We’ve been scooping the new hot Scirocco, tipped to be called R20T, for nearly a year now – and the wait is nearly over. In the next few weeks we’ll see it for real, but this is our best look yet at the new VW Scirocco R20T.
Cunningly disguised as a Scirocco GT24 race-car, which will compete in next weekend’s Nurburgring 24-hour race, this is in fact the roadgoing version which will be unveiled at the event. Hence the decals and sponsors tags to put the ’Ring paparazzi off the scent. But not our eagle-eyed lensmen!
VW Scirocco R20T: are you sure?
Oh yes. We can confirm this isn’t the race-spec GT24, which will race in blue (three regular petrol powered GT24s with 311bhp) and red (a pair of orangey/red GT24-CNG models running on compressed natural gas). You can watch CAR Online’s video from last year’s 24-hour race here to find out how the Sciroccos fared in 2008.
Strip away those stickers, pop on some production rims and this is the roadgoing R20T. That means a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 261bhp will power the front wheels – enough for 0-62mph in around 6.5sec and a top whack limited to 155mph.
Our spy photos reveal chunky twin exhaust pipes astride an increasingly fashionable diffuser style rear tray, while deeper side sills and a reprofiled front chin with more scoops than Mr Whippy complete the cosmetic makeover.
Click on our previous scoops to the left for more background on the fastest R-badged Scirocco.