Volkswagen Scirocco 16V
By any measure, the 1980s were a watershed decade. From the political (Ronald Reagan's presidency, the collapse of the Berlin Wall, the Tiananmen Square demonstrations) to the cultural (Gordon Gekko, the rise of hair bands, Michael J. Fox's astonishing ascent as matinee idol) to the delightfully absurd (Miami Vice, jelly shoes, astonishgly hairsprayed bangs, Van Halen's shifting lineup, Alf), the 1980s have left an indelible mark on the world in which we live. A weird mark, to be sure, but an indelible one.
So, of all the touchstone events of the 1980s, of all the impactful developments of that wild decade, what was the most significant of them all? Well, that's easy--the mass-market introduction of the 16-valve four-cylinder engine.
Okay, so maybe that's a little over the top--16-valve engines weren't more important than Alf. But if you'll bear with me, I'll explain why I feel this way. Don't worry, I'll try not to get too technical.
The key is this--most engines made in the 1980s and before had two valves per cylinder, one to bring in air and fuel, and another to exhaust the combusted air and fuel. Because the optimal position of the spark plug in the cylinder is in the middle, a two-valve setup results in two big valves that squeeze in on either side of the spark plug and a lot of wasted space. With four smaller valves instead of two, two each for intake and exhaust, the total area of the valves can be increased while keeping the valves themselves small. The benefits are more power, better efficiency, and engines that rev more eagerly.
Okay, enough theory. Before and during the 1980s, most four-cylinder engines were fortunate to exceed 100 horsepower--they were also generally ill-tempered, buzzy, and gutless. Most four-cylinders were lackluster lumps of metal, automotive hair shirts that saved gas at the expense of massive irritation.
Today's four-cylinder engines power virtually every kind of vehicle--economy cars, family sedans, sports cars, and even SUVs. Today's high-performance four-cylinders are bona fide horsepower superstars, but even run-of-the mill family car four-cylinders generate more horsepower than V-8s did in the 1980s, all while consuming dramatically less gas.
The difference between then and now? Today's engines certainly benefit from computerized engine management systems and turbos help out on some cars, but the common foundation is the 16-valve head. The idea isn't new--the highly tweaked Chevrolet Cosworth Vega is just one high-profile example of a 16-valve engine made before the 1980s--but when the decade began this technology was still considered exotic. By the late 1980s, 16-valve fours were at the leading edge of that decade's performance boom. By the 1990s, 16-valve engines were ubiquitous and today the majority of engines, four cylinder or otherwise, sport four-valve-per-cylinder heads.
Volkswagen was among the earliest to push these controlled substances in bulk to a rabidly eager enthusiast marketplace. Thanks to its original 8-valve GTI and Scirocco, Volkswagen already had a small but fierce performance following in the 1980s. Given the excellence of even those underpowered cars, the potential addition of an exotic, high-revving, high-horsepower 16-valve four inspired manic anticipation. The GTI 16V was a nice piece and re-established the GTI at the top of the hot hatch pecking order, but the really remarkable transformation came on behalf of the Scirocco.
The second-generation Scirocco was already a nice sports coupe--a slicker, more substantial, more rounded update of its sharply-creased origami progenitor. Suddenly, with a powerhouse 16V engine, gold BBS wheels, and high-class interior, the sporty Scirocco morphed into a 1980s automotive action hero--an upscale and powerful grand tourer and priced accordingly.
Even today, the 16V Scirocco impresses. The power level is no longer as revolutionary as it once was, but the power level is still modern. Figures of 123 horsepower and 8-second runs from 0-60 don't sound particularly amazing today but were respectable for the time--the Scirocco 16V was as quick as a Porsche 944. More importantly, the 16V engine feels and sounds great, giving a nice snarl as it shoves the car around. The exterior detailing might be a bit dated, but in contrast with today's extremes of overdone and dull, the Scirocco's basic smoothed wedge shape is still lovely in both profile and execution.
Unfortunately, the Scirocco 16V was only produced in a limited run for the U.S.--between the 1986.5 and 1988 model years. Thanks to the 16V Scirocco's combination of rarity and dynamic prowess, nice used 16V Sciroccos are much coveted and eye-wateringly expensive. That's too bad, but at least we can all benefit from the good news--nearly every four-cylinder car has a 16V engine. Power to the people, indeed.
The gorgeous silver 16V Scirocco pictured above belongs to Jan Folkson and was spotted in the photo gallery of Scirocco.org. The red Scirocco came from the same site, but with an unknown owner. The two remaining pictures come from Flickr; the nice juxtaposition of the two Scirocco 16V derrieres comes from Flickr user cybertect, while the stunning sunset silhouette comes from Flickr user Andrew Holliday.
Besides Scirocco.org, another fantastic resource is DriversFound.com, which has original Scirocco dealer brochures and dealer videos. Login and download of the videos is required before viewing, but for anybody who loves or loathes Chris Economaki those dealer videos are great fun.
--Chris H.
That Car Guy on October 22, 2008 at 07:03 PM
Another benefit of 4 valves per cylinder is less mass which, if built properly, allows higher RPM, creating more horsepower and cleaner burning. Variable cam timing doesn't hurt either. Compared to the junk we drove in mid-70s high school, today's cars are from another world.
ALF would be proud. Ha!
That Car Guy on October 22, 2008 at 07:06 PM
Another benefit of 4 valves per cylinder is less mass which, if built properly, allows higher RPM, creating more horsepower and cleaner burning. Variable cam timing doesn't hurt either. Compared to the junk we drove in mid-70s high school, today's cars are from another world.
ALF would be proud. Ha!
Shawn on October 22, 2008 at 07:39 PM
The Scirocco has a great lasting shape, a testament to Giugiaro's design. The 16V model looks especially sharp with the teardrop wheels seen on the top pictures. It's truly a shame the U.S. will not be getting the new Scirocco as I think it presents a pretty compelling alternative to the GTI, just as the original did. I'd give the Volvo C30 (which I also like) a run for its money for sure.
Anthony Cagle on October 22, 2008 at 07:49 PM
Damn you, Hafner. I've had a weird fixation for Sciroccos ever since your first post on them.
I admit the design appeals to me. I don't know why, just the right combination of straight and curved lines. Never ever rode in one though. Closest I came was my brother's Rabbit, his first car.
Chris Hafner on October 22, 2008 at 09:40 PM
That Car Guy: "Variable cam timing doesn't hurt either."
Absolutely - I enjoyed VTEC on my '94 Integra. Truly a quantum leap.
Shawn: "The 16V model looks especially sharp with the teardrop wheels seen on the top pictures. It's truly a shame the U.S. will not be getting the new Scirocco as I think it presents a pretty compelling alternative to the GTI, just as the original did."
The teardrops are nice - but I have an affinity for the BBS wheels (as seen on the red Scirocco above). I've heard they're a nightmare to keep clean, though.
Agreed on the new Scirocco - I understand that it might cannibalize GTI sales, but it's a shame to lose the opportunity to have a unique car like that around. If nothing else, I'd love to share the roads with nouveau Sciroccos for the next 20 years.
Anthony Cagle: "Damn you, Hafner. I've had a weird fixation for Sciroccos ever since your first post on them. "
I just can't decide whether I prefer the original or the Mk. II. The original has the sharply creased lines that I like and a certain purity of form. The second-gen is a little flabbier but just as pleasing. I just can't resist European sports hatchbacks of this vintage. I just can't!
Chris Hafner on October 22, 2008 at 09:40 PM
By the way - I forgot to note this in the article, but that image of the valve arrangement isn't of a Scirocco. I searched for a Scirocco but couldn't find one - instead, this is an image of a modern Nissan V-6 courtesy of Wikipedia, included for illustration.
Kenny Heggem on October 22, 2008 at 11:46 PM
I have a 92 GTI 16v. The last of...well...to me and many other GTI fans..."best" of the breed.
It just does everything well.
Handles like it is on rails, sounds throaty and tough, revs beautifully, and the steering is perfectly weighted. These cars also have an excellent ride...communicative yet practical. Being the 2 liter only offered on Jetta GLI and GTI 16v models in 90-92...it is also a great deal more torquey than the 1.8 liter Scirocco 16v's and the 1st run of MK2 GTI's 1.8 liter 16v's. These 2 liter models came with some of the nicest seats I have ever sat in...real Recaros. The euro headlamps that also came stock on 90-92 model GTI's are HOT. Also they only made about 2000 of them in 91-92...Making them very collectible cars.
I like the shape of the 2nd generation Scirocco...but it was actually an "in house" design...not Giugario like the MK 1 models of the late 70's-82. Isuzu Impulse took on what was supposed to be the MK2 Scirocco.
I always thought the MK1 was far more attractive than the MK2 Scirocco. Although I can readily admit that the 16v model is a close 2nd to an 82 Scirocco S.
Additionally, while the 16v GTI was boxier...it was far more practical and had better headroom/outward vision. Also cheaper than the Scirocco. IMHO..the last of the breed 16v GTI is the coolest VW ever made. Well...next to the Corrado SLC.
rob on October 23, 2008 at 06:34 AM
yep, love 'em
that is why I have an 88 16v 'rocco in the driveway for my younger son. Of course I will have to drive it for a week or three to "make sure it is ready"
Rob
Julie on October 23, 2008 at 07:57 AM
Jans car certainly is sweet and nice to see at Scirocco.orgs yearly GTG. I have a 1981 MKI with a 2L 16v. Power and drives like a skateboard. It truely is a drivers car.
Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame on October 23, 2008 at 07:58 AM
"...sport four-valve-per-cylinder heads."
Ha! Nice pun.
From the cultural side, another great development in the 80s was the unorthodox rise to popularity of Bob Uecker.
Rob the SVX guy on October 23, 2008 at 08:02 AM
One of my favorite cars of all time, and if I found a clean one, probably my next car. Couple things though..
1. Guigiaro didn't design this one. He did design the first one, but his Scirocco II design didn't interest VW, and was sold to Isuzu for the Impulse.
2. Expensive? You can buy a really clean low mileage Scirocco for $3-6,000. You can buy an average Scirocco for around 1500-2500! Seems fairly cheap to me.
What a fantastic car though. I can't wait to own one, someday.
Chris Hafner on October 23, 2008 at 08:17 AM
Shawn: "The Scirocco has a great lasting shape, a testament to Giugiaro's design."
Rob the SVX Guy: "Guigiaro didn't design this one. He did design the first one, but his Scirocco II design didn't interest VW, and was sold to Isuzu for the Impulse."
Yep, this one wasn't a Guigiaro design, though this design is a clear evolution from his original. The Impulse is another favorite and former Car Lust.
http://www.carlustblog.com/2008/03/car-lust--isuzu.html
> Expensive? You can buy a really clean low mileage Scirocco for $3-6,000
Mk. II Sciroccos aren't particularly rare or expensive, but clean unmolested 16V Mk. II Sciroccos are. The few I've found are in the $8-$10K range, which seems expensive to me. But then again my budget sights are lower than most ...
vwDaun on October 23, 2008 at 09:19 AM
One other nit-picking item I'll add has to do with the picture with the two rear ends. The far car is not likely a 16v. The Zender bodykit was standard on most European Sciroccos after (approx) 1985 - it is the same kit that we in the 'States got on our 16v cars. The dead giveaway however is the lack of roof-mounted antenna which was only standard on 16v cars.
Robert Speirs on October 23, 2008 at 12:23 PM
FWIW, I remember several mechanics in the '80s working on Sciroccos commenting on what terrible cars they were, flimsy and poorly engineered. I don't remember if they were talking about the 8v or 16v versions. And they may have been of that fraternity that hates all non-American cars. But that's what I remember about the Scirocco.
D Palmer on October 23, 2008 at 01:07 PM
Give me a Mk1 Scirocco any day. An 80-81 fuel injected Type S please.
The Mk2 might have a better engine (and that is debatable) but the Giugiaro styled Mk1 is a design that looks fresh even today 30+ years after it was introduced.
Rob the SVX guy on October 23, 2008 at 01:27 PM
vwDaun, you are aware that people modify cars right? Especially cool ones like the rocco? Just because it has or doesn't have an option that came on a 16v car says nothing about what type of car it is. Heck, it could be an 8v car with a 1.8T. :P
Bill on October 23, 2008 at 02:29 PM
I bought a 1981 Scirocco S and 10 years later decided to make the "S" stand for something other than slow. A VW mechanic suggested that a 16V transplant would do nicely. He found a wrecked 86 and proceeded to yank out the 81's running gear and install the 86 Sciroco 16V
donor's "organs" into the 81. now this resulted into a Scirocco on Steroids---probably to the limits of the chassis.
But what fun. A 123hp in a sub 2000lb car makes for some great acceleration times--much to the embarrassment of some tricked out Camaros and Firebirds.
Dave on October 23, 2008 at 03:12 PM
I always thought the 1st generation Isuzu Impulse was a better looking car. The 140hp turbo version was about 400 pounds heavier than the 2380-lb. 16v Scirocco however.
Chris16vRocco on October 23, 2008 at 03:12 PM
The cars in the third picture are from the UK. Only 10 16v Sciroccos were sold there (all in left-hand drive), one of them presumably being the one on the left of the photo. The other one is a Scirocco Storm, which was a special edition Scirocco for the UK market that had the same body kit as the 16v, but with an 8v engine. The tipoff is in the paint color and the fact that the rear badges are in the form of stickers beneath the tail lights rather than plastic badges on the hatch.
///M Power on October 23, 2008 at 04:38 PM
Sorry to say, as I am sure you folks love your VWs, but the Scirocco is not really a good example of the potentcy and potential of the 16V engine.
The BMW E30 M3 and the M-B 190 2.3 16V carry the 16 valve 4-cylinder to the peak of development and power producing potential during the 1980's.
The E30 M3 produced almost 200hp from a 2.3L 4 cylinder in stock form. This is about 90 HP/L, with a rev limit of almost 7,000 rpm. This is a far cry above the 123 HP indicated for the Scirocco.
In race trim the BMW S14 and it's M-B equivalent made well over 300 hp.
Chris Hafner on October 23, 2008 at 04:46 PM
//M Power: "Sorry to say, as I am sure you folks love your VWs, but the Scirocco is not really a good example of the potentcy and potential of the 16V engine. The BMW E30 M3 and the M-B 190 2.3 16V carry the 16 valve 4-cylinder to the peak of development and power producing potential during the 1980's."
Those were absolutely great engines and cars - future Car Lusts both. But they were also rare and much more expensive. The whole point of the Scirocco 16V (and GTI) was that they made 16-valve technology more accessible than ever before, in a way that those limited-run homologation specials really didn't.
Those cars will have their time in the sun at Car Lust; this was just the Scirocco's turn.
Mochi Mochi on October 23, 2008 at 08:51 PM
the mk2 is a lovely car, nice lines, very smooth. but the mk1 stole my heart many years ago and will not give it back.
The Original Ian on October 23, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Chris: "The teardrops are nice - but I have an affinity for the BBS wheels (as seen on the red Scirocco above). I've heard they're a nightmare to keep clean, though."
You've heard right. I don't even bother trying to get the RAs on my Jetta perfectly clean anymore. It just isn't worth it.
Rob the SVX guy on October 23, 2008 at 10:22 PM
Yeah, I had some ASAs that looked like that style of BBS. Ugh. NEVER AGAIN WILL I OWN MESH WHEELS. I keep telling myself that, but they look so sweet. Maybe I'll get black ones someday with a polished lip. Then they don't need to EVER be clean.
Steaming Pile on October 24, 2008 at 06:28 AM
The importance of the 16-valve DOHC four-banger cannot possibly be overstated. In 1986, I bought a Dodge Omni. It was my first new car. Back then, the way to get more power into an econo-hatch was to put a bigger engine into it. The 2.2 liter K-car motor was of a fairly modern design, yet had been proven to be a fairly durable powerplant. While merely "adequate" when under the hood of a K-car, it was fairly decent when shoehorned into the engine bay of an Omni. It made 96 horsepower, but it was very front-heavy, moreso than the original Omni with the 1.7 liter Volkswagen engine that sucked. This made it good in snow, but handling suffered.
Our next new car was a 1991 Honda Civic. This car had a 1.5 liter 16-valve engine in it and made 92 HP, if I remember right. Since the engine was less than 2/3 the weight and size of the 2.2 liter K-car engine, 92 HP was way more than adequate to pull a 2100 lb. car. That and the fact that it was built very low to the ground, which is easier to do when the car isn't as heavy, made it really fast and hug the ground like a sports car. I'd buy another '91 Civic hatchback if I could find one that didn't have a bazillion miles on the clock.
Our current car is a 1999 Accord, also with a 16-valve four-banger. Now you can get a four-banger that makes 150 or 160 HP, which is more than my dad's old 1978 Impala station wagon (135 HP on a small block V8), put it in a decent sized family sedan, and still get 30 MPG highway doing 75 with the air on. Our old Omni barely broke 30 running super unleaded (it would ping like crazy otherwise) driving 55 with the cruise control going downhill on I-40 through the Smoky Mountains.
So yes, 16 valves is a big deal. It's practically free power, which is always a good thing.