The Opel Calibra (badged as a Vauxhall in the UK, Holden in Australia and New Zealand and Chevrolet in South America) was launched in 1989, a front-wheel drive coupé based around the running gear of the Opel Vectra A, (Cavalier under the Vauxhall name), but with a different rear suspention, which had been launched the year before.
The Calibra, styled by the American head of GM design Europe, Wayne Cherry (retired), is considered by some the most stylish Vauxhall/Opel ever, but being based on the Vectra chassis its ride and handling were not significantly better than that of the family car from which it grew. It was, however, the most aerodynamically efficient Opel ever, with a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.26 . It remained the most aerodynamic mass production car for the next 10 years, until the Honda Insight was launched in 1999 with a Cd of 0.25.
Calibra production was based in two Opel factories, Rüsselsheim in Germany and Uusikaupunki in Finland. Determining which plant any specific Calibra was produced at is possible by checking the VIN.
Power was initially from 2.0 L 8-valve (85kw/115 bhp C20NE) and 16-valve fuel-injected (110kw/150 bhp C20XE) four-cylinder engines. In 1992 a turbocharged 2.0 L engine (150kw/204 bhp)(a C20LET, the turbocharged version of the C20XE) was added to the range. With four-wheel drive, a six-speed Getrag manual transmission (F28/6) and a claimed top speed of 240 km/h (150 mph), this flagship model finally gave the Calibra the dynamics to match its looks.
In 1994 a 125kw/167 hp 2.5 L V6 (C25XE) was introduced, thus creating what many considered to be the finest Calibra to date. Available with both manual and automatic transmissions, the V6 wasn't as fast as the Turbo, but was rather more civilised, and proved to be more reliable than the complex four-wheel drive model with its notorious transfer box issues. 1995 saw the introduction of the X20XEV Ecotec engine, more reliable derivative of the classic C20XE 16-valve or "red top" engine. This marked a reduction in power from 150 bhp to 136 bhp for the 16-valve version, although the Turbo continued with the C20LET.
During its lifetime, the Calibra was much more popular than its nearest rival, the Ford Probe, which was considered to be underpowered and too American for most European drivers.
In 1995, the Vectra A was replaced, but Calibra production proceded until it was discontinued at the end of 1997. Although a smaller coupe (the Tigra) was available, the marque was left without a mid-sized coupé until the Astra Coupé was launched in 2000.
As of 2006, the world's fastest accelerating street-legal car has been determined to be a 1993 Vauxhall Calibra, owned by Steve Pateman, boasting a 1.25 second 0 to 60 mile per hour time, and an 8.14 second quarter-mile time. However, the car has been heavily modified, including a big-block Chevrolet V8 and a steel tube chassis
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