OPEL TIGRA 1.6 16V
“The new generation coupé”
OPEL TIGRA 1.6 16V
“The new generation coupé”
YEAR: 1995
The Opel Tigra perfectly captures the vibrant energy of the 90s : a compact coupé that thrilled the roads with its iconic and ingenious design, a reflection of motoring’s golden age. It was the object of desire for countless motorists. Today, thirty years on, it remains remarkably modern.
After all, you don’t need tens of thousands of pounds to enter the world of classic cars…
Historical background
Opel's golden age
In the early 90s, a stylistic revolution was underway at Opel’s Design Centre in Rüsselsheim; following the success of the Opel Calibra, a risky project that had paid off handsomely, the decision was made to replicate the formula, this time transforming the Corsa supermini into a compact coupé. The most daring project was chosen, that of Japanese designer Hideo Kodama, who designed a 2+2 with a unique silhouette, aiming to capture the hearts of young drivers. The red prototype was unveiled at the 1993 Frankfurt Motor Show; flowing lines and curves on a low, compact body, characterised by a prominent B-pillar and a huge black rear window that almost entirely enveloped the cabin. Opel realised they’d struck gold again and began production a few months later, creating a new market segment. Two Ecotec engines were available: a 1.4 16v 90bhp and a 1.6 106bhp. Dynamic, rebellious, eccentric: the Tigra, produced at the Zaragoza plant, was based on the “Corsa B” and followed in the footsteps of the Calibra, but in a younger, more accessible guise. Opel’s engineers and designers, despite constraints on cost and shared platforms, managed to produce a commercially perfect product, driven by a relentless marketing strategy that linked the car to sporting champions, rock bands (e.g., Litfiba), and youth-oriented TV programmes (e.g., Jammin Italia). Despite the Opel Corsa being an equally successful but more practical model, offering more space at a lower price, many couldn’t resist the Tigra, willing to squeeze friends and teenage children into the tiny rear seats just to have the little coupé in their garage. A real craze that involved adults and ‘daddy’s boys’, the ‘yuppies’ of the 90s ready to do anything to drive it.
The competition? Simple: there wasn’t any. The Ford Puma arrived in 1997, but it didn’t in the slightest threaten the supremacy of the little German car. The Tigra was sold in Australia, Latin America, Great Britain and, of course, Europe, eventually exceeding 250,000 units produced. A true icon of the 90s, still followed by a large community of enthusiasts today.
Technical specifications
- BODY TYPE: coupé
- SEATS: 2+2 (rear seats suitable for passengers up to 160cm tall)
- LENGTH: 392 cm
- WIDTH: 160 cm
- HEIGHT: 134 cm
- WHEELBASE: 243 cm
- WEIGHT: 1115kg
- ENGINE: Ecotec 1.6 16v
- DISPLACEMENT: 1598 cc
- POWER OUTPUT: 106 hp
- FUEL: Petrol
- DRIVETRAIN: FWD
- TRANSMISSION: 5-speed manual
- SPEEED: 203 km/h
Driving experience – high-speed run
Commercial successes, like the Tigra becoming a highly desirable car throughout the 90s, take longer to earn their place among classic cars, especially compared to more exclusive models. This is because the model needs to disappear from the roads for a while, becoming somewhat “forgotten”, giving nostalgic enthusiasts, years later, a chance to re-evaluate it as a youngtimer. This was the case for the Opel Tigra. It took thirty years, but seeing one on the road today has the same striking effect as when the first models left the dealerships. This little coupé, more so today than back then, is one of the most stylistically interesting cars on the road, especially if we forget the brand for a moment, or avoid the usual Generation X nostalgia. It’s very comfortable to drive (at least for the two front passengers), and in urban traffic it’s always ready for brisk getaways (106bhp is no small feat); however, the Tigra seems to prefer out-of-town routes, thanks to its long gearing, which never lets it down, even on the motorway, where exceeding the speed limit is all too easy. To make it truly sporty, a firmer suspension than the original would suffice – not exactly soft, but in its original configuration it represents a compromise between urban and extra-urban use. The facts speak for themselves: this sporty Opel has won over not only the young audience it always targeted, but a much broader market than originally intended, giving its owners a dream come true and a driving experience that still sets hearts racing today.
In search of blue – Passione Classica’s Opel Tigra 1.6 16v
Recalling the Tigra craze of the time, which led me to drive one for several years, I recently found a car that perfectly matched my teenage dreams: a stunning first-series “Ceramic Blue” model, complete with the original Irmscher spoiler. Purchased near Verbania and given a complete service (engine oil, gearbox oil, brake fluid, timing belt, fuel pump…), it’s now officially registered with the ASI. Now, as beautiful as ever, it represents an affordable opportunity to enter the world of classic cars, and drive a true icon. Back then a 1.6 16V with these extras would have cost almost 30 million Lire!
Driving experience – high-speed run
Commercial successes, like the Tigra becoming a highly desirable car throughout the 90s, take longer to earn their place among classic cars, especially compared to more exclusive models. This is because the model needs to disappear from the roads for a while, becoming somewhat “forgotten”, giving nostalgic enthusiasts, years later, a chance to re-evaluate it as a youngtimer. This was the case for the Opel Tigra. It took thirty years, but seeing one on the road today has the same striking effect as when the first models left the dealerships. This little coupé, more so today than back then, is one of the most stylistically interesting cars on the road, especially if we forget the brand for a moment, or avoid the usual Generation X nostalgia. It’s very comfortable to drive (at least for the two front passengers), and in urban traffic it’s always ready for brisk getaways (106bhp is no small feat); however, the Tigra seems to prefer out-of-town routes, thanks to its long gearing, which never lets it down, even on the motorway, where exceeding the speed limit is all too easy. To make it truly sporty, a firmer suspension than the original would suffice – not exactly soft, but in its original configuration it represents a compromise between urban and extra-urban use. The facts speak for themselves: this sporty Opel has won over not only the young audience it always targeted, but a much broader market than originally intended, giving its owners a dream come true and a driving experience that still sets hearts racing today.
In search of blue – Passione Classica’s Opel Tigra 1.6 16v
Recalling the Tigra craze of the time, which led me to drive one for several years, I recently found a car that perfectly matched my teenage dreams: a stunning first-series “Ceramic Blue” model, complete with the original Irmscher spoiler. Purchased near Verbania and given a complete service (engine oil, gearbox oil, brake fluid, timing belt, fuel pump…), it’s now officially registered with the ASI. Now, as beautiful as ever, it represents an affordable opportunity to enter the world of classic cars, and drive a true icon. Back then a 1.6 16V with these extras would have cost almost 30 million Lire!
Price
€ 7.200,00
The cars in my garage
