Vauxhall Tigra Exclusiv Red

It may not be red and, if Vauxhall have their way, it wont be particularly exclusive but the Vauxhall Tigra Exclusiv Red still makes all kinds of sense when the sun shines. Steve Walker reports

You can imagine the scene in the product planning meeting at Vauxhall HQ last December. The latest sales forecasts are being fashioned into paper aeroplanes then hurled across the conference room, the marketing executives have left drawing pins on the chairs of the accounts dept and somebody has sketched a highly unflattering picture of Fords vice president on the whiteboard. The door opens, the boss walks in and everyone jumps to attention. "Right, the winters over and we need something to give us a shot in the arm for the year ahead. What have you got?" Blank looks abound. Then one brave soul pipes up. "How about a special edition of the Tigra? Itll be a bit exclusive, great in the warmer weather and we can make it red. Everyone loves a red convertible." "Brilliant!"

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Its true, nothing tugs on the heart strings quite as violently as the iconic little red sportscar. The Vauxhall Tigra may not be a sportscar in the truest sense and the Exclusiv Red edition we look at here isnt actually red but it does have a red leather interior, it is a bit sporty and at under £16,000, we really shouldnt split hairs. The point is that its cute, its fun, its affordable and with a modicum of extra exclusivity along with some natty red leather trim to match your handbag, it looks guaranteed find favour with the target market. The Exclusiv Red edition takes as a basis the Sport trim level from the standard car which is already generously equipped.

It then adds various styling augmentations including the striking scarlet leather upholstery and alloy detailing that make the interior feel really special. Outside, you get 17" alloy wheels and a choice of three paint colours none of which are red. Instead, its Metro Blue, Star Silver and Black Sapphire, each one set off with a silver targa roof bar.

"with some natty red leather trim to match your handbag, its guaranteed find favour with the target market"

Whereas the old MK1 Tigra was rather optimistically dubbed a 2+2 coupe, the latest version is an unashamed two seater. Its profile looks much like a Peugeot 206CC to which somebody has taken a plane and chamfered all the curves into edgy angles and gives a clue as to the cars party piece. At the press of a button, the hard top folds into the boot, turning the little coupe into a full convertible. The interior quality is a long way ahead of any small convertible rival and the hood is an impressive piece of work.

The cabin features wheel-mounted audio controls, a metallic finished fascia and a tiltable steering column. Both seats are height adjustable and an electronic display panel is standard on all models. Vauxhall had the benefit of others mistakes to draw upon in developing the Tigra. Many of the early coupe-cabriolet models looked the part but were cursed with woeful luggage space.

This time round, the Tigra doesnt attempt to wedge in a pair of useless vestigial rear seats, instead offering a useful boot of 440 litres. Even with the hood cassette, in place theres 250 litres available more than enough for a weekends light luggage for two. Theres a good deal of thoughtful attention to detail. The heated rear window features a special scratchproof glass and the tiny front and rear overhangs make the car easy to park.

One thing has continued from the previous Tigra model. This is still a car that will sell on the strength of its looks. The 3D ellipsoidal headlamps and wrap-around tail lights have the requisite bejewelled looks and the wedge shape that rises from front to rear helps the Tigra avoid the pram look that afflicts many small convertibles. Two petrol engines are available with the Exclusiv Red model, both sixteen-valve units.

Performance from the 1.4-litre engine is adequate, although all the weight of those electric motors will naturally take the edge off sprinting ability. The car will get to 60mph in 12.2 seconds and run on to a top speed of 112mph.

Fuel economy is very good indeed with a 34.9mpg economy figure about town. The more indicative combined cycle measures 46.3mpg.

Opt instead for the 1.8-litre car and the fuel economy drops quite significantly. Expect to manage around 36.7mpg on the combined cycle and an unspectacular 25.

9mpg in urban areas. The flipside of this is that performance is a lot brighter. Sixty mph in 9.2 seconds cant be sneezed at and a top speed of 127mph will be plenty for most customers.

In case you were wondering about the Tigras target market, lets just say that its not the most macho model in the Vauxhall hierarchy. Its unlikely to tempt hairy-chested medallion men from their Monaros or crazed boy racers from their VXR Astras and Corsas. The Tigra is a much friendlier proposition with the sassy red interior of the Exclusiv Red model giving it a slightly naughtier edge. Prices for the car start at £15,515 for the 1.

4-litre-engined model and with the extra equipment valued at £1,350, that looks like a good value deal. Never underestimate the Vauxhall marketing department.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

CAR: Vauxhall Tigra Exclusiv Red special edition
PRICES: from £15,545 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 12
CO2 EMISSIONS: 124-185g/km
PERFORMANCE: [1.8i] 0-60mph 9.2s / Max Speed 127mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.4 Twinport] (combined) 46.3mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, seatbelt pretensioners, side impact beams, ABS.
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/height tba