Volkswagen Corrado

Volkswagen Corrado

Manufacturer	Karmann
Production	1988-1995
Assembly	Osnabrück, Germany
Predecessor	Volkswagen Scirocco
Class	Sport compact
Body style	3-door coupé
Layout	FF layout
Platform	Volkswagen Group A2 platform. (VR6 models utilise components from the A3 platform).
Engine	1.8 L I4 115 hp 1.8 L I4 16-valve 123 or 139 hp 1.8 L I4 Supercharged 158 hp 2.0 L I4 16-valve 134 hp 2.8 L VR6 178 hp 2.9 L VR6 192 hp
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	1989-1992: 97.3 in (2,471 mm) 1993-95: 97.2 in (2,469 mm)
Length	159.4 in (4,049 mm)
Width	1989-1992: 65.9 in (1,674 mm) 1993-95: 66.5 in (1,689 mm)
Height	51.9 in (1,318 mm)
Related	Volkswagen Golf Volkswagen Jetta SEAT Toledo Mk1

The Volkswagen Corrado is a sports car developed by German automaker Volkswagen and built by Karmann in Osnabrück, Germany, between 1 September 1988 and 31 July 1995. In 1990, the Corrado went on sale in the United States.

Originally conceived as a possible successor to the Porsche 944, the Corrado is a three-door hatchback coupé with a 2+2 seating layout. The car's floorpan is based on the A2 platform (i.e. MK2 Golf/Jetta) and with the exception of VR6 models, all versions utilise the subframes, suspension, steering and braking components from the A2 model range. The VR6 utilises 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 wheelarches and liners along with a new front bumper assembly. Together with a new raised-style bonnet to accommodate the VR6 engine, these body improvements were carried across the model range.

Contrary to popular belief, the Corrado platform is not a hybrid of A2 and B3 platform cars. The B3 rear axle (as has been incorrectly understood to be fitted to the Corrado) is in fact a heavier duty item than the A2 and A3 units fitted to the Corrado. This can be confirmed by the VW parts numbering system.

Even to date, enthusiasts and journalists have consistently praised the Corrado for its handling poise, balance and supple ride. Many consider it to be one of the finest handling front-wheel drive cars of its time and the VR6 model was indeed listed as one of the "25 Cars You Must Drive Before You Die" by the British magazine, Car.

All models featured an innovative rear spoiler which automatically raised when the vehicle reached a set speed – 45 to 60 mph (72 to 97 km/h) depending on the region and model. On the BBC television show Top Gear, host Richard Hammond stated that the Corrado "... was too expensive, and nobody bought it", thus it reached a production total of just 97,521 vehicles.

Variants

Launched in late 1988, (three years before the end of Scirocco production) All Corrados were front-wheel drive and featured petrol engines. It debuted with two engine choices: a 1.8 litre, 16-valve, inline-four with 136 bhp (101 kW; 138 PS) as the base model (only available in Europe) and a supercharged 1.8 litre, eight-valve inline-four, marketed as the G60, and delivering 160 bhp (120 kW; 160 PS). 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 litre, 16-valve, 136 bhp (101 kW; 138 PS) inline-four, basically a further development of the 1.8 litre engine; this engine was not made available to the North American market. The second was the highly-regarded 12-valve VR6 engine which came in two variants: a 2.8 litre 179 bhp (133 kW; 181 PS) model for the US and Canadian markets and a 2.9 litre and 192 bhp (143 kW; 195 PS) version for the European market. In the United States the VR6 model was marketed as the Corrado SLC (sport luxury coupe). 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 was revolutionary at the time because it 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 same space that was 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. Canada had 87 VR6 Corrados made for the 1995 model.

Corrado VR6 with standard 15-inch Canadian wheels

Corrado VR6 with standard 15-inch Speedline wheels

A 2.0 litre eight-valve model 115 bhp (86 kW; 117 PS) was produced in Europe in 1995. Production ceased in Europe with 213 models made. Along side this a UK-only limited production model was sold, the Corrado VR6 Storm. Some discreet "Storm" badging, a colour-keyed front grille, 15 inch BBS "Solitude" alloy wheels, and standard fitment of some previously optional items (such as the leather heated front seats) were all that differentiated this model from the base Corrado VR6. Only 500 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.