Corrado - Streetwell

Time to reflect on the VW Team Brabant event, which saw a record number of cars and an unbeatable, friendly atmosphere. What I loved most was seeing the blend of generations coming together. The old guard with cars they’ve owned for decades, constantly finding new ways to tweak and improve them. Then there are the newcomers, soaking in all the beauty around them, and in between, you’ve got a group rolling up with fresh, new projects. A prime example of the latter is Ricardo Kruijf’s Golf Mk1, which we’ve already featured in a spotlight.

We also had some special guests from across the channel, with a group from England making an appearance. You can immediately tell that the bar is set high over there. A standout example? The guys from Grounded Original. I’ve had these cars in front of my camera before, and yet, they still manage to command an unreal level of attention.

For many who got their driver’s license in the ’90s, the VW Corrado was the ultimate dream car. I should know—I was one of them. My love for Volkswagen came from my father, and when I finally passed my driving test, there was only one car I truly wanted. But, like many dreams, it remained just that. Even back then, you needed a decent bank account to afford a Corrado, even on the second-hand market.

For Rens Robben, the Corrado was also his dream car, until 2019, when he found this particular example in a small village in Austria. It’s an American-spec model, easily identified by the side markers in the front bumper. It even has automatic seatbelts, something we Europeans aren’t really familiar with. But over time, this Corrado made its way back to Europe.

Originally, this car came with a 1.8-liter 8v G60 engine, but it’s since been swapped for a more potent 1.8-liter 16v G60. Now boosting 224.8hp and 290Nm of torque. The G-Lader was an innovative supercharger that Volkswagen introduced in the ’80s and ’90s. Though it was eventually replaced by more reliable turbochargers and other forms of forced induction, the G-Lader holds a special place in automotive history, especially for VW enthusiasts.

Tag: Corrado

Gallery: VW Team Brabant Event 2024

The VW Corrado: A ’90s Dream Car Revived