Model Page
Volkswagen Corrado VR6
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Produced: |
1988 - 1995 |
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Production Run: |
- |
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Built: |
Osnabruck Germany |
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Engine: |
Volkswagen VR6 12 valve |
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0-60: |
6.4 secs |
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Max Speed: |
146mph |
Corrado VR6
The Volkswagen Corrado was a replacement for the Volkswagen Scirocco and was built by the well known independent German car manufacturer ‘Karmann’ between 1988 and 1995. The Corrado incorporated parts from various Volkswagen cars of the era. Volkswagens B3 platform was utilised on the rear of car while their A2 platform was installed at the front. The B3 platform was also used on the Volkswagen Passat in 1988 and was Volkswagens first independently designed platform. Previous platforms had shared parts with Audi vehicles. The suspension incorporated trailing arms with track-correcting bearings, torsion bean axle and anti roll bar. The A2 platform however was first seen on the MK 2 Golf and Jetta 2. It could only be applied to vehicles with front mounted transverse engines. This suspension featured MacPherson struts with Sachs dampers and coil springs, lower wishbones, anti roll bar and a track stabilising steering geometry. Critics at the time were impressed by the cars handling.
2.9 ltr Engine Bay
All models including sported a rear spoiler that would rise when the car reached a pre-determined speed of 45 mph and would retract when the car dropped below 12 mph. All were front wheel drive and featured petrol engines. 1992 saw the introduction of the VR6. Interestingly the VR6 produced for the American market was a 2.8 ltr 12 valve unit that produced 172 bhp. For the Canadian, UK and the rest of Europe the Corrado featured a 2.9ltr engine which saw power rise to 187 bhp and torque rise to 181 lb /ft. The additional power was achieved by a slight bore increase, a new freer flowing catalytic converter, enlarged inlet manifold, and a larger throttle body. The V in VR stood for ‘V shape’ which describes the conventional V shape of an engine where the pistons are aligned in the shape of a V, while the R stood for Reihenmotor which in German denotes ‘row engine’ or ‘straight engine’.
A kerb weight of 1240kg resulted in a car capable of carrying four people and luggage reaching 60 mph in 6.4 seconds. The Corrado was available with either a 5 speed manual or a 4 speed automatic gearbox. Volkswagen pioneered the VR6 engine which was a revolution when released in 1992. Engineers were first the first time on a production car were able to combine the benefits of a v shaped and straight line engines. This was achieved by placing two cylinder banks at angles of 15 degrees with a single cylinder head. This permits a large 6 cylinder engine to fit in near enough the same engine space as straight line engine.
Full Leather Interior
The Corrado brakes had to be a capable system in order to bring the 1240kg car to a stop in sufficient time. Therefore engineers fitted the VR6 with 280mm ventilated discs at the front and 226mm solid discs at the rear. The servo assisted brakes also featured a load sensitive brake pressure regulator. ABS was standard on these cars. To maintain the composure of the Corrado while corning engineers fitted 205/50R15 tyres which wrapped 15” alloy wheels. Front fog lights were standard on the Corrado. Interior trim on the VR6 was of high standard offering electric windows and mirrors as standard. Leather seats and door trims were optional and Recaro leather seats were also an option. These had extended bolsters, tilt handles on both sides and the Recaro logo embedded on the seat back. A leather gear knob and a three spoke leather steering adorned the cabin.
Corrado VR6 Campaign
1992 saw the release of the Corrado Campaign which featured the 2.9 VR6 engine. Only 6 Campaign were manufactured and all were imported into the UK and was only available in dusky mauve metallic. This model came equipped with electric windows and electric Sunroof. The Campaign was developed as a dealership incentive exercise. The dealerships that sold the most Corrado’s were presented with the Corrado Campaign. The Campaign was fitted with Monte Carlo alloy wheels first seen on the golf GTI 16v and golf VR6.
Interior modifications began with fitting red/ochre Recaro seats with mauve strips. Matching leather was adorned the door panels, facia, centre console and the steering wheel rim. The Campaign was fitted with a Sony UCD 661 RDS radio cassette head unit plus a CD auto changer in the boot and an improved 6 speaker system.
Corrado VR6 Storm
Europe and UK saw the introduction of a special edition Corrado called the Storm. This car featured 15 inch 6 spoke BBS solitude alloy wheels wrapped with 205/50 VR15 tyres. Additional exterior modifications included a colour coded front grille and various Storm badges. The Storm included a much higher interior spec as standard. Most notably being the full leather heated front seats. Only 500 of these were imported into the UK and 250 were coloured with Mystic Blue the remaining 250 were coloured classic green. The Storm also featured a new in car entertainment system in the form of a Sony CDX-600SP radio/CD player. 20 of the 500 Storms were automatic while the reaming 480 vehicles adopted the standard 5 speed VR6 gearbox. The Storm was the last Corrado produced by Volkswagen and production ceased in 1995. To this day the Corrado has not been replaced. The closest Volkswagen has got to replacing the Corrado VR6 was with the release Golf VR6 and more recently the Golf R32.
The Facts
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Engine: |
Volkswagen VR6 12 Valve |
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Capacity: |
2,861 cc |
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Valves: |
12 |
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Compression Ratio: |
10.1:1 |
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Fuel System: |
Bosch Motronic Fuel Injection |
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Maximum Power: |
172bhp @ 5,800 rpm - 2.8ltr 187bhp @ 5,800 rpm - 2.9ltr |
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Maximum Torque: |
172 lb/ft @ 4,200 rpm - 2.8ltr 181 lb/ft @ 4,200 rpm - 2.9ltr |
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Transmission: |
Manual 5 Speed / Automatic 4 Speed |
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Brakes: |
Servo Assisted Vented 280mm front discs / 226 solid rear discs |
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Kerb Weight: |
1240 Kg |
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0-60: |
6.4 secs |
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Max Speed: |
146 mph |
