The History Of Volkswagen Corrado

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 Mk2 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. All 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.

All Corrados were front-wheel drive and featured petrol engines. It debuted with two engine choices: a 1.8litre, 16-valve, inline-4 with 136PS (134hp/ 100kW) as the base model and a supercharged 1.8litre, 8-valve inline-4, marketed as the G60, and delivering 160PS (158hp/ 118kW). 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 2.0litre, 16 valve, 136PS (134hp/ 100kW) inline-4, basically a further development of the 1.8litre engine. The second was the highly-regarded 2.8litre, 12-valve, 174PS (172hp/ 128kW) VR6 engine, Specific to the United States. The Canadian and European market versions had a displacement of 2.9litre and 190PS (187hp/ 140kW), 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 2.0litre 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, 15inch 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).

The Corrado was generally well received by the automotive press of its time[citation needed], yet failed to capture the hearts of the general public[citation needed]. A high price tag, coupled with a marque that was not known at the time for producing sports cars[citation needed] caused the Corrado to be looked over in favour of the other similarly priced, better known sports cars of its time[citation needed].

As of more recent years, the automotive press have shown high regard for the Corrado and its capabilities as a sports car. On the BBC television show Top Gear, host Richard Hammond stated that the Corrado "... drives as well as if not better than a lot of current cars" and also described it as "...properly quick". A recent article on MSN Auto lists the Corrado as one of eight "Cool Cars We Miss".