Holden Tigra
| Company type | Car model |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Predecessor | Opel Corsa (platform) |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Defunct | 2009 |
| Headquarters | Rüsselsheim , Germany |
| Products | Compact coupé and convertible cars |
The Opel Tigra designation identifies two separate vehicles produced by the German manufacturer Opel, each derived from different iterations of the Opel Corsa supermini. The initial model was a 2+2 coupé manufactured between 1994 and 2000 in Spain. The subsequent version, introduced in May 2004, was a compact hardtop convertible roadster. Internationally, the Tigra was marketed under various brand names: as the Vauxhall Tigra in the United Kingdom, Holden Tigra in Australia, and Chevrolet Tigra across Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico.
Tigra A (1994–2000)
The original Tigra originated from a coupé concept revealed at the 1993 Frankfurt Motor Show and entered production in early 1994 at Opel’s Zaragoza facility. While it utilized the second-generation Opel Corsa chassis, it featured exclusive bodywork and a redesigned interior layout, though it retained the Corsa’s dashboard and engine options. The vehicle accommodated a compact 2+2 seating arrangement, with limited rear passenger space typical of coupé designs.
This model was equipped with two petrol engines from GM’s Ecotec range: an entry-level 1.4 L delivering PS and a sportier 1.6 L with PS, the latter borrowed from the Corsa GSi. The smaller engine offered an optional four-speed automatic transmission, whereas the 1.6 L version included front fog lamps as standard equipment. Both powerplants featured DOHC architecture with 16 valves and electronic fuel injection.
Its suspension system was adapted from the Corsa but received tuning by Lotus to enhance driving dynamics; however, increased weight slightly reduced acceleration performance. The 1.6 L Tigra accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in roughly 10.5 seconds, marginally slower than the Corsa GSi counterpart. Aerodynamic efficiency contributed to a top speed of , aided by a drag coefficient of 0.31 and larger wheel dimensions.
Globally, the Tigra was distributed under various marques: as Chevrolet Tigra in Latin American markets—briefly imported to Brazil before economic factors curtailed imports—and as Vauxhall Tigra within the UK. In Brazil, only the less powerful 1.6 L variant was available, featuring smaller wheels to reduce costs.
Production ceased in July 2000 after achieving worldwide sales nearing 256,392 units; Germany alone accounted for over 59,000 sales during this timeframe.
Tigra TwinTop B (2004–2009)
Following a four-year interval, Opel reinstated the Tigra nameplate in June 2004 with a sports car based on the third-generation Opel Corsa C. The Tigra TwinTop presented a two-seat coupé convertible equipped with a retractable hardtop roof, comparable to the design of the Peugeot 206 CC.
Debuting at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show and manufactured by French coachbuilder Heuliez, production commenced in October that year. The lineup included two petrol engines: a base Family 0 1.4 L unit generating , alongside a higher-output Ecotec 1.8 L engine sourced from the Corsa GSi delivering . In 2005, a fuel-efficient diesel variant powered by Fiat’s Multijet 1.3 L engine was introduced.
In Australia, this second generation was marketed as the XC series Holden Tigra and offered exclusively with the 1.8 L petrol engine. Production wrapped up in May 2009 with total global output around 90,874 vehicles.