THE third generation of Volkswagen's Scirocco was launched globally six years ago, resurrecting a nameplate that had been dormant for 15 years.

Australia would have to wait even longer, with the Golf-based coupe not getting its first Australian market foray until four years later, in 2012, when the deal was done to bring it Down Under in its scorching R guise only.

Monthly sales dropping from the first year average of 60 a month to below 20, a refreshed version will arrive early next year charged with the task of invigorating sales.

Neither a performance boost or adoption of the grippy Golf R four-wheel drive system are bargaining chips for the 2015 version, and it will instead attempt to entice new buyers with a mild facelift and a dusting of new equipment.

We got behind the wheel of Volkswagen's revised three-door to see if the recipe of GTI performance and jaw-dropping looks can continue the Scirocco mantra.

Click here for the full review...