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Volkswagen calls this striking green beast the "Iroc" concept, but we know it as the new Scirocco.

And that’s not just because “Iroc” is the middle four letters of Scirocco – our sources say this aggressively styled concept car is effectively VW’s new coupé, due at the end of 2008.

VW is hoping that the Iroc can do what the original Giugiaro-designed Scirocco did for it back in 1974 - broadening the brand’s appeal but without the expense of engineering a new platform.

Underneath the Viper Green paint - a color available on the original Scirocco - is the same PQ35 platform that underpins the VW Golf (Rabbit in the U.S.) and new Audi TT. That means we can expect great handling, especially as the Iroc is 10mm shorter, 40mm wider and 85mm lower than the Golf.

Engines and drivetrains are likely to be the same as for the Golf, with front-wheel drive as standard, though there are rumors of a four-wheel-drive version using a 280hp 3.6-liter V6.

Contrary to what you might expect, the Iroc doesn’t use the GTI’s 2.0-liter turbocharged engine – it is pulled along by a tuned version of the Twincharger unit. While current versions of this supercharged and turbocharged engine produce up to 168hp, the unit in the Iroc is said to produce 210hp.

The production Scirocco is also likely to come with an uprated 265hp version of the GTI’s engine, as used in the Audi S3. A diesel is on the cards for Europe, too – most likely a 170hp 2.0-liter common-rail unit. Gearboxes will be either a six-speed manual or optional seven-speed dual-clutch DSG, which makes its debut in the Passat next year.

The Scirocco is likely to be built alongside the Eos in Portugal, with production estimated to be around 60,000 a year - meaning demand is likely to outstrip supply.

The Iroc will be officially unveiled at next month's Paris motor show.

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