The 2009 Volkswagen Scirocco has come to life from the IROC concept that VW showed us back in 2005. The company claims to have remained true to that design, changing only the grille layout.
The two-door sports coupe has a long roof that will allow it to seat four adults - comfortably, we hope. The Scirocco is similar in length to the Golf/Rabbit, though it's lower to the ground and wider (nearly the width of the Passat).
The driver and up to three passengers each get their own sport seat that can be trimmed in black or brown leather; Alcantara and leather is also an option. With the rear seats up, visibility looks to be blocked by the fixed headrests, which is why you'll see parking sensors on the Scirocco's rear fascia. Cargo capacity also suffers at the hands of the styling gods, going from 27 cubic feet in two-place mode to 10.3 with the rear view blocked.
A total of four turbocharged engines will be available - three gas and one diesel. Power output ranges from 120 to 197 hp in the gas TSIs, while the TDI makes 138 hp. Displacements haven't been disclosed, but we guess that these will be similar (if not identical) to those motors offered in Volkswagen's other small cars. All cars get a 7-speed DSG transmission and 17-inch wheels.
Though based on the Golf/Rabbit, VW will offer "numerous innovative technologies" on the Scirocco, including adaptive chassis control, to set it apart from its siblings. A panoramic sunroof is also standard.
History buffs will be interested to note that the original Scirocco debuted 34 years ago, also in Geneva. Another piece of trivia: the Scirocco and New Beetle are the only Vdubs to wear the company's logo on their hoods; all others have grille-mounted badges.
Click the links below for high-resolution Scirocco images, as well as our drive of the IROC concept.