Volkswagen Corrado VR6

Volkswagen Corrado VR6

The Volkswagen Corrado VR6 represents Volkswagen's most ambitious sports coupe of the late 1980s and early 1990s, combining the innovative VR6 engine with a sophisticated chassis and distinctive styling that set it apart from both the Scirocco it replaced and the Golf on which it was based. The Corrado was VW's statement that they could build a genuine sporting car, not just a warmed-over hatchback.

The VR6 engine was perhaps the most innovative powerplant Volkswagen had ever produced. Displacing 2,861cc, it arranged six cylinders in an extremely narrow 15-degree vee configuration, allowing the entire engine to share a single cylinder head. This packaging breakthrough meant a smooth, powerful six-cylinder engine could fit transversely in a car designed for four-cylinder power. The result was 190 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque -- figures that transformed the Corrado's character.

The VR6's exhaust note was one of its most distinctive characteristics -- a deep, complex growl quite unlike any other engine, arising from the unusual firing order dictated by the narrow vee angle. The sound alone became a signature that attracted enthusiasts and set the Corrado apart from its four-cylinder competitors.

The Corrado's body, designed by Herbert Schafer at VW's design center, was a three-door hatchback coupe with clean, taut lines that were notably more sophisticated than the angular Scirocco II it replaced. The most distinctive feature was the electrically operated rear spoiler that automatically deployed at speeds above 75 mph (120 km/h) and retracted below 12 mph. This was not a gimmick -- the spoiler reduced rear lift at high speeds and was one of the first active aerodynamic devices on a production car.

The chassis was based on the Golf II/III platform with significant modifications for the Corrado's sporting mission. The wider track, lower ride height, stiffer springs, and larger anti-roll bars gave the Corrado noticeably sharper handling than the Golf GTI. The VR6 model received further upgrades including revised shock absorber valving and recalibrated power steering.

Braking used large ventilated discs at the front with substantial single-piston calipers and solid discs at the rear. The system was powerful and fade-resistant, appropriate for the VR6's elevated performance. ABS was standard equipment.

The five-speed manual gearbox was a reinforced version of VW's standard unit, with a cable-operated shift mechanism that provided reasonably precise gear changes. An automatic transmission was also available but was rarely chosen by enthusiasts.

The interior combined sports car ambiance with VW's characteristic build quality. Recaro sport seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and comprehensive instrumentation created a driver-focused environment. The build quality was excellent, with tight panel gaps and solid-feeling switchgear that reflected VW's premium aspirations.

The Corrado VR6 was produced from 1991 to 1995 and sold in relatively modest numbers, limiting its commercial success but ensuring its future collectibility. Total Corrado production across all engine variants was approximately 97,521 units.

Today, the Corrado VR6 is recognized as one of the best sporting Volkswagens ever built, and clean, well-maintained examples are steadily appreciating.