2009 Volkswagen Scirocco

Volkswagen generally focuses less on sports cars than other German automakers, but it has produced a number of classics, and it resurrected one of them when the 2008 Scirocco went on sale in Europe. Originally launched for the 1974 model year as a replacement for the Karmann Ghia, the first Scirocco was sold through 1992 in Germany with one major redesign along the way (it had a shorter lifetime in the U.S.: 1975 - '88). The new version looks very different than the originals, but debuted strongly, with two cars finishing among the top 15 of 200 competitors in the 2008 24 Hours of Nurburgring and very strong European sales.

The new Scirocco gets produced at VW's Autoeuropa plant in Palmela, Portugal, and features one of six engines. Four gas engines are available: three different versions of VW's TSI straight four cylinder, rated at 120, 158, and 200 hp, and the 200-hp 2.0T FSI engine, used in the new GTI, Passat, and Jetta. Both diesels are common rail 2.0-liter TDI engines used in the Tiguan, one rated at 138 hp and one at 168 hp.

Volkswagen initially balked at American interest in the new Scirocco, saying its sales would cannibalize those of the GTI and exchange rates would result in a high price, but recently the rumor mill has suggested that VW might release a limited-edition and higher-hp version in the U.S.

By Steve Halloran