September 2008

Opel Tigra TwinTop: Sporty Cabrio-Coupé for All Seasons

• Two cars in one – from coupé to cabrio in just 18 seconds
• Two gasoline engines and one CDTI turbo-diesel ensure driving fun
• Trunk plus compartment have load volume of around 400 liters

Rüsselsheim. The Opel Tigra TwinTop enhances the class of sporty two-seaters with electro-hydraulic retractable steel roofs. Depending on the weather and driver’s mood, this dynamic quick-change artist offers open air fun or coupé driving pleasure, transforming at the touch of a button in only 18 seconds. The Tigra TwinTop was enthusiastically received by the public and car experts alike right from its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in 2004, and was crowned “Cabrio of the Year” by an international jury.

New in model year 2009

The Tigra TwinTop, Tigra TwinTop Edition as well as the special edition models “Endless Summer” and “ILLUSION” are so popular that Opel moves forward with minimal changes to this attractive model line. The more brilliant power red exterior lacquer replaces magma red. And the optimized 1.8 ECOTEC engine features lower fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.

Design and packaging

The Tigra TwinTop is designed for customers who pay a lot of attention to soft criteria when buying a car. The cabrio-coupé’s dynamic body lines make it an eye-catcher, open or closed. The two-seater’s sporty interior offers plenty of space, so that even taller occupants can travel very comfortably.
The Opel Tigra TwinTop’s special highlight is its sophisticated retractable steel roof, which uses an electro-hydraulic system to allow easy opening and closing at the touch of a button. The Tigra boasts storage volume of around 400 liters – 328 liters in the trunk and an additional 53 liters in a compartment behind the seats. With the top down, the trunk offers roughly 170 liters of luggage capacity in addition to the interior storage compartment. Just like the retractable roof, the trunk lid opens and closes electro-hydraulically at the touch of a button, which is especially practical and convenient.

Body and passive safety

The foundation for the Tigra TwinTop’s excellent passive safety is the extremely stable passenger compartment. It features deformation zones that transform impact energy through controlled deformation in the event of a collision. The A-pillars are reinforced with high-strength steel pipes, and the wave-shaped bar is anchored to a stable transverse beam located in front of the luggage compartment.

The Tigra is also equipped with an extensive safety package for passenger protection. It includes four airbags (two front and two side airbags), three-point safety belts with belt pretensioners and belt-force limiters, the patented Pedal Release System (PRS) and height-adjustable head restraints.

Equipment and extras

The Opel Tigra TwinTop is available in two equipment lines, both featuring extensive standard equipment, and two special-edition models. Highlights include:
Tigra TwinTop – Electro-hydraulic retractable steel roof and trunk lid, power steering, heated power exterior mirrors, power windows, height-adjustable steering wheel and
sport seats for driver and passenger, sport chassis (1.8 version), radio remote control central locking
Tigra TwinTop Edition (in addition to Tigra TwinTop) – Air conditioning, stereo CD-Radio with MP3 player and remote controls on steering wheel, leather steering wheel, aluminum sport pedals (not with Easytronic), fabric/Morrocana upholstery in leather look, 16-inch alloy wheels
Tigra TwinTop “Endless Summer” (in addition to Tigra TwinTop Edition) – “Crimson Red” or “Anthracite Silverline” leather trim, floor mats, heated seats, on-board computer with graphic info display, metallic or pearlescent lacquer, white instrument dials, black or silver safety belts, 17-inch bi-color alloy wheels in five-spoke design
Tigra TwinTop “ILLUSION” (in addition to Tigra TwinTop “Endless Summer”) – Retractable steel roof with Bordeaux Red canvas for soft-top look

Customers can individualize the Tigra TwinTop with a broad selection of extras and accessories, ranging from stationary heating and cruise control to park pilot and windbreak. Many of the options are sensibly grouped together, such as in the stylish Leather and sporty OPC Line packages. Infotainment systems up to the MP3-compatible stereo CD-Radio CD 70 Navi with integrated navigation system complete the range of special options.

Chassis and active safety

The Tigra TwinTop owes its safe and agile handling to its exceptionally rigid two-seat body construction. Specially reinforced steel pipes in the side sills and doors, as well as sturdy cross members in the underbody behind the seats ensure high torsional rigidity, even when the roof is down. The Tigra TwinTop’s chassis is based on a McPherson front axle suspended from a subframe, and a torsion-beam rear axle with trailing links and coil springs. The wide track, long wheelbase and self-stabilizing axle kinematics contribute to the two-seater’s precise handling, driving comfort and high level of active safety.

Compared with the 1.4 TWINPORT and 1.3 CDTI variants, the 1.8-liter top-of-the-line Tigra version has a more stiffly tuned chassis, which features reinforced stabilizers at the front axle to further reduce body roll, as well as a modified torsion profile at the rear axle. This enables even more precise handling, improved road holding, as well as more direct steering response.

The Tigra TwinTop is one of the first vehicles in its class to feature the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) in all variants as standard. ESP maintains driving stability with engine and brake intervention in critical driving situations. The two-seater is also fitted with the latest-generation ABS system and brake assist, which reduces stopping distance in the event of emergency braking.

Engines and transmissions

The Tigra TwinTop is available with a choice of three four-cylinder ECOTEC engines – two gasoline units (66 kW/90 hp, 92 kW/125 hp) and one 51 kW/70 hp diesel (not for “Endless Summer” and “ILLUSION” models). All three engines boast refined performance and low fuel consumption. The 1.8 ECOTEC with 92 kW/125 hp is now even more economical thanks to reduced internal friction and optimized calibration of engine management. The 1.3 CDTI, voted “Engine of the Year 2005” in the 1.0 to 1.4-liter class, can be retrofitted with a diesel particulate filter.

A five-speed manual transmission is standard in all Tigra models. The automated Easytronic manual transmission is available as an option with the 1.4-liter TWINPORT engine. Easytronic combines the operating comfort of an automatic transmission with the sporty and fuel-efficient characteristics of a manual gearbox. In addition, the driver has the option of choosing between manual and automatic shifting modes at any time.

Economic efficiency and costs

The Tigra TwinTop owes its low operating costs to its three fuel-efficient ECOTEC engines. Customers also benefit from the car’s extended service intervals and limited scope of required maintenance. Other factors contributing to its low total cost of ownership include the Tigra’s advantageous insurance rating, low service and repair costs, as well as a favorable resale value. Opel grants a 12-year anti-perforation warranty on the Tigra TwinTop’s body, and the two-year new-car manufacturer’s warranty goes far beyond the mandatory guarantee.

Opel Tigra TwinTop: Facts and figures

Timeline:

• March 2004: World premiere at the Geneva Motor Show
• September 2004: Sales launch in Germany
• November 2004: Introduction of 1.3 CDTI ECOTEC engine and sport chassis for 1.8 top-of-the-line version
• August 2005: Limited edition “Linea Rossa”
• Fall 2005: Sales start in Australia and South Africa
• February 2006: Special edition “People’s Tigra” in cooperation with Bild.T-Online
• November 2006: Special “Design Edition” model
• November 2007: Special “Endless Summer” model
• February 2008: Special “ILLUSION” model

Highlights

• March 2004: Voted “Cabrio of the Year 2004” by a jury of international experts
• August/September 2004: Comparison test victories over international contenders in the German automotive publications “Auto Strassenverkehr,” “auto motor und sport” and “Auto Bild”
• March 2005: Chosen as “Car smart to buy” in a reader survey by the magazines “Guter Rat” and “Super Illu” in the cabrio and coupé category
• June 2005: 1.3 CDTI ECOTEC voted “Engine of the Year 2005” in the 1.0 to 1.4-liter class
• October 2005: Comparison test winner in automotive magazine “Auto Zeitung”
• January 2006: Third place in “Best Value 2006” awards in “Auto Bild” magazine
• March 2006: Three-car comparison test winner in “Auto Bild” magazine
• Most popular engine in Germany in first half of 2008: 1.4 TWINPORT
• Most popular equipment package in Germany in first half of 2008: Edition