Thursday 15th May 2014

Volkswagen Corrado VR6: Spotted

Unmodified VR6 Corrados are now something of a rarity. More's the pity

---

Though it may not be the most absorbing hot hatch in the world, the latest Golf R is not without merit. But both it and the Mk6 have lacked a little something that made the Mk4 and 5 so alluring despite their dynamic foibles; that hearty old V6 engine.

Is covert coupe an oxymoron?

Yes it made the nose heavy and it wasn't especially efficient but what a glorious, exciting noise it made. It was a USP over its hot hatch rivals that the 2.0-litre turbocharged versions now don't have.

Dynamics and a V6 though? There's a combination. The Corrado nailed that brief 20 years ago and VW arguably hasn't matched it, from an enthusiast's perspective at least, ever since. The Scirocco and Mk5 GTIs were great but of course lacked a truly memorable engine.

We all know the Corrado wasn't a massive sales success; the styling must have something to with it given the pretty little Mk1 Scirocco established such a high start point for small VW coupes. Now it's fairly plain appearance seems quite befitting of the time. It's not showy or dramatic, the wheels looking especially tiny by contemporary standards, but there's something pleasingly unpretentious about it. Or it's just a bit dull.

Fast, fun and affordable as old VWs go

This car is standard and looks to be in fine fettle. It's been owned for seven years by the current owner too which is usually a good sign. And the spoiler works.

There are just seven Corrados for sale on PH including this one. Amongst the 16-valve cars, the modified examples and the diesel conversion (really), this VR6 looks all the more desirable.

With values of fast early Golfs relentlessly climbing, or so it seems, it will be intriguing to see what happens to unmolested VR6 Corrados. They're not icons for many, they never will be, but it seems unlikely there will be a Corrado VR6 Shed anytime soon. Even if values don't climb, this is still one of the 90s best sports coupes for £3K. Or less than the price of that Golf R's options.

---

VW CORRADO VR6
Engine: 2,861cc V6
Transmission: 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 190@5,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 181@4,200rpm
MPG: 28
CO2: NA
First registered: 1992
Recorded mileage: 99,000
Price new: £19,895
Yours for: £3,300

See the original advert here

[only1ian]

Would rather have the V6 Alfa GTV.... (stands back and waits abuse)

[Bladedancer]

Never held any appeal to me.
Bland looks and hefty price tag when new ensured Corrado's lack of success.

[LOW4LYFE]

I like the Corrado. It's a decent car. But what I love, is that VR6 engine. I know it's old, it's heavy, not especially efficient in terms or power nor MPG, but they sound fking brilliant. Especially with a supercharger attached.

[Dr G]

What a lovely thing

[HorneyMX5]

Brilliant cars and still turn heads today. I bougth a 16v back in 08 and my co-workers thought I'd had a pay rise and bought a porsche. Not bad for a car that cpst me £850.

The spoiler never gets boring.

[P-Jay]

The Corrado VR6, a car that's been on the verge of being a collectors item since about 15 mins after they rolled the last one of the line.

[SydneyBridge]

Always wanted one of these- VR6 has to be the one to have and prices must rise for good ones

[Cam1177]

Considered a VR6, but ended up with a G60 due to it being the bargain of the year.

Of all the cars I've owned and loved, my biggest regret was getting rid of it, the only car I've owned where I'd get a wave and thumbs up from a teenager one minute, and then an elderly gentleman the next.

[Adz The Rat]

I had a VR6 in Blackberry about 5 years ago, absolutely loved it.

Drove beautifully, handled very well, and the noise from the V6 was never boring.

Always had great compliments from people who saw it.

Really regret selling it but it was the right thing to do at the time.

[Msportman]

Only way good VR6 Corrado's will going is up.

In fact the last of the Symos ECU controlled cars were pretty much over 200bhp out of the box.

Schrick made the lovely VSR upping the torque levels further or you could opt for the Schrick big valve head and 268 Cams.....a lovely combo that AmD used to do years ago. In fact I had the latter on a 2.8 Golf which pushed it to 230+ and loads of torque.

The thing with the Corrado is that even with a heavy nose a good Koni Coilover set up and Eibach ARB'ss made it a delight to drive on road and track...it's a real hidden gem if done right and the noise is worth it's weight in gold.

[ManOpener]

only1ian said:

Would rather have the V6 Alfa GTV.... (stands back and waits abuse)

The GTV was doubtlessly better to look at and to sit in, but the Corrado was and still is much, much better to drive. One of the best FWD chassis ever made, amazing considering it's a parts bin special.

This one doesn't appear to have a standard exhaust though, so isn't really "unmodified"

[Dale487]

The best looking VW ever?

I'd love a VR6 Storm in purple - unmodified please.

Didn't European emmision regulations kill off this, the 968, the 928 & the Escort Cosworth all at the same time? Sad day.

[aka_kerrly]

Dale487 said:

The best looking VW ever?

I'd love a VR6 Storm in purple - unmodified please.
.

I'm inclined to agree!
You mean Mystic Blue, which does have a lovely purple flip to it in the right light.

Naturally I am biased as I have 3 Corrados right now but if people think they aren't worthy of being a classic or shouldn't be deemed desirable as a sports car due to the FWD set up then they are very very wrong!

They are wonderful cars , yes they have a VW badge on the front, yes they are made using some components that are shared with mk3 Golfs, Passats and Mk2 golfs but when they are all combined you can definitely tell that the Corrado is something a bit more special.

I'm currently using my standard VR6 as a daily runner (bought last September for £750 and over 5000 miles has averaged 29.2mpg!), my brother is also using a extensively modified VR6 as a daily driver (owned 7 years on 199k), it has a circa 230HP GMS engine which makes it very entertaining once you find a suitable place to stretch it's legs. My other VR is having a engine rebuild at the moment after a timing chain failure - realistically the worst thing that can happen to a VR6.

I also have a Corrado G60 which is a very early 1989 USDM model which has been in our family since new and will never be parted with!

Like all car nuts I am always looking for suitable alternative or cars that can be the next step up when I next trade up my daily but I'm really struggling to find something that is a suitable modern alternative and may end up going back to hot hatches until i can justify a Z4 coupe or a Monaro.

[Chicane-UK]

Had mine for four years now, having previously owned a brace of 2.0 16v's and a G60 - I love it. Never get bored of it. Cruises perfectly on the motorway, isn't tiring to do long distances in, surprisingly practical / spacious, and of course the engine is great

Quite long gearing too.. will do 100MPH in third, and gearing in fifth gear is good for over 170MPH, but of course without some serious modifications it can't really reach those sorts of speeds

Mine is currently in for a total engine rebuild - it got to just shy of 200k and was running very well, but starting to enjoy a drink of oil, and sounding a bit clattery so I decided it was time to spend some money on it. Should, hopefully, be getting it back very soon.. can't wait

[renaultgeek]

always loved these. And usually I hate VWs

[ManOpener]

Blackberry or Dragon Green for me:

[Stokemon]

First car I really remember. My dad had a blue VR6, which was sadly stolen to order. As a result I have a soft spot for these despite my usual Jap coupe tendencies.

[mmm-five]

Missed mine (AMD tweaked to 230bhp & 245lb/ft with Schrick cams, valves, head, VGI, and AMD controller) the moment I sold it, but the e34 M5 made up for it in spades - even if it did cost 3x as much in maintenance. Used to love harassing the Nik Saran supercharged VR6s with their supposed 260-300bhp.

Shiny new wheels & brakes...


Engine bay needed a bit of TLC though...


At a TRAX event in about 2000 - the day after I'd had a respray...

[iloveboost]

I quite like these and the VR6 sounds nice. I think the styling is a bit dull but quite handsome. The interior is dark and dated though like a Mk3 Golf. It seems like VW wanted the Corrado to be thought of as a BMW or Audi Coupe rival but most people thought it was over-priced. I guess that's why these are so rare and don't really depreciate. A good Corrado VR6 seems to have been 5K for the past five years!

[aka_kerrly]

iloveboost said:

I quite like these and the VR6 sounds nice. I think the styling is a bit dull but quite handsome. The interior is dark and dated though like a Mk3 Golf. It seems like VW wanted the Corrado to be thought of as a BMW or Audi Coupe rival but most people thought it was over-priced. I guess that's why these are so rare and don't really depreciate. A good Corrado VR6 seems to have been 5K for the past five years!

VW pitched the Corrado straight at the 944 and more than one review at the time said that the Corrado came out tops!!

If anything I much rather the dark interiors, the grey ones look far far more 80s !!!

Also having tried Audi Coupes in 2.6 & 2.8 forms plus various E36 325is the Corrado is and always will be my first choice. Only a 944 Turbo could tempt me away, the 2.5/2.7/S2 944s just won't cut it.