These are the first pictures of Volkwagen’s new Scirocco R20T. Caught testing at the Nurburgring, this hot coupe will debut at the infamous circuit’s 24 hour race next month with 261bhp.
So this tweaked VW Scirocco has got some extra grunt?
Yes – 261bhp to be precise. As the R20T name signifies, this tuned Scirocco will run a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the same unit that will power the forthcoming Golf R20T and currently sits in the Audi S3.
But while the S3 and R20T Golf will be four-wheel drive, it’s not yet known whether the Scirocco will be. The Scirocco uses the rear axle from the Passat, and there are no current four-wheel drive versions available. Yet with 258lb ft to cope with, we expect power to be sent to all four wheels.
This hotter Scirocco also features a deeper chin spoiler, chunkier side sills to match the curvaceous doors, and a fatter rear bumper, all inspired by the Scirocco Studie R concept. Unfortunately, that car’s huge rear spoiler is absent on the production car though.
The Scirocco R20T will debut at the Nurburgring 24 hour race this May (where Volkswagen will once again compete with a Scirocco GT24 racer), before going on sale in the autumn shortly after the Frankfurt motor show. With Audi’s three-door S3 costing £27,475, expect to pay at least £25k for the R20T Scirocco.