The Volkswagen Scirocco will be reinvented as a sporty two-door EV coupe for its next generation, and it will be based on the company’s new all-electric MEB platform, Auto Express can reveal. Previewed here by our exclusive images, the Scirocco EV will share many of its components with VW’s forthcoming I.D. family of pure-electric cars. That will allow the new model to keep the current car’s compact dimensions and offer vastly improved interior space. • Best electric cars currently on sale Speaking exclusively to Auto Express, Volkswagen R&D boss Dr Frank Welsch told us that in order to use the Scirocco name – which joined the VW range in 1974 – there were aspects of the new car that would need to remain intact. “For me, we can only use [Scirocco] for a sporty two-door coupe,” he said. “We are not clear on how we will do such a car, and are thinking whether we do an interesting concept based on our electric platform; this could be a great and fun car.” “We are thinking about options for a new small coupe,” he added. “We are working on a concept for emotional cars. Volkswagen always has an offer for emotional cars.”

The Scirocco has been increasingly marginalised in VW’s existing line-up, which is expanding to include a plethora of SUVs. Indeed, the existing version of the sporty hatch, which is now 10 years old, is likely to be dropped altogether, leaving a gap before its electric successor arrives. 4 However, Welsch assured us that the rise in popularity of SUVs and crossovers need not compromise the market for sportier models. In fact, he dismissed the idea that cars such as the upcoming T-Roc could fill any gap left by the ageing coupe. “You don’t buy a Scirocco if you have a family,” Welsch told Auto Express. “[T-Roc] is a four-door, and is absolutely perfect for small families. “If you tell someone, ‘This is a Scirocco’, they have a clear idea of what this should be and of what it should look like,” he said. “If it had totally different proportions from the current car we would not call it Scirocco. It would not fit. It’s like having a new Tiguan concept and calling it ‘Golf’.” By placing it on the brand’s electric MEB platform, designers and engineers would be able to stay true to the existing Scirocco’s sleek styling, while also improving the car’s packaging and interior space.