.d-md-none .d-lg-block bibimot

Volkswagen Corrado. Legend that didn't happen

Volkswagen Corrado. Legend that didn't happen
Every car brand has models that represent the pride of their creators, there are those that go unnoticed and even those that they then try to forget about. In short, success is followed by failure to lead to success again. This is fine. But history knows examples when fate has been unfair to truly interesting cars.


When talking about the brand "Volkswagen", we remember, first of all, the legendary "Beatle", then the no less legendary "Golf". These are cars of the era, cars that influenced the entire auto industry, changing the idea of ​​​​what a car should be.
Perhaps due to the success of our bestsellers (and also, not without the participation of other, not so legendary, but no less successful models - Passat, Tuareg, Polo), we perceive Volkswagen as a company that produces modern, reliable but mass cars. And in this image there is no hint of sports. It's a pity, because there were attempts and interesting attempts!

Home


In 1974, the Scirocco model, created on the basis of the first generation Golf, was released. The idea turned out to be alive - an inexpensive, but stylish hatchback with a coupe-like swift silhouette of the authorship of Giorgetto Giugiaro found strong demand.

«Volkswagen Corrado». Не случившаяся легенда "Scirocco" of the first generation. Photo: youtube.com


However, there was little sports, except for appearance, in Scirocco, since almost all units were taken from the standard Golf. By the way, an interesting detail - "Scirocco" went into production even before the progenitor entered the market. It's just that Volkswagen decided to "run in" the technology on a small-scale version in order to rid the mass "Golf" of "children's" diseases to the maximum.

Extension


In 1981, the second generation Scirocco entered the market. The appearance has changed, although the proportions have remained the same.

"Scirocco" second generation. Photo: youtube.com


The aggregate carrier has not changed either - the car was built on the platform (however, this term was not yet in use at that time) of the first Golf. Despite the fact that work was already underway on the second generation of the hatchback.

Volkswagen Corrado


The second "Golf" became the basis for the release of a new model, introduced in 1989. The car received its own beautiful name - "Corrado".

"Corrado" continued the style of "Scirocco", but became noticeably more solid. Photo: youtube.com


Curious detail. With the advent of the first generation "Golf" (the wind blowing over the Gulf Stream, and not the "major" game, as many people think), "Volkswagen" began to pick up "windy" names for its other models - "Passat", "Jetta", "Scirocco ". The tradition was fixed for a long time, later there were "Bora", "Santana", "Vento" (the latter name does not belong to any particular wind, but, for example, means "wind" in Italian and Portuguese). But the name "Corrado", which they originally wanted to call "Taifun", is not associated with any winds. The name is said to come from the Spanish word "Correr", which means "to run". Well, for a car with a sporty character - suitable.


Between 1989 and 1992, "Corrado" and "Scirocco" were produced in parallel, although, in fact, they were direct competitors. In the end, the old Sirocco gave up and retired, and the Corrado continued its conveyor life. Not for long, really.

Engines


"Corrado" favorably differed in that it did not inherit from the "Golf" the initial "consumptive" engines. Even in the basic versions, they were supplied with a 136-horsepower 1,8-liter engine. And the next step was a unit of the same working volume, but with a turbocharger and a power of as much as 160 hp. Considering the curb weight of about 1200 kg, such a car drove very cheerfully! Claimed 8,5 s to “hundreds” and a maximum speed of 225 km / h - even today such a car will not get stuck in the stream.

By the way, both engines could be ordered both with a manual 5-speed gearbox and with a 4-speed "automatic". It is clear that the resection of one pedal turned into a deterioration in dynamic characteristics.

Capabilities


Equipment "Corrado", by the standards of "Golf" was rich. "Torpedo" was made in the style of the new "Passat" B3, although the control of the stove was the same as that of the "Golf" - through two sliders and one switch. On the other hand, seats with advanced lateral support could have leather upholstery and electric adjustments! A power sunroof was also offered. In the American market, and later in Europe, air conditioning was among the options. In the basic equipment, the Corrado offered a trip computer, which for the Golf was the prerogative of expensive versions.

active spoiler. Photo: youtube.com


Distinctive - and very effective! - The "trick" of the car was the active rear spoiler. At speeds above 120 km / h (in the "American" version - after 80 km / h), it automatically rose from the edge of the rear door. However, for the “wow effect” it could also be activated forcibly, with a button on the panel. And the spoiler really worked, significantly increasing both downforce at high speeds and the owner's sense of self-importance!

For driver and passenger(s)


The layout of the cabin had a landing formula 2 + 2. In practice, this meant that two adults could comfortably fit in front. About the rear passengers thought only theoretically. Most likely, tests with living people on the second row were not even carried out. For humanitarian reasons. A little space for one medium-sized rider in the back could be carved out by brutally squeezing the front passenger. You could squeeze a child behind the driver only if the driver was also a child.

In the initial versions, the back sofa is flat. In expensive ones, it is molded for two passengers. The armrest served as a box for things. Photo: youtube.com


Despite this, the Corrado was still very practical for its class. Recall that Volkswagen positioned the Corrado as a coupe. But in fact, the car was a hatchback, with a lifting third door and, as a result, a fairly comfortable, albeit small, trunk. In addition, the owners could use the term “interior transformation” for their car, since the rear seats could be folded down.

The trunk had a volume of 330 liters. Photo: youtube.com


Of course, you can’t take away a refrigerator, but one large suitcase is possible. Just not very big, though.

Restyling


Since 1992, the time has come for Corrado to change. First, the range of engines was updated. The weakest, 136-horsepower 1,8-liter engine was replaced with a two-liter engine of the same power. And the place of the turbocharged eight-valve was taken by the legendary VR6 with a volume of 2,9 liters and a power of as much as 190 hp. (in the US market, the engine had a displacement of 2,8 liters and produced 174 forces).

Powerful versions had G60 or VR6 nameplates on the grille. Photo: youtube.com


A year later, restyling touched the exterior, interior and chassis. "Corrado" received a new hood, front fenders, upgraded optics.
Salon has changed slightly. The main thing that caught your eye was the microclimate control, the same as on the Golf, already the third generation. He also got the paddle shifters, more modern and elegant.

Restyled version with left hand drive. By the way, "Corrado" was very popular in Japan, and European versions with right-hand drive were bought there. Photo: youtube.com


The suspension has also undergone changes due to the change of generations of the Golf. This became necessary, among other things, due to the installation of a noticeably heavier "six". The second generation of "Golf" was simply not designed for such a monster!

Habits


If "Scirocco" was, in fact, an ordinary "Golf" in a sports wrapper, then "Corrado" had more claims to sports. How justified were they? To be honest, not really.

Corrado is not about racing. It's about style, beauty and sexuality. Photo: youtube.com


Yes, powerful engines made it possible to quickly take off, break away from neighbors downstream, sometimes win a “traffic light race”. But the “sportiness” suspension was not reported. If with a 160-horsepower turbo four and its 1250 kg “Corrado” could still maintain a dialogue on a racing theme, then the VR6 version, the mass of which exceeded one and a half tons (and the entire weight gain fell on the front axle), was frankly in no hurry to turn.

However, for most buyers, this was not necessary. For them, "Corrado" was a spectacular, very beautiful, practical car for every day. Which even has a smooth ride! Well, yes, very conditional, but there is! In fairness, let's say that the car really allowed the driver to drive on roads of different quality and not be afraid for the safety of the spine. Tough but resilient.

On the Sunset


It's a shame that restyling did not greatly extend the life of the model. The popularity of "Corrado" was falling. Volkswagen took steps to support the vanishing demand. In 1993, a version with a 2,0 liter engine, with a power of only 115 hp, entered the market. Weak but cheap.

The third and last generation of "Scirocco" for today. Photo: youtube.com


Did not help. In 1995, the last Corrado rolled off the assembly line. However, he had no heir. Only in 2008, Volkswagen again made an attempt to return to this form factor, releasing the third generation Scirocco. To close the topic again in 2017. I don't want to think it's forever.

Conclusions


In total, almost 100 Corrados have been sold in the last six years of production. Is it a lot or a little? Certainly not enough! Yes, the car turned out to be not outstanding in terms of characteristics and habits, but bright, beautiful and very emotional. No wonder there are still a lot of fans of this model. There are "Corrado clubs" in many countries of Europe and America. And he deserves it!

Even in Russia, "Corrado" can still be bought. True, it is difficult, almost impossible, to find a car that has not been "improved" by tuning to a fainting state. And if possible, then expensive.

Oh, it would be a million and a half free money ...

User vote - how much do you think the Volkswagen Corrado should cost now?

We vote!

We are We are in Yandex Zen
Subaru WRX STI - features of ownership in RussiaIzh Planeta-Sport - Brezhnev's favorite motorcycle

Expeditionary UAZs will return to service

Expeditionary UAZs will return to service

Both “Loaves” and “Hunters” from this series will be available starting next month. The prices are already known. Read more about this in our material....
  • 215