Monday 2nd February 2004

New Tigra

New car will debut in Geneva

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Vauxhall today confirmed that it is to name its new two seater sporty coupe roadster the Tigra – the second model to bear the name.

The car will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March and goes on sale in the late summer.

The electro-hydraulic retractable steel roof opens and closes automatically at the touch of a button, folding almost vertically into a shaft between the cabin and the boot.

The Tigra will be available with Vauxhall’s Twinport 1.4 litre 90hp or 1.8 litre 125hp ECOTEC engines. A five-speed manual gearshift is standard.

Vauxhall chairman and managing director Kevin Wale said: "Tigra plays an important role in our model offensive and shows the new direction we have taken with our product portfolio, 20 per cent of which will soon consist of niche models ."

The Tigra will be produced in France by the coachbuilder Groupe Henri Heuliez S.A.

Prices will be announced closer to the on-sale date.

[B19GRR]

"Tigra plays an important role in our model offensive"

Well I have to agree it's pretty offensive. Top marks to VX for another automotive legend!

[windandwave]

Still, it can't be much uglier than the last one.

[britten_mark]

I think it is though!
What the f*** has happened to GMs styling in the last decade?

[DustyC]

The new Vauxhall 306 CC Megane.

They all look the same but with different lights.

[v8thunder]

Can we have a 'hairdresser in a hairdresser's car' smiley to accompany these things please Ted?

[Podie]

britten_mark said:

I think it is though! What the f*** has happened to GMs styling in the last decade?

Been chatting to BMW?

[DustyC]

BMW? It doesnt look that bad!

[Frik]

Never let it be said that Vauxhall don't know their target market...

[supa_freek]

Yeah, I don't know what they were thinkin' on that one.

[Dinkel]

I just don't understand why beautifull PH is polluted this way: Tigra, new Octy, Rinspeed b*lls**t . . . Let's focus on the things in life that really matter. Saves us lots of precious time. Or am i alone on this one?

[windandwave]

The folding hardtop compromises the looks of all these smaller cars, at least if they aspire to four seats: they end up with a tubby, cab forward look with the top up. (Saw the 307cc in the flesh for the first time a couple of weeks ago... ugly, ugly, ugly).

Maybe it's just me, but the last model Megane Convertible was a lovely looking car, as was the Megane coupe. Shame that the new one's a design disaster.

[LuS1fer]

windandwave said:

Still, it can't be much uglier than the last one.

It looks a lot corsa.....

[GingerNinja]

Well I think it's a fairly attractive small car. I think your badge snobbery is clouding your perpection.

[cymtriks]

Too right GingerNinja, It looks OK to me to. What do you expect in this market segment? Would any of the above critics like to suggest a similar priced car in the same market segment that is much better? Most of the competition are getting on a bit, 206cc, or much more expensive.

[LuS1fer]

GingerNinja said:

Well I think it's a fairly attractive small car. I think your badge snobbery is clouding your perpection.

Good point - except I have an Astra too. This is still a pansy design.