THE VOLKSWAGEN Scirocco R20 is the first in a new line-up of high-performance models to pursue greater speed by shedding weight instead of increasing power. It uses a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine rather than the six-cylinder units familiar in Golf R models of recent years. The engine – reworked from the last Golf’s direct-injection 2.0-litre – is more efficient and powerful, with 261bhp.
A six-speed manual transmission will come as standard, but a version with DSG is also available. It has front-wheel drive rather than four-wheel, which helps keep the weight down to 1,353kg – much lighter than even a Focus RS. This means the Scirocco R20 can sprint from 0-100km/h in 6.4 seconds, but can return 8.3L/100km.
The R20's chassis has also been upgraded with a lowered suspension, stiffer springs and performance dampers. There are bigger wheels and a retuned version of VW's Adaptive Chassis Control designed to suit the R's performance nature. The GTI's electronic differential has also been reworked to suit the engine's power delivery.
Outside, there are new bumpers, deeper side sills and smoked headlights. The R20 is not expected in Ireland until the end of the year.
Free high-visibility vests to reduce deaths among older pedestrians
IN A JOINT initiative with Age Action Ireland and the Irish Pharmacy Union, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has announced it will distribute 200,000 high-visibility vests free with the aid of United Drug to promote road safety among older people.
The venture comes four months after the RSA launched a similar campaign targeting rural pub-goers, whereby over 30,000 high-visibility vests have been distributed to 4,200 pubs nationwide.
Over the period 1997 to 2007, almost a third (31 per cent) of pedestrians killed were aged 65 or over. Pedestrians walking in the dark on rural roads are 13 times more likely to be killed than while walking during the day.
Second outing for CLK
THE MERCEDES CLK name may reappear on a C-Class-based coupé in 2011, according to reports in a French car magazine.
Although the CLK has recently been replaced by the new larger E-Class coupé, the name could be revived for a car that would fill the gap between the E-Class and the CLC.
Mercedes is likely to position the new CLK to compete with the lower end of the BMW 3-Series Coupé range.
It is expected that the CLK’s styling would retain much of the front and rear design from the C-Class, but lose the rear doors.
It is also likely to borrow certain engines from the range, including Mercedes-Benz’s new 2.2-litre turbodiesel.