The Volkswagen Corrado is a compact four passenger (2+2), three door, front engine, front wheel drive liftback coupe marketed by Volkswagen from 1988 to 1995, and manufactured by Karmann in Osnabrück, Germany.

Designed by Herbert Schäfer, the Corrado overlapped and eventually superseded Volkswagen's Scirocco model. 97,521 Corrados were manufactured over the seven year production run.

Volkswagen Corrado Mata
Overview
Manufacturer	Volkswagen
Production	1988–1995
Assembly	Germany: Osnabrück (Karmann)
Designer	Herbert Schäfer
Body and chassis
Class	Sport compact
Body style	3-door coupé
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Platform	Volkswagen Group A2 platform
Related	Volkswagen Golf Mk2 Volkswagen Jetta Mk2 SEAT Toledo Mk1
Powertrain
Engine	1.8 L I4 (petrol) 1.8 L supercharged I4 (petrol) 2.0 L I4 (petrol) 2.8 L VR6 (petrol) 2.9 L VR6 (petrol)
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	1989–1992: 2,471 mm (97.3 in) 1993–1995: 2,469 mm (97.2 in)
Length	4,049 mm (159.4 in)
Width	1989–1992: 1,674 mm (65.9 in) 1993–1995: 1,689 mm (66.5 in)
Height	1,310 mm (51.57 in)
Curb weight	1,210–1,274 kg (2,668–2,809 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Volkswagen Scirocco Mk.2
Successor	Volkswagen Scirocco Mk.3

Overview

 

Corrado (rear)

The Corrado's floorpan is based on the A2 platform (i.e. Mark 2 Golf/Jetta) and, with the exception of VR6 models, all versions use the subframes, suspension, steering and braking components from the Volkswagen A2 platform model range.

The VR6 uses suspension components from the A3 model range, including the rear axle assembly and some parts of the A3's 'plus' type front axle assembly. The subsequent wider front wheel track of the Corrado VR6 necessitated the fitting of new front wings with wider wheel arches and liners along with a new front bumper assembly.

The Corrado is noted for its flush mounted windows and active rear spoiler – which raises automatically when the car exceeds 100 km/h (62 mph) (45 mph or 72 km/h in the North American market), automatically retracts at speeds below 25 km/h (15 mph) or can be manually controlled by the driver.

Variants

 

Volkswagen Corrado 16 V

Launched in the end of 1988 (three years before the end of Scirocco production), all Corrados were front-wheel drive and featured petrol engines. The Corrado debuted with two engine choices: a 1.8 litre 16-valve inline four with 136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp) (KR), and a supercharged 1.8 litre eight valve inline four, marketed as the G60 and delivering 160 PS (118 kW; 158 hp).

 

1991 Volkswagen Corrado G60

The Corrado G60 is named for the G Lader with which it is equipped, a scroll supercharger whose interior resembles the letter "G".

There were also two special models of the G60. The G60 Jet was an economy version for the German market only, thought to be a run out model before the introduction of the VR6. This model was only available in four colours and featured a colour coded interior. Sadly, Volkswagen could not confirm production numbers for the Jet model.

Another variant is Volkswagen Motorsport (VWMS) Corrado 16V G60. Although the 16 valve engine combined with the original G-Lader was appreciated within the enthusiast community, the model never saw series production. It is generally believed that only two factory built examples were manufactured, both in Nugget Yellow.

Volkswagen introduced two new engines for 1992. The first was a naturally aspirated 2.0 litre, 16 valve 136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp) inline four, basically a further development of the 1.8 litre engine; this engine was not made available to the North American market.

 

1994 Volkswagen Corrado VR6

The second was the twelve valve VR6 engine, which came in two variants: a 2.8 litre 179 bhp (133 kW; 181 PS) model for the United States and Canadian markets, and a 2,861 cc (2.9 L; 174.6 cu in) producing 190 PS (187 bhp; 140 kW) at 5,800 rpm and 245 N⋅m (181 lbf⋅ft) at 4,200 rpm of torque version for the European market, fuel feed by Bosch Motronic 2.7 fuel injection. In the United States, the model VR6 was marketed as the Corrado SLC (sport luxury coupe).

 

1993 Volkswagen Corrado Cabriolet concept

Upon revising the engine, Volkswagen updated the styling with a new front grill and foglamps. With the introduction of the VR6 engine, the G60 engine disappeared from the North American market after 1992 and European market in 1993. The VR6 engine provided a compromise between 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 space previously occupied by four cylinder engines, while closely approaching the smoothness of a straight six design. 1994 was the last model year of the Corrado in the United States.

A 2.0 litre eight valve model 115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp) was produced in Europe in 1995. A limited edition only for the United Kingdom, the Corrado Storm, was also sold. Some discreet "Storm" badging, a colour keyed front grille, an additional Storm badge on the gear gaiter surround (an upgrade from the standard Karmann badge), 15 inch BBS "Solitude" alloy wheels, and standard fitment of some previously optional items (such as the leather heated front seats) differentiated this model from the base Corrado VR6.

Only five hundred were produced: 250 in Classic Green with a cream leather interior, and 250 in Mystic Blue, a colour unique to the Storm, with a black leather interior. The Campaign model was made only in 1992. It was a VR6 Corrado available solely with Dusty Mauve Pearl Effect paint and a brick red leather interior, and only six were ever produced.

The Corrado was offered in Japan at Yanase dealerships that specialize in North American and European vehicles, offering the 1.8 L engine with either the automatic or manual transmission. The larger VR6 would have been considerably more expensive to tax, as the engine was over two liters' displacement.

Reviews

Auto Express magazine describe it as "Regarded as one of VW’s best ever drivers’ cars". The VR6 model was listed as one of the "25 Cars You Must Drive Before You Die" by the British magazine Car, and 'By far the most desirable version of the Corrado' by Auto Express.

In MSN Autos 'Cool Cars We Miss' feature they listed the Corrado among the top eight "Gone but not forgotten: a short list of cars once loved, still missed", describing it in the following manner: "The VW Corrado VR6 is coveted because of its seductive styling, road handling capabilities and its role as trailblazer, introducing the VR6 to the American market."

In 1988, in the first incarnation of the BBC television show Top Gear, racing car driver and presenter Tiff Needell reviewed the Corrado in G60 form, giving it a positive review and stating that "Handling wise, the Corrado is classic front wheel drive, and it's really very, very good indeed." In November 2003, in Series 3 of the relaunched Top Gear, Richard Hammond identified the Corrado as a future classic, "a kind of classic waiting in the wings... I think it's really rather special... the result is fantastic," but countered with the comment that it "was too expensive, and nobody bought it."