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BUTTON FLY

Models Covered: Second Generation (2004-to date): 2 door coupe/convertible, 1.4, 1.8 petrol, 1.3CDTi diesel [base, Sport]

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

Think of the second generation Vauxhall Tigra as a direct successor to the original and you’re likely to come away very confused. Yes, it is a coupe of sorts, but one with an extra trick up its sleeve. Whereas the original Tigra was a cutesy coupe based on Corsa underpinnings, the post millennial version features a voguish folding hard top. It’s a far more appealing and better engineered Tigra than ever before and quite rightly is in some demand as a used car. If you can persuade an owner to part with one, here’s the low down on what to look for.

Although the hiatus between the two Tigra generations seems so much longer than three years, this is attributable to the cutting modernity of the second generation car rather than the perceived antiquity of the original. In short, when the Tigra was launched in Spring 2004, it suddenly made the opposition look very dated. The Peugeot 206 CC had long ruled the roost when it came to tots with folding hard tops but the introduction of the Vauxhall changed all that. Suddenly the Pug was yesterday’s news and the Tigra was the hot ticket.

There’s little doubt that the Vauxhall feels the more polished product than the Ford Streetka and the Peugeot 206 CC it was introduced to target. The interior quality is a long way ahead of its Ford rival and the hood is in a completely different league. 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 was offered as an option with seats, head restraints and door trims finished in hide and ESP was also available for those looking to safely explore the limits of the Tigra’s 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 doesn’t 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, there’s 250 litres available – more than enough for a weekend’s light luggage for two. There’s 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 Tigra’s roof structure couldbe specified in a contrasting colour; either Matt Star Silver or an aluminium shade, Matt Moonland, which sounds more like a 1960s record company executive. Alternatively, original buyers could opt for the targa roof bar finished in body colour. When this includes a hue as violent as Yellow Punch, it’s enough to create quite an impression.

Prices start at around £11,300 for an 05-plated 1.4 Sport and you’ll need around £12,300 for the 1.3CDTi or the 1.8 petrol, again both in Sport trim on the 05 plate. The 1.8 is offered solely in Sport guise but such was the modest step up in price and generous equipment bundle that most 1.3 and 1.4-litre buyers went for the Sport trim anyway. Insurance is very reasonable, reflecting the Tigra’s excellent safety and security rating. The 1.3 CDTi opens at Group 8 with the zippy 1.8 Sport still only rated at Group 12.

There have been no reported issues with the Second Generation Tigra so far. The roof mechanism is the biggest potential bill but to date the folding hard top has been very reliable. Check for the usual parking knocks and scrapes and make sure the alloys aren’t kerbed. Anything without a full service history should be given the elbow.

(Based on a Tigra 1.4 05 plate) A new clutch will cost you about £90 and a full exhaust system around £300. Front shock absorbers are about £50 a pair and rears around £35. An alternator is about £115 and a starter motor around £90. A radiator is about £115 and a replacement windscreen close to £135. A catalyst is just over £200.

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 can’t be sneezed at and a top speed of 127mph will be plenty for most customers. With the diesel, there’s a claimed 61mpg average economy figure to consider but 0-60mph performance of 15.5s isn’t what you would call brisk.

The Tigra is one of those cars that isn’t going to spring too many nasty surprises on a used buyer. As long as the hood and the electricals are in decent fettle, there isn’t too much to worry about. They don’t tend to have been driven hard nor will the typical owner rack up intergalactic motorway mileages. A clean, tidy example is likely to provide open top fun for a good few years yet. If you do a lot of urban driving, the 1.3-litre CDTi diesel would be our pick.

TAKE IT AS RED
It may not be red and, if Vauxhall have their way, it won’t 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 Ford’s vice president on the whiteboard. The door opens, the boss walks in and everyone jumps to attention. "Right, the winter’s 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? It’ll be a bit exclusive, great in the warmer weather and we can make it red. Everyone loves a red convertible." "Brilliant!"

It’s 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 isn’t actually red but it does have a red leather interior, it is a bit sporty and at under £16,000, we really shouldn’t split hairs. The point is that it’s cute, it’s fun, it’s 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, it’s 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, it’s 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. It’s 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 car’s 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 other’s 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 doesn’t 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 there’s 250 litres available – more than enough for a weekend’s light luggage for two. There’s 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 can’t be sneezed at and a top speed of 127mph will be plenty for most customers. In case you were wondering about the Tigra’s target market, let’s just say that it’s not the most macho model in the Vauxhall hierarchy. It’s 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

OPEN SEASON ON DIESELS
The Vauxhall Tigra 1.3CDTi Offers A Smart And Economical Diesel For Those Who Don’t Require Serious Horsepower. Andy Enright Reports

There’s a lot to be said for pragmatism. That may sound odd coming at the start of a review of a two seat convertible, but if you’re going to buy any two seat convertible, this could well be the most sensible one you can purchase. The Vauxhall Tigra is already one of the hottest tickets in town and now that an economical 1.3-litre CDTi is offered for £15,035, it makes a lot of financial sense. Here at last is a sweet city scoot that you can buy with both your heart and your head.

Head first. The key figure to bear in mind here is 61.4mpg. This is what the Tigra can achieve on the combined cycle. On a longer run it will nudge closer to 70mpg. Even in stop start city traffic, the figure will rarely dip much below 45mpg. Vauxhall reckon that when compared to a petrol version, a motorist covering 12,000 miles a year will save around £450 if they opt for the CDTi diesel car. It’s not particularly rapid, but to be frank, who cares? This car’s raison d’etre is looking good and not costing the earth while doing so. If you want to talk 0-60 times, then you’d be better off opting for the punchy 1.8-litre engine, or better still, a proper sports roadster. Suffice to say that the diesel engine has enough low down pull to make zipping onto a roundabout or out of a side street hassle free. It’ll even work well enough covering distance, although long motorway inclines can leave it feeling a little short of breath. Should you have an understanding fleet manager, the Tigra 1.3CDTi even makes a reasonable company car. The emissions figure of just 124g/km puts this Vauxhall in the lowest banding for a conventionally engined vehicle and the high resale value means that monthly leasing rates are very attractive indeed. Don’t expect to be able to find too much space for samples, documentation or luggage though. The Tigra’s pull on the heartstrings is easy to understand. Just look at it. Whereas the old Tigra was rather optimistically dubbed a 2+2 coupe, the latest version is an unashamed two seater. It’s 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 car’s 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.

"The Tigra 1.3CDTi has to be the most sensible two seat convertible on sale today"

There’s little doubt that the Vauxhall feels a more polished product than, say, Ford’s Streetka. The interior quality is streets ahead of its Ford rival and the hood is in a completely different league. 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 Tigra’s handling. Vauxhall have the benefit of other’s 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 doesn’t 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 there’s 250 litres available – more than enough for a weekend’s light luggage for two. There’s 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 Tigra’s 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, it’s enough to create quite an impression! Although I’m already anticipating the flak I’m going to get from my more macho friends when they read this review, I think the Tigra 1.3CDTi is both a very clever piece of marketing and a top notch product. Vauxhall know who their market is for this car and, to not beat about the bush too much, it’s young females looking for an affordable but good looking car. Any males buying this car will have to be very much in touch with their feminine side and also be able to put up with disgusted looks from white van men. Fear not. This Tigra ensures its owners will laugh all the way to the bank and look good in the process.

FACTS AT A GLANCE CAR: Vauxhall Tigra 1.3CDTi diesel PRICES: £15,035 - £16,185 – on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 8 CO2 EMISSIONS: 124g/km PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 101mph 0-60mph 15.5s FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 61.4mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, seatbelt pretensioners, side impact beams, ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/heightmm tba

BACK WITH AN OPEN AND SHUT CASE
You may remember the first Vauxhall Tigra. You may well have even bought one. Forget about it now. Here’s one that’s actually worth having. 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 there’s quite a bit of brand equity in the Tigra name. When Vauxhall decided to launch a new sporty tot, there really was only one option when it came to its moniker. Virtually everything else, however, is different.

Whereas the old Tigra was rather optimistically dubbed a 2+2 coupe, the latest version is an unashamed two seater. It’s 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 car’s 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. There’s 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"

There’s 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 Tigra’s handling. Vauxhall have the benefit of other’s 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 doesn’t 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 there’s 250 litres available – more than enough for a weekend’s light luggage for two. There’s 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 Tigra’s 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, it’s 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 can’t be sneezed at and a top speed of 127mph will be plenty for most customers. With the diesel, there’s a claimed 61mpg average economy figure to consider but 0-60mph performance of 15.5s isn’t 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 didn’t care much for the original Tigra, don’t 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