches its 6.5-second acceleration but reaches 244 km/h. The Manual therefore adds 2 km/h at the top without changing the recorded acceleration.
The pre-restyling 2.0 MT and 2.0 DSG Gasoline versions with 211 hp both reach 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds. Their top speeds are 240 and 238 km/h respectively. Moving to the restyled 220 hp Manual cuts 0.4 seconds from acceleration and adds 6 km/h to top speed.
For a balance of Diesel torque and pace, the pre-restyling 2.0 MT and 2.0 DSG versions with 177 hp and 380 Nm reach 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds. After restyling, the 184 hp Diesel versions retain 380 Nm but reduce that time to 7.5 seconds. Top speed rises from 223 to 230 km/h for the Manual and from 220 to 228 km/h for the Robotic version.
The economy leader is the restyled 2.0 MT Diesel with 150 hp: 5.0 l/100 km urban, 3.8 l/100 km extra-urban, and 4.2 l/100 km combined. Its 150 hp 2.0 DSG counterpart records 5.4, 4.1, and 4.5 l/100 km. The Manual uses 0.3 l/100 km less on the combined cycle while matching the Robotic car’s 8.6-second acceleration; its top speed is 215 rather than 213 km/h.
Among faster Diesel choices, the restyled 184 hp 2.0 MT records 4.4 l/100 km combined, while the 184 hp 2.0 DSG records 4.8 l/100 km. Both reach 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds, but the Manual is 0.4 l/100 km more economical and 2 km/h faster.
The first-generation versions have no measured consumption figures. Performance is also not measured for most of them; the 1.5 MT with 70 hp records 12.5 seconds and 162 km/h, the 1.6 MT with 85 hp records 11.3 seconds and 172 km/h, and the 1.6 MT with 110 hp records 8.7 seconds and 185 km/h.
Volkswagen Scirocco dimensions, weight and tank capacity
Length, width, and wheel sizes are not measured for any listed version. The available comparison therefore concerns weight, ground clearance, and fuel-tank capacity.
The second-generation 1.3 MT is the lightest measured version at 830 kg kerb weight. Its 60 hp output gives approximately 13.8 kg per hp. The strongest second-generation 1.8 MT has 139 hp and weighs 950 kg, improving that ratio to approximately 6.8 kg per hp. This explains the numerical advantage behind its 8.1-second acceleration result compared with 14.5 seconds for the 1.3 MT.
In the third generation, the lightest shown cars are the 1.4 MT and 1.4 DSG with 122 hp, both at 1244 kg. The pre-restyling 211 hp 2.0 MT weighs 1393 kg, or approximately 6.6 kg per hp. The restyled 220 hp 2.0 MT weighs 1369 kg, improving to approximately 6.2 kg per hp; the 220 hp 2.0 DSG weighs 1394 kg, or approximately 6.3 kg per hp.
The first generation has 125 mm of ground clearance, but kerb weight, gross weight, and tank capacity are not measured. Second-generation ground clearance is 125 mm, with gross weights from 1220 to 1350 kg and a 55-litre tank. The shown third-generation versions use a 50-litre tank; ground clearance is 142 mm on the Gasoline versions shown and 113 mm on the Diesel versions shown. Every restyled version has 129 mm of ground clearance and a 55-litre tank, with measured gross weights from 1680 to 1820 kg. The restyled 1.4 DSG kerb weight is not measured.
Which Volkswagen Scirocco version should you buy?
Choose the restyled 2.0 MT Gasoline with 220 hp if performance is the priority. It combines the quickest measured acceleration, 6.5 seconds, with the highest measured top speed, 246 km/h, and the best weight-per-horsepower result among versions with measured kerb weight, approximately 6.2 kg per hp.
Choose the restyled 2.0 MT Diesel with 150 hp for minimum measured fuel use. Its 4.2 l/100 km combined figure is 2.2 l/100 km lower than the 6.4 l/100 km of the restyled 220 hp Robotic Gasoline version. The trade-off is acceleration: 8.6 rather than 6.5 seconds.
Choose the restyled 2.0 MT Diesel with 184 hp when you want stronger performance without giving up low consumption. It produces 380 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds, tops out at 230 km/h, and records 4.4 l/100 km combined. Against the 150 hp Diesel Manual, it adds 34 hp and 60 Nm, cuts 1.1 seconds from acceleration, and uses only 0.2 l/100 km more combined.
Choose the third-generation 1.4 MT or 1.4 DSG with 160 hp if power per litre matters most. Both produce approximately 115.1 hp per litre, reach 100 km/h in 8.0 seconds, and achieve 218 km/h. The DSG records 6.3 l/100 km combined versus 6.6 l/100 km for the Manual, while the Manual weighs 1271 kg versus 1285 kg.
For a classic Scirocco, the second-generation 1.8 MT with 139 hp offers the strongest numbers: 204 km/h and 8.1 seconds to 100 km/h. If minimum weight matters more, the second-generation 1.3 MT is 120 kg lighter at 830 kg, but it gives up 79 hp and requires 6.4 seconds more to reach 100 km/h.
Prices, sale listings, engine oil specifications, engine-number locations, reliability data, and problems are not measured in the supplied data. They cannot support a version recommendation here.