Volkswagen Scirocco news - Scirocco breaks out - 2008

Time to party like its 1974, Mr Nixon. The VW Scirocco is back.

These are the first official pictures of the Scirocco, set to be formally unveiled in Geneva next week. You weren't meant to see these shots until then, but they've escaped on to the web early and we can bring you all the news on VW's Golf-based three-door.

The Scirocco carries over much of the styling from the Iroc concept that stole the Paris motor show back in 2006, with the exception of that front end, which loses the trapezoidal radiator grille in favour of a wide, evil-looking face. The VW roundel has migrated from the grille up onto the nose, giving the Scirocco a low, pointed face.

It's a smart interior, with white-lit dials and optional, proper, 1970s-style brown leather. Like the Volvo C30, the Scirocco is a strict four-seater, with just two seats in the rear but, we reckon, enough space for a couple of adults. Hopefully with legs.

Mechanically, the Scirocco shares its underpinnings with the Golf GTi. When the Scirocco launches in the autumn, it'll be available with VW's two-litre TFSI engine, which will send power to the front wheels through a six-speed manual - though the DSG 'box is available as an option.

With a 'Sport' button to give more feel through the damping and steering, we'd expect the Scirocco to drive just as well as its hatchier cousin. Seriously well, in other words.

Word is that the Scirocco will cost around £20,500 when it goes on sale later this year. However, in 2009 we'll see a few cheaper, smaller-engined variants, potentially with a new seven-speed DSG transmission.

The Scirocco will live or die by its looks, though, and the TG office is split on the styling. The Iroc was a huge hit... but we're not quite sure whether the production car retains the concept's mojo or whether it's just too toned down. We've got a feeling it won't be quite the style icon of the original Scirocco. 

It's an important question, because VW insiders say that the Scirocco previews the styling of the next-generation Golf, set to arrive at the end of this year. Expect to see an awful lot of that face, in other words.

We'll get a proper look at the Scirocco in Geneva early next week. Check back to TopGear.com for all the latest electronic bulletins through the medium of the interweb.