VW Corrado (1988–1995)
The ’90s VW coupé — from 16v to the supercharged G60 and VR6
Years
1988–1995
Body
3-door coupé
Platform
VW Group A2 — shared with Golf Mk2 / Mk3 / Passat B3
Boot
280 L (9.9 cu ft)
The VW Corrado (1988–1995), built by Karmann, is VW’s flagship ’90s coupé — best known for the supercharged G60, the high-revving 16v and the 2.9 VR6, the first car to wear VW’s narrow-angle V6. Its active rear spoiler is the signature feature, and all variants are now genuine modern classics.
Built on the A2 platform shared with the Golf Mk2/Mk3, the Corrado has a strong enthusiast aftermarket for suspension, wheels, brakes and engine rebuilds (especially G60 supercharger and VR6 timing-chain parts).
Use this guide to pick the right engine, spot the common faults, and spec your own Corrado in the free VW Build configurator before you buy parts.
Best Engines
2.9 VR6 (190 PS)
The one to have — the first VR6, 0–62 mph in ~6.9s, increasingly collectible.
1.8 G60 supercharged (160 PS)
The rare tuneable base — check for a fresh supercharger rebuild.
1.8 / 2.0 16v (136 PS)
The sweet, reliable entry — high-revving and cheap to run.
What to Check Before You Buy
- !On the G60, ask for proof of a recent supercharger rebuild (~60k-mile interval).
- !Cycle the active rear spoiler — listen for the motor at speed; mechanism failure is common.
- !On the VR6, check for timing-chain rattle on start-up.
- !Inspect sills, arches and the screen surround for Karmann-body corrosion.
Common Issues
- G60 supercharger needs rebuilding ~60k miles — check for fresh rebuild.
- Active rear-spoiler mechanism fails — listen for the motor at speed.
- VR6 timing chain and tensioner — check for rattle on start-up.
- ABS module / pump failure on early cars.
- Karmann body corrosion — check sills, arches and screen surround.
Corrado — Frequently Asked Questions
Community Corrado (1988–1995) Builds
No community Corrado (1988–1995) builds shared yet — yours could be the first.
Build yoursBuild Options for Corrado (1988–1995)
Body Kits
standard factory body
front lip splitter and side skirts for a clean street look
front lip splitter, rear diffuser and side skirts
active-style rear spoiler with subtle street styling
flared wide-arch conversion with aggressive stance
full show-spec body kit with splitter, diffuser, skirts and spoiler
Wheels
factory OEM alloys
15-inch lightweight alloys, 5x100 fitment
16-inch sport alloy wheels, 5x100 fitment
17-inch BBS-style split rims, 5x100 fitment
gold classic-style alloys
satin black machine-face alloys
Compatible Parts
2 parts fit this model
Build Your Corrado
Spec your dream Corrado in the free configurator — body kits, wheels, colours and lighting, visualised before you buy.
Start Building