Volkswagen Scirocco could be reborn as electric sports car twinned with Porsche & Audi

The Volkswagen Scirocco could be reborn as an electric-powered 'icon' model.

According to UK publication Autocar [↗], Volkswagen is assessing proposals for a reborn electric Scirocco sports coupe. 

If it is greenlit, the new Scirocco's styling would be inspired by the 1970s original, and it would share a platform with the fourth-generation Boxster/Cayman, fourth-generation Audi TT, and a production version of the Cupra Dark Rebel concept, according to a “high-ranking insider”.

It follows previous comments by Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume, who outlined plans to launch a range of new electric cars inspired by iconic Volkswagen designs – including the Beetle.

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1974 Volkswagen Scirocco

Fourth-generation Scirocco would be an EV

Development of design proposals started shortly after Andreas Mindt, formerly lead designer at Bentley, arrived as head of Volkswagen design.

The new Scirocco would be positioned, as is traditional, above the Golf – which could replace the ID.3 when the electric ninth-generation version launches around 2028.

While previous Sciroccos and Golfs were closely related, the new Scirocco would use the Volkswagen Group's Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture, while the electric Golf will use the unified Scalable Systems Platform.

The switch to a platform shared with Porsche and Audi suggests the new Scirocco might be a sportier proposition than before.

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Cupra DarkRebel concept

The PPE platform eschews the increasingly common ‘skateboard’ format for a design that allows for low door sills and floor height, giving stylists more freedom to create lower, sportier bodies.

It achieves this by packaging the battery within the centre tunnel and behind the cabin, with the aim of weight distribution – and, presumably, handling – akin to the mid-engined layout of previous Boxsters and Caymans.

Expect around 220kW in single-motor form and more than 300kW in the AWD dual-motor model, which could resurrect the Scirocco R badge.

It is understood that PPE will be offered with varying wheelbases and track widths to suit different purposes, as well as both single-motor RWD and dual-motor AWD drivetrains. The Boxster and Dark Rebel would offer two seats on a shorter wheelbase, while the Scirocco would have a longer wheelbase to allow for rear seats.

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Previous Sciroccos, including third-gen R shown here, were closely related to the Golf

The reborn Scirocco could launch around 2028 if the Volkswagen Group's board gives it the go-ahead.

The VW Scirocco sold in Australia from 2012 to 2017 was the first series we received, but it was actually the third generation model.

Named after an African desert wind, designed by Giugiaro, and closely related to the Golf I, the original dropped in 1974, with the second series running from 1981 to 1992.