VW Corrado

File:Volkswagen-Corrado-'91.jpg

1991 Volkswagen Corrado

The Volkswagen Corrado is a 2-door, 4-passenger compact sports car developed by Volkswagen and built by Karmann in Osnabrück, Germany. It used Volkswagen's A2 platform, which it shared with the then-current Golf/GTI and Jetta. VW reached deep into it's parts bin, borrowing passive wheel steering from the then current passat model, tranforming the handling of the vehicle. The Corrado was in production from 1988 through 1995 (sold from 1989 to 1994 in North America) and reached a production total of 97,521 vehicles according to VWCorrado.de. It shared many mechanical parts with the other Volkswagen A platform cars as well.

The Corrado debuted with two engine choices: a 1.8 L, 16-valve, 4-cylinder wth 98 kW (133 hp) (available only in Europe) and a supercharged 1.8 L, 8 valve 4-cylinder, marketed as the G60 and delivering 160 hp (118 kW), which was optional in Europe, but the only engine option for North American buyers. The G60 is named for the G-Lader with which it is equipped, a supercharger whose interior resembles the letter "G". In Europe, the G60 engine was also available in limited numbers in the VW Passat and the VW Golf. and a similar, but smaller G40 equipped engine was available in the VW Polo. Volkswagen contined to offer the G60 supercharged engine in European markets through 1992, but only in limited number.

Volkswagen debuted two new engines for 1992. The first was a naturally aspirated 2.0 L, 16 valve, 100 kW (136 hp) inline four, basically a further development of the 1.8 L engine, again available only in Europe. The second was a 2.8 L, 12 valve, 130 kW (174 hp) "VR6" six cylinder, given the "VR" designation because of it's extremely narrow angle (German for Vee-Reihenmotor). European market VR6 motors had a volume of 2.9 L and 190 hp (140 kW). The extra .1 of a litre, more of a marketing ploy (a little torque is gained), the additional power achieved through a free flowing 2.5" catalytic converter, enlarged inlet manifold and larger throttle body. It was revolutionary at the time because it combined the benefits of V-shaped and straight (Reihen) engines by placing the two cylinder banks at an angle of 15 degrees with a single cylinder head. The design allowed engineers to mount the 6 cylinders into roughly the same space required of 4 cylinders.

The Corrado is considered by most critics as the best handling front wheel drive car of the late 80's and early 90's, and was listed as one of the "25 Cars You Must Drive Before You Die" by the British magazine, Car. Many owner clubs exist around the world and owners still enjoy its prodigious capabilities.

Corrado production ceased in europe with the UK only limited production, the Corrado VR6 Storm.

Corrado VR6 Storm parked outside Longleat House, Wiltshire, UK.

Some discreet badging, color keyed front grill amongst other minor options 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).