Volkswagen Corrado
The Volkswagen Corrado was a sports car that was produced by Volkswagen from 1988 to 1995. It was based on the Volkswagen Golf platform, but it had a more stylish and aerodynamic design. The Corrado was known for its stylish design, powerful engine, and handling. It was a popular choice for those who wanted a stylish and sporty car. The Corrado replaced the Volkswagen Scirocco in 1989.
Volkswagen Corrado Overview
The Volkswagen Corrado is a sport compact coupe that was developed by the German automaker Volkswagen between 1988 and 1995. Positioned as a step above the Golf GTI, the Corrado aimed to blend performance with luxury and innovation, boasting features and engineering touches that were ahead of its time for a VW model.
The Corrado was intended as a successor to the VW Scirocco, yet it coexisted with the Scirocco for a few years. VW wanted the Corrado to stand out as a performance-oriented, premium coupe within their lineup. The Corrado was initially introduced with a supercharged 1.8-liter inline-four engine, called the G60, which produced around 158 hp. In the later years, Volkswagen added the option of a naturally aspirated 2.9-liter VR6 engine, which produced around 188 hp, giving the car a notable performance boost.
One of the unique features of the Corrado was its active rear spoiler, which would automatically raise at speeds above 45 mph (75 km/h) and retract when the speed dropped below 15 mph (25 km/h). This feature was rather novel for its time and underscored the car’s sporty aspirations. The Corrado’s cabin was designed with a sporty touch, featuring bolstered seats, high-quality materials, and an ergonomic layout that was lauded in its day.
Volkswagen Corrado Sales Figures
While the Corrado was generally well-received by critics and enthusiasts, it did not achieve strong sales numbers, especially in the North American market. Its relatively high price compared to other VW models and competitors might have contributed to its modest sales. Production of the Corrado ceased in 1995, and it wasn’t directly replaced in Volkswagen’s lineup. The Scirocco’s revival in 2008 can be considered as a spiritual successor to the Corrado, though the latter remains distinctive.
Volkswagen Corrado US Sales Data & Charts
US Annual Sales
| Year | Sales Units |
|---|---|
| 1989 | 1,393 |
| 1990 | 5,650 |
| 1991 | 4,311 |
| 1992 | 3,436 |
| 1993 | 2,111 |
| 1994 | 1,511 |
