The Volkswagen Scirocco is proving to be popular with tuners, with German performance shop Caractere also releasing its own hotted-up version of the svelte sports coupe. Caractere’s work on German cars has been well documented, especially some of its creations based on much more expensive vehicles like the Audi A3 and A5.

As for the Scirocco, the fastest model only sports a 200hp (147kW) 2.0L turbo engine so Caractere decided to boost output to the tune of 350hp (257kW). Torque also rises from 207lb-ft (280Nm) to 354lb-ft (480Nm), and the end result sees the coupe accelerate from 0-62mph in less than six seconds. Caractere actually offers a staggered range of upgrades for the Scirocco, with outputs starting at 240hp (176kW) and topping out the aforementioned 350hp (257kW).

The power gains are achieved through a number of methods, including sports exhaust systems, ECU tweaking and uprated turbocharger system. Additionally, Caractere also offers 20in alloy wheels, lowered springs, and a stainless steel muffler.

VW Caractere Scirocco

VW Caractere Scirocco

VW Caractere Scirocco

Source – http://www.motorauthority.com/caractere-joins-growing-list-of-scirocco-tuners.html

“In November Volkswagen unveiled a thinly disguised ‘concept’ of the new Mark VI Golf GTI, one of the most acclaimed hot hatches on the market, and then earlier today the first images of the actual production version hit the web. Following the success of the current-generation Mark V model, there were high expectations for the latest Mark VI model but unfortunately the first tentative details about it are on the disappointing side.

The Mark VI model retains a 2.0L turbo engine but only develops 210hp (155kW) – just 10hp more than the previous model. Top speed has been limited to 148mph (239km/h) and VW claims the car will hit the 62mph (100km/h) benchmark in 7.2 seconds.

According to a new report, VW had a reason to limit the performance of the new Mark VI. That reason is so that it can introduce a high-performance ‘R’ version of the car to replace the outgoing R32.

While it was previously thought that the R label would be used first on a new high-performance version of the Scirocco coupe, Car and Driver is reporting that there will first be a new R-series Golf. Possibly called the Golf R20, the new hot-hatch is expected to deliver 270hp (201kW) and be fitted with a six-speed manual and AWD. A dual-clutch DSG is also expected to be featured as an option. The 0-62mph (100km/h) sprint should fall into the five second bracket and top speed will likely be set somewhat higher than that of the GTI.

The R-series Golf is expected to go on sale in Europe towards the end of the year and be launched in the U.S. in early 2010. The car is expected to make its world debut at this year’s DAC 24-hour race at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Incidentally, VW will reportedly unveil a R-series Scirocco coupe at the same event, details of which you can read in our previous story by clicking here.”

Source – http://www.motorauthority.com/report-volkswagen-planning-golf-r-series-for-us.html