Vauxhall Tigra Range
By Andy Enright
Admissions time. I never was much of a fan of the original Tigra. A Corsa with a cutesy body, it did nothing particularly well yet sold in huge numbers to a clientele who valued looks over almost every other attribute. As a result theres quite a bit of brand equity in the Tigra name.
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Whereas the old 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. Everybody, it seems, is getting in on the folding hard top act, with Renault, Peugeot, Lexus, Daihatsu and Mercedes all offering vanishing tin tops and many more manufacturers lining up to introduce their own.
Two petrol engines are available, both sixteen-valve units. The 90bhp 1.4-litre version opens proceedings at £13,995 with a Sport version starting at £15,195. The punchier 125bhp 1.
8-litre car is only available in Sport trim and kicks off at £16,025. Theres also a 1.3-litre diesel version offered for £15,035 in standard guise or £1,150 more as a Sport. Versions with air conditioning tack another £500 onto these prices.
"At the press of a button the hard top folds into the boot, turning the little coupe into a full convertible"
Theres little doubt that the Vauxhall feels a polished product. The interior quality is a long way ahead of its rivals and the hood is very slick. 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.
The standard car comes with 15-inch alloys, a CD stereo, anti lock brakes, twin front and side airbags and sports suspension. Trade up to the Sport version of the Tigra and Vauxhall include 16-inch wheels, a silver targa roofbar, a stereo that can handle MP3s, a remote controlled alarm and an alloy-effect centre console. Aluminium pedals, a leather-trimmed sports steering wheel and front fog lights are also included. A leather pack is offered as an option with seats, head restraints and door trims finished in hide and ESP is also an option for those looking to safely explore the limits of the Tigras handling.
Vauxhall have 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. The rear section of the Tigras roof structure can be specified in a contrasting colour; either Matt Star Silver or an aluminium shade, Matt Moonland, which sounds more like a 1960s record company executive to me. Alternatively you can opt for the targa roof bar finished in body colour. When this includes a hue as violent as Yellow Punch, its enough to create quite an impression! 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. With the diesel, theres a claimed 61mpg average economy figure to consider but 0-60mph performance of 15.
5s isnt what you would call brisk. First launched in 1994 and reborn in 2004, the Tigra looks set to eclipse its previous success and is indicative of the progressive direction that Vauxhall are taking. Twenty per cent of all Vauxhall sales will soon consist of niche models like the Tigra, a far cry from the days when Vauxhall was the brand of the photocopier salesman. Even if you didnt care much for the original Tigra, dont let that put you off the latest version.
It may be somewhat gender specific but it looks set to be a huge success.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Vauxhall Tigra range
PRICES: £13,995-£16,185 on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 8-12
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 3921/1685/1364mm
