Exploring the Volkswagen Corrado G60
If we’re being honest, the Volkswagen Scirocco was fresh in 1974 but ultra-stale by its second-generation’s last year in the United States, 1988. The Corrado was its replacement: a high-tech, aggressive hatchback optionally powered by one of the funkiest engines the company ever made. It was perfectly German, during an era of chunky and understated styling that still conveyed muscle.
The 1.8-liter G60 engine under the hood of some models featured a very unusual supercharger. Known as a G-Lader in German, the compressor used two spiral elements: one spinning within and around the other compressing the intake air. It’s a complex but elegant solution, and like many other wonderful German innovations, it worked very well . . . when it was functioning correctly. However, it proved more troublesome than owners or VW were prepared for in practice.
Consequently, VW phased out the G60 in favor of the VR6, which debuted on the Passat B3 and found its way into later Corrados. Fortunately, G-Lader parts and rebuild services are available, meaning that buying and keeping an older G60 Corrado running isn’t an exercise in futility.
The Innovative Active Spoiler
Additionally, the Corrado featured an active spoiler—one of the first street vehicles to be equipped with such technology. It maintained the vehicle’s clean aesthetics and deployed at 45 miles per hour to reduce rear-end lift, claiming to improve stability by as much as 64 percent at 75 mph. Although initially considered a gimmick, the concept of an active spoiler has been widely adopted in subsequent models to solve aerodynamic challenges.
The Corrado’s Market Struggles
Nevertheless, the Corrado was quite expensive, leading to the theory that many Americans simply didn’t understand it. Even in the more robust VR6 configuration, the Corrado was perceived as an enigma—hard to explain and hard to justify at its price point. In contrast, the GTI model had an easier narrative, was reasonably priced, and delivered substantial fun. Consequently, the GTI thrived and continues to be popular today, while the unfortunate Corrado was discontinued after the 1994 model year.
A Rare Find
This particular Corrado shows low mileage and presents cleanly, with its very Teutonic silver paint contrasted by 1990s black door trim and multi-spoke alloys. There are modifications, including a supercharger pulley, which may impact the G-Lader’s reliability. Therefore, it might be prudent to consult a specialist for an inspection if you’re considering acquiring one. For everyone else, enjoy this striking example of a unique segment of German automotive history.
