The Volkswagen Corrado is a hatchback 3-door coupe developed by VW, was built by Karmann in Osnabrück, Germany between 1988 and 1995 and was conceived as a successor to the successful Scirocco. 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 and Jetta. It went on sale in the US in 1990. 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. SLC models featured an innovative rear spoiler which automatically raised when the vehicle reached a set speed. Perceived as too expensive, it reached a production total of just 97,521, about 20,00 more than the Jaguar E-Types! Like the Jaguar it has become a modern classic. All Corrados were front-wheel drive and featured gasoline engines. It debuted with two engine choices: a 1.8 L, 16-valve, straight-4 with 100 kW as the base model and a supercharged 1.8 L, 8-valve straight-4, marketed as the G60 and delivering 118 kW. The first engine was initially available only in Europe. Volkswagen introduced two new engines for 1992. The first was a naturally aspirated 2.0 L, 16 valve, 100 kW straight-4, basically a further development of the 1.8 L engine. The second was the highly-regarded 2.9 L, 12-valve 140 kW VR6. The North American market version had a displacement of 2.8 L and 128 kW, 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 degrees 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 offered in the UK in 1992 was the Campaign Edition, fitted with a VR6 engine. The Campaign was fully optioned and they all came in Dusty Mauve with tan and brick red leather interiors. In Germany there was also a special edition called the jet; the jet was launched in 1991 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 final attempt to popularize the car, a 2.0 L 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 except for the UK, only limited production model, the VR6 Storm. It had discreet Storm badging, a colour-keyed front grille, 15 in BBS Solitude alloy wheels as standard fitments together with some previously optional items (such as heated leather and cloth seats) etc. Only 500 were produced, 250 in Classic Green, and the balance in Mystic Blue. Its story is traced through road, comparison & long term tests, model intros & used car profile. Its story is traced through road, comparison & long term tests, model intros & a used car profile. Models covered: 1.8, 2.0, 2.8, 2.9, SLC, VR6, Supercharged G60, Neuspeed & Oettinger
