1989 Vauxhall Calibra

Vauxhall Calibra (Coupe), 1989-1997

The Vauxhall Calibra was in production from 1989 until 1997. Styled in house, it is a front-engine, front wheel drive coupe range seating four adults.

Developed as a replacement to the Opel Manta, the Calibra followed the time homoured tradition of being based on the mid range Opel. saloon - but where the Manta had been based upon the Ascona, the Calibra would be based on the new Opel Vectra, the car we in Britain knew as the Vauxhall Cavalier Mk3. Inside, it shared the dashboard of the base car, destroying the illusion apparent from outside that this might be a junior Aston Martin Virage. The Calibra was one of the most aerodynamic production cars of all time, in early 2.0 spec with the narrow wheels and aerodynamic trims. It wowed the public from launch - even if it did drive much like the Cavalier upon which it was based.

Available with 2.0 engines of 8 and 16v flavour, the Calibra would also eventually become available with Vauxhall's Ecotec V6. But before then, it would be fitted with a turbocharger to create the Calibra turbo 4x4. This was one of the most powerful cars available at its price point, with 200bhp and all wheel drive giving it performance that could shame some Porsches. It became one of the most desired cars in the world by the pantheons of sales reps in their Cavaliers; a dream which could be attainable if only they kept exceeding their targets. These are the most valuable Calibras today. Discontinued in 1997, it wouldn't be replaced until Vauxhall launched the smaller Astra Coupe.

The Calibra's closest rival would have been the Ford probe, which despite American styling mores appealed to a similar section of the motoring public. Alternatively the Nissan 200SX, the Fiat Coupe and even the Mazda Mx-6 would have been on the list drawn up by potential Calibra purchasers. Today it would be more than reasonable to consider the Opel Manta as an alternative - while the Ford Capri met a similar need, it was outdated by the time of the Calibra's launch and its image during the 1990s was rather too passé for Calibra man to take seriously.