TRUE sports coupes are thankfully coming back into motoring fashion.
Previously the choice has been sadly limited to only a few such as the Audi TT, Alfa Romeo GT and the BMW 1 Series coupe.
Now there's the arrival of an exciting new competitor who is more than capable of putting the wind up the rest of them.
Like the fierce winds it is named after that sweep across the African deserts the all-new Volkswagen Scirocco is hot, sultry and electrifyingly fast.
The once legendary name is back in business and about to ignite the German giant's sporting pedigree once more.
Alongside the all-conquering Golf GTi the sleek sports coupe ruled the roost for more than a decade before being pensioned off.
Both generation models of the Scirocco were considered the ultimate gentlemen's sporting carriage.
Classy and refined, yet with a rapid turn of pace when pressed into action, it simply dominated the scene and sold in encouraging numbers.
But a hike in insurance premiums some 15 years ago brought on by the antics of the so-called Boy Racers suddenly killed off the market.
Now VW is hoping to rekindle interest in genuine four seater sports coupes with its latest offering.
The automaker first signaled its intentions two years ago when it unleashed the Iroc concept car on an unsuspecting public.
Few actually believed at that time that Volkswagen would give it the green light having watched the brand develop in other directions like the SUV sector.
But the huge interest that the concept sparked when it was shown gave the VW hierarchy plenty of food for thought.
Eventually, it decided to bow to public pressure and sanction the move towards full production.
Without doubt the Scirocco is a striking looking car that turns heads faster than most.
It sits rather squat at the front and gives off a menacing pose of power and poise.
Side on, you see the waistline rise sharply towards a tidy, pert rear hatch.
Everything about it is so visually appealing that you have to pinch yourself to realise that it is real and not just a figment of your imagination.
The interior is equally as impressive with four bucket-shaped seats just waiting to be explored.
You instantly recognise the quality of the trim, the leather used throughout is of the highest standard while the smattering of chrome detailing gives it an expensive look.
The dashboard is well laid out although slightly lacking in imagination but then you can't have everything.
At the heart of the Scirocco is a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol unit first seen in the current Golf GTi.
The powerplant certainly doesn't disappoint offering lashings of pace and versatility.
You can really whip it up into a frenzy as it blasts its way through the six-speed manual gearbox.
Handling and ride are crisp and rewarding especially when the Scirocco is let loose on twisting roads littered with hairpin bends.
With prices starting at just over £20,000 VW can expect brisk business in the coming months as supplies come on stream.