Friday. Cctober 39,

199,

Photo submitted

The styling remains basically the same, but under the hood of the new 1993 VW Corrado sports coupe is a powerful new 2.8-litre V6 engine with 178 horsepower. In-
quire about the Corrado at Capilano Volkswagen, 1151 Marine Dr., North Van.

Corrado

New V6 engine transforms well-equipped front-wheel-drive coupe

TEST ORIVE

A NEW V6 engine, an im-
proved manual transmis-
sion, and a revised suspen-
sion are the major changes
to the 1993 Corrado,
Volkswagen’s sporty
front-whecl-drive hat-
chback coupe.

Volkswagen has kept ic price
down too, making ths  well-
equipped coupe a better value
than previous models.

The Corrado’s chunks,

Vv

gressive styling remains basically
the same as before with the addi-
tion of handsome five-spoke
cast-aluminum wheels, and a new
grille and hood design. The Cor-
rado cuts a very distinctive profile
in the sporty coupe class rejecting
the contemporary fluid -like
shapes of Japanese and American
sports coupes.

Personally, J find its aggressive,
European lines rather appealing.

One thing's for sure, there's
certainly ao mistaking a Corrado
for anything else.

As before. the speed-sensitive
rear spoiler rises automatically at
speeds over 72 km/h to improve
highspeed avrodynamics and
vehicle stability, and then retracts
when the Corrado slows to 20
km/h. Though the spoiler is
reputed to reduce rear-end lift up
by 64%, I suspect it doesn’t have
much effect at legal spee

But it’s always fun to watch the
faces of drivers following the
Corrado when the rear wing rises
automatically

The new $78-horsepower 2.8-
litre overhead cam V6 engine has
22% more horsepower than the

percharged 158- horsepower
1.8-litre four-cvlinder engine in
the previous model. It transforms
the Corrada into a quicker, more
resporaive and more satisfying,

sports coupe. Zera to 100 km/h is
achieved in a very spritely 7.1 se-
conds, making the Corrado one of
the fastest sports coupes in its
class.

Perhaps more importantly, the
new V6 provides a better urban
driving experience.

The V6 is smoother,
and has fewer vibrations, and
while the supercharged four-
cylinder motor had to be revved
high to extract its potential, it has
more pull at lower engine revolu-
tions.

The new VR6 engine is unique
among V6 engines because of its
narrow 15-degree angle between
cylinder banks. The VR6 is more
compact, more fuel-efficient and
torquier than conventional V6
engines with a 60- or 90-degree
angle.

The manual gearbox has been
redesigned to take the extra power

quieter,

Price as tested $27,970
Base prive $26,200
Type two-door,
hatchback coupe
Layout transverse front engine/

four-passenger

of the V6, and it is quieter, casier
tu change, and more accurate.

However, it still has rather long
throws and could use some further
improvements, in my opinion.

Though the new V6 engine is
terrific, the Corrado’s best suit is
still its handling. :

Designed for che unlimited
speed limits of Germany’s
Autobahns, the Corrado offers
stable, controlled handling at
highway speeds, and a sturdy,
comfortable ride that absorbs
bumps and dips without being
harsh. Understeer is minimal, and
Steering control! is excellent. Grip-
py, high performance V-rated
208/50 series 15-inch radial tires
are standard equipment.

All in all, the Corrado’s high
limits and forgiving nature make
it a very safe car to drive.

The suspension is a revised ver-
sion of the previous suspension: a

front-wheel drive

Engine 2.8 litre, ¥6, two SOHC.
electronic Digifant fuel-injection
Horsepower 178 @ §,800 rpm
Torque 177 Ibs-ft @ 4,200 rpm
Transmission five-speed manual
(four-speed automatic)

Curb weight n/a

Wheelbase 2,470 mm/97.2 in.

be

MacPherson strut setup in front
with an anti-sway bar and rear
torsion bean trailing-arm with
spring dampers in the rear.

The rear suspension now has a
passive rear-whecl steer system
that produces subtle directional
changes in accordance with speed,
helping to give greater tracking
control,

Four-wheel disc brakes with an
anti-lock system and a_ special
form of traction control are
standard equipment.

The traction control, called
EDL (electronic differential lock),
employs the ABS sensors in the
front wheels to detect wheel slip-
page. When slippage is detected in
one wheel, EDL brakes the wheel
until it reaches the same speed as
the other wheel. The net effect is
improved traction and steering
control in slippery conditions.

See Coupe page 47

Length 3,046 mm/159.3 in.
Width 1,690 mm/66.5 in.

Height 1,310 mm/51.6 in.

Tires 205/50R-15 radials

Fuel economy City 12.9 L/100
km, 22 mpg; Hwy 8.6 L/1®
km, 33 mpg

Warranty three years/60,000 kin,
plus roadside assistance