Volkswagen’s Iroc sports car concept, newly revealed in Berlin, harks back to the Scirocco, which was itself introduced back in 1973. Like the Scirocco, the Iroc is a low-slung coupe based on the Golf hatchback, and it even shares the same Viper Green metallic colour scheme which was briefly available on the older car.

Volkswagen Iroco 01.

The Iroc is fractionally larger than the Golf in most dimensions though its roofline is 79mm lower. The honeycomb-like structure of the radiator grille is an obvious reference to the current Golf GTI, but in other respects the Iroc seems to have little resemblance to other VWs.

However, Volkswagen refers to the concept as having a “‘face’ which is not yet common to other vehicles in the range”, which suggests that it is a sign of things to come.

Volkswagen Iroco 02 – Interior.

Inside, there are four seats and a luggage capacity of 300 litres, with more available when the rear seats are folded. This all sounds very practical, but there are sporty connotations here too; the front seats, for example, are in the classic motorsport “bucket” style, and they are fitted with integrated five-point harnesses with a central buckle.

The Iroc’s engine uses Volkswagen’s recently-launched TSI super/turbocharged engine technology, as found in the new Golf GT (see road test). The GT uses a 1.4-litre unit producing 170bhp, but Volkswagen says the Iroc pumps out 210bhp, and also points out that lower-spec TSIs with “under 150bhp” might also be used.

Volkswagen Iroco 03 – Rear.

There is no talk of production just yet. On the other hand, Volkswagen has made some teasing comments, referring to the Iroc as “a possible series-production vehicle” which would be “attractively positioned in price”.