Volkswagen will later this year launch a 265hp version of its stylish coupe with a new engine, hotter handling – and even sharper styling.

  See more pics of the Scirocco in our gallery below!

If you like the look of the Scirocco but wish it was even sportier to drive, then VW has the car for you.

The forthcoming R model will be the most powerful and fastest accelerating Scirocco ever produced – and looks certain to become one of the hottest, most desirable hatches on UK roads.

The new car will also have XDS, the electronic cross-axle traction control system fitted to the Golf GTI, which boosts grip in all conditions.

At the car’s heart is a heavily revised 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine. The block has been reinforced with an entirely new alloy head, uprated pistons, and high pressure injectors.

New intercooler

An uprated turbocharger is joined by a new intercooler to cope with the extra heat generated.

The result is 265PS and 258 lbs/ft of torque – a rise of 65PS and 51 lbs ft over the Scirocco’s current 2.0-litre TSI engine. Drive is channelled through the front wheels via a six-speed manual or DSG gearbox.

As with the rest of the Scirocco range, the Scirocco R is fitted with Adaptive Chassis Control (ACC).

This allows the driver to select from normal, comfort or sport modes to define the desired suspension, steering and accelerator response settings for the conditions and journey.

Uprated braking system

The braking system has also been uprated with larger discs and callipers, the latter finished in gloss black.

The mechanical changes to the Scirocco R are joined by a purposeful new look. The new front bumper, featuring a set of LED running lights, is dominated by a trio of deep airdams while the Xenon lights, fitted as standard, frame a new gloss black grille element set into which is a single ‘R’ badge.

Further back, the mirrors are capped in gloss black while the rubbing strips which run down either side of the standard Scirocco have been removed to be replaced by a set of body-coloured side skirts.

Glossy finish

The rear of the Scirocco R features smoked rear light lenses and a new, rear spoiler along with a prominent diffuser finished in gloss black mounted between a pair of new oval tailpipes.

The Scirocco badge and engine designation are both deleted in favour of the Volkswagen badge and a single ‘R’ logo. Completing the changes are a set of 18-inch five-spoke wheels with 19-inch versions available as an option.

The uprated look continues inside the Scirocco R, with new sports seats complete with ‘R’ logos, a gloss black finish, and new three-spoke flat-bottomed steering wheel.

By Peter Carroll