Volkswagen has received quite a bit of flack recently over its 'Polo Confidence' ad campaign. Yes, you know, the one featuring the Jack Russell that appears to be on speed. Despite putting our own mascot Eddie's nose out, we found it quite amusing, just a bit of lighthearted fun implying that you're safer and cooler inside the new Polo than out. Where's the harm in that?

Over the years VW has produced some of the most well thought-out, contemporary ad campaigns around. Whack 'VW ad' into YouTube and you'll appreciate just how many classics there have been over the years. Why, then, a bunch of do-gooders felt that in some way the multi-billion Deutschmark company would risk 'cruelly treating' the little Jack Russell in the commercial I don't know. Too much time on their hands, perhaps? The point I'm trying to make is why can't VW be as controversial, risqué or boundary pushing with the design of its current production car line-up? Well? I'm waiting...

We skimmed the surface in News last month, but looking at more photos of the New Scirocco, well, to put it frankly I think we've all been short changed. If, like Audi (with its hugely successful Mk1 TT), VW had stuck closer to the original (IROC) concept, I can't help but think the car would've been more well received. Honestly, why would you choose the more expensive 'Coupé' over its more complete cousin, the Golf GTI? Well, you just wouldn't. And I use the term 'Coupé' loosely, as to be honest, with its high waistline and small rear screen it looks more like a modern hatchback. Being aimed mostly at the enthusiast market, VW can't even rely on fleet sales to save the day this time.

Here's one for you, try leaving the house or driving to work without seeing at least a handful of TTs. You won't. It will be interesting, then, to see when you spot the first Scirocco and whether it catches on in quite the same way. I hope it does, I really do. Unfortunately, even the name, Scirocco, is going to work against VW. It's not exactly highly regarded by the majority of enthusiasts today. Why VW didn't stick with 'IROC', or at least revive the much-missed Corrado name, I don't know. It just seems the current VW philosophy is all about flashy branding... more of an image thing relying heavily on its highly regarded name and reputation to sell cars than anything else.

Am I the only one that recently clocked the awesome ad for the new Tiguan and thought, yeah, a beefed up baby Touareg, I'd rock one of those? I liked it so much that I even went to view one at my local dealer. To say I was disappointed wouldn't come close, more disillusioned. In the ad the 'truck' appears a whole lot bigger, with loads of attitude when in reality, it couldn't be further removed. Maybe that's why, up until now, I've only seen one Tiguan on the open road...

VW enthusiasts may be some of the most loyal owners out there, but they're certainly not stupid and while well-produced adverts may draw outsiders in, it's not going to cut it with the genuine VW fanatic. Come on VW, pull your socks up, with the sixth generation Golf just around the corner we're expecting big things, but we were after first seeing the IROC concept... and look where that got us.

Elliott Roberts, Editor