Opel Tigra 1.6 16V
The Opel Tigra was a product of the 1990s small coupe boom. When the Toyota Paseo, Hyundai Coupe, and Fiat Coupe proved there was a market for affordable small coupes, Opel responded with the Tigra — a pretty little two-seater based on the Corsa B platform that offered sporting style and reasonable performance at an accessible price.
The Tigra's styling was its strongest suit. Designed by Opel's Hideo Kodama, the car featured a compact, well-proportioned body with a low roofline, rounded headlamps, and a distinctive rear end with high-mounted tail lights. The overall effect was cute rather than aggressive — the Tigra was clearly aimed at young buyers, particularly women, who wanted something more exciting than a standard supermini.
The 1.6-liter 16-valve Ecotec engine was the enthusiast's choice, producing 106 hp. In the lightweight Tigra body (just 1,000 kg), this provided lively performance — 0-100 km/h in about 10 seconds and a top speed of 195 km/h. The engine was willing and rev-happy, making the most of its modest displacement. A 1.4-liter 16-valve option with 90 hp was also available for those prioritizing economy over performance.
The driving experience was typical of Corsa-based cars of the era. The steering was light and direct, the handling was nimble if not particularly engaging, and the ride was acceptable given the short wheelbase. The torsion beam rear suspension limited ultimate handling capability, but for the intended audience, the Tigra was fun and easy to drive.
The interior was cozy and well-presented, though the fixed rear window and two-seat layout limited practicality. The dashboard was driver-oriented, with clear instrumentation and a sports steering wheel. Boot space was limited but sufficient for weekend getaways.
The Tigra sold over 250,000 units during its production run — a commercial success that validated Opel's entry into the sport coupe market. It was sold as the Vauxhall Tigra in the UK and the Holden Tigra in Australia. While it was never a serious performance car, the Tigra served as an attractive, affordable entry point into the world of sport coupes.
Today, the Tigra is a nostalgic piece of 1990s automotive design. Good examples are increasingly hard to find as many have been used up and scrapped. Low-mileage, unmodified 1.6 16V examples are the most desirable and are beginning to attract collector interest as affordable youngtimers.
Rust is the primary concern — check sills, floor pans, wheel arches, and around the windshield seal. The 1.6 16V Ecotec engine is generally reliable but check for head gasket weeping and timing chain rattle at high mileage. The gearbox is robust. The fixed rear glass limits rearward visibility. Check for accident damage as many Tigras were driven by young, inexperienced drivers. Interior trim quality is adequate but wears quickly. The 1.6 16V is significantly more desirable than the 1.4. Clean, low-mileage examples are becoming rare.
252,641 units produced (1994-2001). Manufactured at GM's Zaragoza plant in Spain. Available with 1.4L 16V (90 hp) and 1.6L 16V (106 hp) engines. Sold as Vauxhall Tigra in UK, Holden Tigra in Australia. The Tigra B successor (2004-2009) was a different car with a retractable hardtop. The original Tigra was based on the Corsa B platform.