Order books have opened for the new Scirocco at Volkswagen retailers.

Prices for the new car, which goes on sale on 1 September, have also been announced and start at £20,940 for the launch model Scirocco GT 2.0-litre TSI with 200 PS.

The original Scirocco was first seen 34 years ago and over two generations and 19 years a total of 77,460 Sciroccos were sold in the UK.

The 2.0-litre turbocharged engine – already popular in the Golf GTI – produces 207 lbs ft of torque from 1,700 rpm and allows the Scirocco to achieve a 0 to 62 mph time of 7.2 seconds before reaching a top speed of 146 mph.  The combined economy figure for the vehicle is 37.2 mpg, with CO₂ emissions of 179 g/km.

Early in 2009 a further two engines will join the Scirocco line-up: a 1.4-litre TSI 160 PS petrol and a 2.0-litre TDI common rail diesel unit with 140 PS and a combined economy of around 52 mpg.  Both will come as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox, while the 1.4-litre TSI will also be offered with Volkswagen’s new seven-speed DSG ’box.

Two trim levels will be available – standard Scirocco and Scirocco GT.  The launch engine is only available in combination with GT trim, giving customers a high level of standard specification which includes ABS with ESP, six airbags, touchscreen CD autochanger, climate control, 18-inch ‘Interlagos’ alloy wheels, front foglights and a multifunction steering wheel among a host of other items.  Options are set to include a panoramic tilt sunroof, leather trim and touchscreen satellite navigation.