An interesting styling note: This is the first car that I can recall in which the front license plate has been embraced as a styling element, as it has been fully integrated into the design of the grille. In fact, I would venture to say this is perhaps the first car in which—if there were no front license plate—might actually look worse...
I know Audi has played with this idea before, but VW, with this car has taken that idea to a new level.
Snippet: Twincharger and DSG: The Iroc is powered by a TSI engine, referred to in-house as a Twincharger. Shifting tasks are handled by the DSG direct shift gearbox. About the Twincharger: First employed in the Golf GT in 2006, TSI engines are currently the most efficient four-cylinder gasoline engines in the world. The combination of compressor and turbocharger shows the path to the future. The compressor compensates for the typical powering up weaknesses of turbo-only gasoline engines at low rpms. The turbocharger in contrast packs a mighty punch at higher revs. The combination of both superchargers in large-volume production engines is the only one of its kind in the world. The TSI version used in the concept achieves 155 kW / 210 hp. In principle, a large range of supercharged engines are conceivable for the Iroc that could start significantly under 110 kW / 150 hp. But there’s one thing every engine theoretically employed in the Iroc has to guarantee: Driving fun.
Here's Inside Line's take.
Snippet: Twincharger and DSG: The Iroc is powered by a TSI engine, referred to in-house as a Twincharger. Shifting tasks are handled by the DSG direct shift gearbox. About the Twincharger: First employed in the Golf GT in 2006, TSI engines are currently the most efficient four-cylinder gasoline engines in the world. The combination of compressor and turbocharger shows the path to the future. The compressor compensates for the typical powering up weaknesses of turbo-only gasoline engines at low rpms. The turbocharger in contrast packs a mighty punch at higher revs. The combination of both superchargers in large-volume production engines is the only one of its kind in the world. The TSI version used in the concept achieves 155 kW / 210 hp. In principle, a large range of supercharged engines are conceivable for the Iroc that could start significantly under 110 kW / 150 hp. But there’s one thing every engine theoretically employed in the Iroc has to guarantee: Driving fun.
Here's Inside Line's take.
carspy says:
10:02 PM, 08/24/06
I dig it.
jerrywimer says:
08:53 AM, 08/25/06
It's beautiful. But could they pick a nastier color?
I like the way the license plate was integrated. But I don't believe the US spec plate would look as good. I'll go one step further and say that I also think the grill without ANY sort of plate or that black area for the SCIROCCO name would still look even better.
mirth says:
11:05 AM, 08/25/06
Very cool. Just goes to show you where Mercedes might have been if they hadn't fired Bernhard.
ateixeira says:
01:37 PM, 08/25/06
This should be the MkVI GTI, not the Scirocco. The 'rocco should be more coupe-like, lower, dropping rear roof line.
This makes a good GTI, but a lousy 'rocco.
And ditch the IROC label, that's ridiculous.
rsholland says:
04:06 PM, 08/25/06
I gotta disagree. I think this is close to what the original Scirocco was, in terms of concept; a very stylish coupe based on the Golf. The "Iroc" name is just a tease.
mercedesman1 says:
05:36 PM, 08/25/06
I will be greatly dissapointed if this is the final design...or should i be all ready