The Volkswagen Corrado was a 3-door, front wheel drive, 2+2 compact hatchback developed by Volkswagen and built by Karmann in Osnabrück, Germany. It 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 (this is known as the A2m platform). The Corrado was in production from 1988 through 1995 and reached a production total of 97,521 vehicles according to VWCorrado.de. It shared many mechanical parts with other Volkswagen A platform cars as well. In 1990 the Corrado came to the United States.
The Corrado debuted with two engine choices: a 1.8 L, 16-valve, 4-cylinder with 136 PS (100 kW) as the base model and a supercharged 1.8 L, 8 valve 4-cylinder, marketed as the G60 and delivering 160 PS (118 kW), which was optional in Europe, but was 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".
Volkswagen debuted two new engines for 1992. The first was a naturally aspirated 2.0 L, 16 valve, 136 PS (100 kW) in-line four, basically a further development of the 1.8 L engine. The second was a 2.9 L, 12-valve, 190 PS (140 kW) VR6. The North American market version had a volume of only 2.8 L and 174 PS (128 kW), replacing the G60. 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 mount 6 cylinders into roughly the same space as 4 cylinders. The VR6 and G60 models featured an innovative rear spoiler which automatically raised when the vehicle reached 45mph. This technology has since been seen in many other sports cars.
The Corrado was initially to be the third version of the Scirocco, but because it was heavier and more expensive, Volkswagen changed the name. While some enthusiasts were disappointed by the extra weight, the Corrado still offered exceptional handling 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.
The Corrado was introduced in the United States as a 1990 model, and it was dropped after the 1994 model year. Corrado 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 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). In Germany there was also a special edition called the "jet", the jet was launch 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 know as the "Estoril", featuring Estoril alloy wheels.
Many Corrado owners have constantly upgraded and improved their Corrados and there are a number of supercharged VR6 examples now in existence, many with brakes from more modern cars such as the Golf R32 and Seat Leon Cupra-R. There are also a number of cars with their engine replaced by the ubiquitous VAG 1.8T engine. Some have even been converted to 4WD.
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