Tuesday 11th October 2005

The Corrado returns

VW plans muscular AWD 247bhp coupé for 2008

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Classic much-loved 1990s coupe

The Corrado is back.

VW's plans for 2008 include a four-wheel drive coupé based on the Golf platform, powered by a range of four engines -- a broader mix than the previous, and much-loved Corrado from the 1990s.

With the aim of competing with the Alfa Brera, the top of the range model will both look muscular and boast a 247bhp 3.2-litre V6 -- a development of the original VR6 that powered the top-end Corrado. While the rest of the range is likely to be FWD only, this will get AWD, and will get the six-speed, flappy-paddle operated DSG gearbox as an option. The V6 will make 62mph in around 6.3 seconds.

Now called the Rivo, Autocar reports that sources inside VW suggest that the Rivo is to be a pure 2+2 designed to complement the recently unveiled Eos coupé-cabrio. UK prices will start at £22,000.

Other powerplants will consist of the new 1.4-litre twin-charger that was launched recently for use in the Golf GT, and the GTi's turbocharged 2.0-litre FSI mill. Diesel will probably also be an option.

But is the name a bit weedy -- what was wrong with Corrado...?

Image courtesy Corrado VR6 site

[dinkel]

:scratchchin: Chav image maybe?

[url]Like this|http://www.pixelplay.nl/images/corrado.jpg[/url]

[Andrew D]

1.4 twin-chargeder eh? When's this going to make an appearance then? It's not on the Golf, you can only get a 2.0FSI in the GT.

For 140bhp twin-charging is hardly worth the effort, unless you go for over 100bhp per litre and 4,000 mile service intervals.

[paulie-mafia]

About bloody time, but they could at least have named it Corrado instead of Rivo. Sounds like some nasty little far Eastern shopping cart.

Bad VW!

[jazzyjeff]

Sounds like a naff chocolate bar to me!! ;-)

There was nothing wrong with the name Corrado (or Scirocco for that matter) - it was probably the least chavvy car in VW's range!

[annodomini2]

I'm curious how much of the body styling is going to rip off the TT?

[JapsEyeDesign]

Andrew D said:

1.4 twin-chargeder eh? When's this going to make an appearance then? It's not on the Golf, you can only get a 2.0FSI in the GT. For 140bhp twin-charging is hardly worth the effort, unless you go for over 100bhp per litre and 4,000 mile service intervals.

I think they are refering to the engine that is both superchared and turbocharged. Dont ask me how they do it.

[JonRB]

I'm honoured that PistonHeads chose a picture of my car for this article.

AutoCar have been bringing out reports of the "New Corrado" for years, so it will be interesting to see if this one really happens or not.

As for "Rivo", wasn't that a 90's PDA from Psion?

[JapsEyeDesign]

annodomini2 said:

I'm curious how much of the body styling is going to rip off the TT?

I doubt that the VW group will dilute its premium brand by using the styling on its bread and butter brand.

The styling in autocar looks more like a hard top od the recent Eos concept, which in turn looks like the 'family' face they've applied to their whole range, which is pretty horrible.

Nevertheless, I think we should give it a chance, and wait until we seem some press releases from the company itself (rather than Autocar images)

[manek]

JonRB said:

I'm honoured that PistonHeads chose a picture of my car for this article.

Was the least I could do, Jon.

Manek
PH Editor

>> Edited by manek on Tuesday 11th October 13:22

[dinkel]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

You had to think about that one didn't you?

Riva, those nice boats . . .

[r988]

Do you have to use the term flappy paddle gearshift, it really annoys me, just call it a paddle gearshift, this is not Topgear where they have to please a large audience with many ignorant people. We should know what a paddle gearshift is by now.

I advise VW to not even bother with the styling if its going to be competing with the Alfa, they will have to go with the boring build quality and reliability angle.

[garydvo]

So we have:

Golf (inc Est), Bora, Bettle, Touran, A3 (inc Est), TT, Seat Leon, Seat Toledo, Skoda Octavia (inc Est), have I missed any. Not aware of a Lambo or Bentley to be added to this yet.

Added to this list of the same floor is the Carrado.

When the Corrado was introduced all that was available was the Golf and Corrado on the same basic floor. Then it worked. One of the guys at work still has one a lovley example used daily, he will never sell it.

With the dilution of the VW brand how it is going to fit with the VW GTI.. Seat Cupra Octavia RS and TT will be down to the VAG marketing teams.

Forgive me but wasn't the TT really a Carrodo replacement.

>> Edited by garydvo on Tuesday 11th October 18:10

[JonRB]

garydvo said:

When the Carrado was introduced all that was available was the Golf and Corrado on the same basic floor.

What is this mythical "Carrado" of which you speak? And wouldn't it have caused product confusion if it really was introduced alongside the Golf and Corrado like you are saying?

>> Edited by JonRB on Tuesday 11th October 16:10

[Andrew D]

JapsEyeDesign said:

I think they are refering to the engine that is both superchared and turbocharged. Dont ask me how they do it.

Yeah, it is. I am aware of the technology, I was just commenting that it might not be appropriate to use something so horrendously complex and expensive to produce/maintain on a 1.4 Litre hatch, and not even the range topper.

[inDcisive]

Hooray! I've been waiting for them to do this for years! And I've always thought they should have made it AWD in the first place. Will be interesting to see if it turns out jaw droppingly gorgeous or blindingly ugly though...my money's on the latter.
And WHY that name?

[JapsEyeDesign]

Andrew D said:

JapsEyeDesign said: I think they are refering to the engine that is both superchared and turbocharged. Dont ask me how they do it. Yeah, it is. I am aware of the technology, I was just commenting that it might not be appropriate to use something so horrendously complex and expensive to produce/maintain on a 1.4 Litre hatch, and not even the range topper.

Yes, it does pose the rather obvious question: 'Why?'

[LuS1fer]

I recall when they launched the Corrado that I thought the name was completely naff. Still do. Much prefer Scirocco.

Still at least Rivo doesn't make you think of a Lada Riva. Doh!

[pvernham]

I think they produce a 1.4 because in certain European countries, cars under 1400cc fall into a lower tax bracket.

[EmmaP]

How exciting! I'd love to experience AWD in a Corrado and that more powerful engine. I shall have to check out the review. Rivo sounds a bit naff though. What is that Spanish for? Fart perhaps*?

*Corrado and Scirocco are Spanish for particular forms of wind, the poetic descriptions of which I cannot recall at present .

>> Edited by EmmaP on Wednesday 12th October 10:13

[Marquis_Rex]

JapsEyeDesign said:

Andrew D said: JapsEyeDesign said: I think they are refering to the engine that is both superchared and turbocharged. Dont ask me how they do it. Yeah, it is. I am aware of the technology, I was just commenting that it might not be appropriate to use something so horrendously complex and expensive to produce/maintain on a 1.4 Litre hatch, and not even the range topper. Yes, it does pose the rather obvious question: 'Why?'

There is a world OUTSIDE just achieving high horsepower figures, and that's achieving fuel economy too. A boosted 1.4 could potentially give a good performance/fuel economy compromise....if engineered correctly (but not as good as a dieseasal!)