Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Vauxhall Tigra
CAR manufacturers selling convertible models in the UK owe a debt of gratitude to Mercedes-Benz. Were it not for the launch of the original SLK with its folding metal roof, sales in the UK wouldn’t be at the level they are now.
We are one of the biggest markets in Europe for soft-tops (more than 70,000 cars are sold in the UK annually), and the SLK’s two-in-one coupe and convertible body has made these cars much more practical for buyers thanks to the absence of a fabric roof and the security implications that go with it.
And now Vauxhall is getting in on the act with the Tigra, a two-seater based on the Corsa chassis with a clever hard roof which retracts into the body at the touch of a button. Car rental uk.
It works on the same principle as the SLK’s, with a double hinged boot which either opens conventionally to allow access to the luggage compartment, or tilts the other way to let the roof fold into its home.
With the roof in place the Tigra is a cosy two-seater coupe, which means there’s none of the wind roar associated with fabric roofs. With its silver coloured rear window surround, it also looks really stylish.
And with the roof folded away, the smart looks continue as it disappears flush under the large bootlid to leave a slick convertible with a pair of silver roll-over hoops behind the headrests. Car rental uk
Inside there’s a very simple cabin with all the controls located on a silver slab of plastic in the centre console. Allied to silver rimmed instruments and a chunky three-spoke steering wheel, the Tigra makes for a pleasant place to be. In 1.8-litre guise as tested, the Tigra offers 125bhp, which equates to brisk acceleration – 0-60mph takes nine seconds. Its key rival, Peugeot’s 206CC, has 138bhp but in reality feels little quicker. Car rental uk.
We are one of the biggest markets in Europe for soft-tops (more than 70,000 cars are sold in the UK annually), and the SLK’s two-in-one coupe and convertible body has made these cars much more practical for buyers thanks to the absence of a fabric roof and the security implications that go with it.
And now Vauxhall is getting in on the act with the Tigra, a two-seater based on the Corsa chassis with a clever hard roof which retracts into the body at the touch of a button. Car rental uk.
It works on the same principle as the SLK’s, with a double hinged boot which either opens conventionally to allow access to the luggage compartment, or tilts the other way to let the roof fold into its home.
With the roof in place the Tigra is a cosy two-seater coupe, which means there’s none of the wind roar associated with fabric roofs. With its silver coloured rear window surround, it also looks really stylish.
And with the roof folded away, the smart looks continue as it disappears flush under the large bootlid to leave a slick convertible with a pair of silver roll-over hoops behind the headrests. Car rental uk
Inside there’s a very simple cabin with all the controls located on a silver slab of plastic in the centre console. Allied to silver rimmed instruments and a chunky three-spoke steering wheel, the Tigra makes for a pleasant place to be. In 1.8-litre guise as tested, the Tigra offers 125bhp, which equates to brisk acceleration – 0-60mph takes nine seconds. Its key rival, Peugeot’s 206CC, has 138bhp but in reality feels little quicker. Car rental uk.
# posted by Liz Laurie @ 4:26 AM 
