Volkswagen Corrado

Volkswagen Corrado
Manufacturer	Volkswagen
Production	1988-1995
Predecessor	Volkswagen Scirocco
Class	Sport Compact
Body style(s)	3-door coupé
Layout	FF layout
Engine(s)	1.8 L I4 1.8 L I4 Supercharged 2.0 L I4 2.8 L VR6 2.9 L VR6
Transmission(s)	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Related	Volkswagen Golf Volkswagen Jetta

The Volkswagen Corrado is a hatchback coupé developed by German automaker Volkswagen and built by Karmann in Osnabrück, Germany between 1988 and 1995. Conceived as a successor to the successful Scirocco, it is a three-door hatchback with a 2+2 seating layout. The Corrado used Volkswagen's B3 platform in the rear of the car, while using the A2 platform technology up front, which it shared with the then-current Golf and Jetta. It shared many mechanical parts with other Volkswagen A platform cars as well. In 1990 the Corrado went on sale in the United States. The Corrado offered exceptional handling for its time and was listed as one of the "25 Cars You Must Drive Before You Die" by the British magazine, Car. SLC models featured an innovative rear spoiler which automatically raised when the vehicle reached a set speed (45–65 mph depending on the region). Perceived as too expensive, it reached a production total of just 97,521 vehicles according to VWCorrado.de. However, many owner clubs exist around the world and it has become something of a modern classic.

Variants

All Corrados were front-wheel drive and featured gasoline engines. It debuted with two engine choices: a 1.8 L, 16-valve, straight-4 with 136 PS (100 kW) as the base model and a supercharged 1.8 L, 8-valve straight-4, marketed as the G60 and delivering 160 PS (118 kW). The first engine was initially available only in Europe. The G60 is named for the G-Lader with which it is equipped, a scroll supercharger whose interior resembles the letter "G". Volkswagen introduced two new engines for 1992. The first was a naturally aspirated 2.0 L, 16 valve, 136 PS (100 kW) straight-4, basically a further development of the 1.8 L engine. The second was the highly-regarded 2.9 L, 12-valve, 190 PS (140 kW) VR6. The North American market version had a displacement of 2.8 L and 174 PS (128 kW), which was sold side by side with the G60 for 1992. The G60 was dropped from the U.S. line-up the following year. The VR6 was revolutionary at the time because it combined the benefits of both V-shaped and straight engines by placing the two cylinder banks at an angle of 15° with a single cylinder head. This design allowed engineers to fit a six-cylinder engine into roughly the same space that was previously occupied by four-cylinder engines. Another unique model sold in the UK, called the Campaign Edition, was sold in 1992 and fitted with a VR6 engine. The Campaign edition was fully optioned and they were all Dusty Mauve with tan and brick red custom leather interiors. In Germany there was also a special edition called the "jet"; the jet was launched in 1991 and ran 1992 and featured a special interior and the G60 Engine. These are very rare outside Germany. In Italy there was a model known as the "Estoril", featuring Estoril alloy wheels. In a last-ditch attempt to popularize the car, a 2.0 L 8-valve model was produced in Europe in 1995. Its uninspiring performance did not make up for the impressive standard spec and lower price, and production ceased in Europe with the UK-only limited production model, the Corrado VR6 Storm. Some discreet "Storm" badging, a colour-keyed front grille, 15 in BBS "Solitude" alloy wheels, and standard fitment of some previously optional items (such as heated leather and cloth seats) were all that differentiated this model from the base Corrado VR6. Only 500 were produced, 250 in Classic Green, and 250 in Mystic Blue (unique to the Storm).

External links

• The Corrado VR6 Information Site

Corrado Clubs:

• Corrado World - Registry, Technical, etc
• The VR6 Owners Club
• North America'

• Corrado Club of America
• Corrado Club of Canada

• Europe

• The Corrado Club of Great Britain
• Corrado Club Germany
• CCN Corrado Club Nederland (Dutch)
• Corrado Club Spain
• Corrado Club Sweden