Volkswagen began work on the car during the early 1970s as the replacement for the aging Karmann Ghia coupe, and designated it the Typ 53 internally.

[4] Launched six months before the Golf, in order to resolve any teething troubles before production of the high volume hatchback started,[5] the Scirocco went on sale in Europe in 1974 and in North America in 1975.

[9] Its high-revving, 81 kW (109 hp) 1.6-litre engine featured mechanical fuel injection, 175/70HR13 tires on 5.5Jx13 wheels, a larger duckbill style front spoiler, a red frame for the grille, and the standard car's solid front brake discs were replaced with 239 mm (9.4 in) ventilated discs.

[10] In August 1977 (for model year 1978) the separate front side marker and turn signal, changed to a combination wrap-around orange lens.

This "S" model differed from the base model by having blacked out chrome trim, day glow additions to the exterior trim, Recaro designed sports seats, white letter tires, sport strips and a standard five-speed transmission.

The Scirocco was sold in Japan at Yanase dealerships that specialize in North American and European vehicles with right hand drive starting in 1976, initially offering the TS trim package with the 1.5-liter engine and a 4-speed manual transmission.

A heavily redesigned "Type 2" variant (internally designated Typ 53B) went on sale in 1981, although it remained on the A1 platform.

A mid-cycle update occurred in 1984, which included minor changes over the 1982 model: removal of the outlined "SCIROCCO" script from the rear hatch (below the spoiler), a redesigned air conditioning compressor, and a different brake master cylinder with in-line proportioning valves and a brake light switch mounted to the pedal instead of on the master cylinder.

Leather interior, power windows and mirrors, air conditioning, and a manual sunroof were options for all years.

The Scirocco was briefly joined but effectively replaced by the Corrado in the VW line-up, although this had been on sale since 1988 and was aimed further upmarket.

Sales continued until 1988 in the United States, 1989 in Canada, being effectively replaced in both markets by the more expensive Corrado.

Volkswagen officially announced in June 2006 production of a new Scirocco model at the Autoeuropa assembly plant in Palmela, Portugal.

The new model, identified by the internal type numbers 137 or 1K8, is based on the PQ35 platform of the Golf V and was unveiled at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show.

The 2008 model of the Scirocco received a five star safety rating from Euro NCAP even after the driver test dummy's head hit the steering wheel when the airbag bottomed out.

The model tested was a left-hand-drive three-door hatchback and scored in four areas: In 2011, Volkswagen added the R-line trim for all engine versions of the car.

Its 1,984 cc (2.0 L) TSI straight-four engine is rated at 195 kW; 261 hp (265 PS) at 6,000 rpm and 350 N⋅m (258 lb⋅ft) of torque at 2,500 rpm, large air intake openings in the front bumper, an integrated front spoiler, bi-xenon headlights, larger rear roof edge spoiler, black diffuser, dual exhaust with chrome tailpipes, Talladega 19-inch alloy wheels.

[20] In September 2014 the R model had a face lift on the styling of the car and a power increase taking it to 206 kW; 280 PS (276 hp).

[22] On the outside the changes weren't obvious as Volkswagen installed only a slightly re-profiled bumper, new bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights and they also tweaked the grille.

The direct competitors, two Opel Astra H GTC driven by drivers selected from 18,000 hopefuls in a year-long TV covered process, were beaten decisively.

[27] In early March 2008, MotorAuthority reported that, due to the increasing gap between the United States dollar and the euro, the Scirocco would not be made available for American consumers.

A concept car previewing the then upcoming Scirocco III was unveiled at the 2006 Paris Motor Show.

[31] It has a 2.0 L TSI engine rated at 270 PS (199 kW; 266 hp), six-speed dual clutch transmission, four-piston brake calipers and a sound-optimized exhaust system with oval tailpipes.

[34] In 2020, when asked if a new Scirocco was planned, board member Thomas Ulbrich answered "I don't think so", and that they were in no rush to release a new coupé.