Opel Calibra

Opel Calibra

Opel Calibra on Monza

The Opel Calibra (badged as a Vauxhall in the UK and a Holden in Australia) was launched in 1989, a front-wheel drive coupé based around the running gear of the Opel Vectra A, (Cavalier under the Vauxhall name) which had been launched the year before.

The Calibra, styled by the American head of GM design Europe, Wayne Cherry (retired), is considered by some the most stylish Vauxhall/Opel ever, but being based on the Vectra chassis its ride and handling were not significantly better than that of the family car from which it grew. It was, however, the most aerodynamically efficient Opel ever, with a Cx of 0.26.

Power was initially from 2.0 8-valve and 16-valve injection engines but in 1992 a 2.0 turbo with four wheel drive and a top speed of 240 km/h (150 mph) was added to the range.

During its lifetime, the Calibra proved much more popular than its nearest rival, the Ford Probe, which was considered to be too-American for most people's tastes.

In 1995, the Vectra A was replaced, but the Calibra continued until the end of 1997, when it was finally axed from the Vauxhall/Opel range. Although a smaller coupe (the Tigra) was available, the marque was left without a full-sized coupé until the Astra Coupé was launched in 2000.

As of 2005, the world's fastest street-legal car has been determined to be a 1993 Vauxhall Calibra, owned by Steve Pateman, boasting a 1.25 second 0 to 60 mile per hour time, and an 8.14 second quarter-mile time. [1]

Engine list

The Calibra had several engines.

• 2.0i - 115 PS (85 kW) (all years)
• 2.0 16v - 150 PS (110 kW) (1990-1995)
• 2.0 16v Ecotec - 136 PS (100 kW) (1995-1997)
• 2.0 16v Turbo - 204 PS (150 kW) (1992-1997)
• 2.5 24v V6 Ecotec - 170 PS (125 kW) (1994-1997)

External links

• Opel Calibra Fun Site
• Vauxhall Calibra information