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Dubai, 8 November 2009 - In 1974, Volkswagen democratised the world of sports cars with the introduction of the first generation of the Scirocco. The Scirocco was designed to be a safe, fuel-efficient, affordable sports car that could be fit for year-round everyday use. Since then the Scirocco has evolved, leading to the launch of its third generation incarnation that was unveiled in the Middle East earlier this year.

Today, Scirocco, a name that refers to a hot desert wind that the Sahara sends in the direction of the Mediterranean, stands for a true cult car.

The Scirocco debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in 1974. It succeeded the Karmann Ghia, internally designated the Type 14, that since 1966 had written automotive history with a fascinating design and proven Beetle technology and affordable prices. Like the Type 14, the Scirocco, developed under the code name EA398, was created at Karmann in Osnabrück, Germany.

While the Karmann Ghia tended to appeal to female customers, the Scirocco, designed by Italdesign in Turin, appealed equally to female and male car drivers. This was due to its clear, defined edges, emphatic wedge shape, low belt line and taut rear end, of which the design originated from the same form language that Giorgio Giugiaro also favoured for the first Golf.

In 1976, Volkswagen achieved a marketing coup. Volkswagen Motorsport in Hannover issued a special series of 50 identical cars for the newly established Junior Cup. Beginning in the summer of 1976, Volkswagen offered the 110hp engine in the Scirocco GTI for regular street use. The GLI version also had 110hp under its flat hood, but it emphasized luxurious attributes with its bronze tinted windows, high-end fabrics and metallic paint. For the 1978 model year, Volkswagen subjected the Scirocco to a careful model facelift. The engine line-up was now 50hp, 70hp and 110hp.

The second generation Scirocco was based on the engineering platform of the Golf I; like its predecessor, it was being produced again at Karmann. The overall softer lines of the Scirocco II had a very elegant effect and also offered more space for people and luggage. In addition, aerodynamics was further optimized and more fuel-efficient powertrain technology was introduced. In July 1985, the most powerful production Scirocco of its times appeared: the GTI/GTX could move at 208 km/h with a 1.8 litre, 16-valve engine and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.1 seconds.

From 1983 to 1987, Volkswagen introduced a number of special models onto the market within a short period of time. In 1985, Volkswagen demonstrated – with its special edition “White Cat” which was only available in “Alpine white” – that the trendy colour white was not just a phenomenon of our times. The Scirocco “Tropic” of 1986, on the other hand, made a colourful impression with the colours “Madison turquoise” and “Kiwi brown” on the outside; inside it had seat covers with “Olive/turquoise” stripes. A special attraction of the “Scala”, launched in the same year, was its all-around spoiler/body kit painted in car colour.

The Scirocco has been in the spotlight at a cult event for car enthusiasts in Austria, where Volkswagen presented the world premiere of the racing version of the Scirocco GT24 with the blue-white finish that sits so low on its extended wheel. The race car remained unmistakably a Scirocco from every angle; however the racing version was produced even wider, longer and lower than the original manufactured Scirocco. The 325 hp Scirocco draws its power from only two litre displacement: the 16-valve direct injection engine with a turbocharger and intercooler delivers its maximum torque of 340 Newton metres beginning from only 2,100 rpm. Gear changes are executed by a dual clutch gearbox (DSG), which is also available for the production model.

Car enthusiasts and Scirocco fans will have the opportunity to see the special race edition of Scirocco GT24 which will be showcased at the 2009 Dubai International Motor Show, taking place from 15 – 20 December 2009.