Now we embark on the invigorating open top motoring and the 1.4 litre petrol engine powering the Tigra is rather sluggish I will have to admit and absolutely hates hill. I am sure this is a cunning disguise not to get our hair too ruffled by keeping our speed down and oh yes those invaluable points on our licence. Still she could have been a bit gutsier in acceleration taking 12 seconds to reach 62mph and having a top speed of 112mph.
However this reflects back into the excellent fuel consumption of 46.3 mpg on a combined cycle and further savings with CO2 emission down at146. The ride and handling was pretty impressive thanks to Vauxhall’s Dynamic Safety Chassis which has been enhanced for the Tigra and offers good driving dynamics helped further by the front suspension that has been lowered by 5mm and the rear by 20mm. The Tigra comes with a five speed manual transmission and excellent responsive power steering that will glide you through the country lanes as well as the parking bays.
In case you misjudge the bend for any reason the latest generation of ABS system along with ESP and disc brakes all around, will provide a high degree of a safety and assurance in addition to a two stage brake booster with brake assist function that disproportionably reinforces brake pressure in the event of emergency braking and helps to reduce the braking distance.
That takes care of the car, how about the occupants? Well they have driver, passenger and side airbags, lap and shoulder seatbelts with pretensioners and belt force limiters, height adjustable head restraints and the patented Pedal Release System. The Tigra also boasts a robust cabin whereby the passenger cell features deformation zones on the front, sides and rear that transforms impact energy through controlled deformation in the event of a collision. The A- pillars are reinforced with high strength steer and the funky wave shaped aluminium bar is anchored to a stable transverse beam located in front of the luggage compartment.
This is very reassuring, as while cabriolets are just the best things to drive ever, you do feel vulnerable in them with the fear of rolling over in the foremost of your thoughts. I fell for this car hook line and sinker; it was such fun to drive, looks absolutely great with or without a top and I loved the red leather seats but really appreciated the fact they were heated for our bizarre weather conditions. The best news will have to be affordability with this particular model standing in at a very respectable £15,195 on the road. Further cost savings are found in long maintenance intervals of 20,000 miles, six year paint perforation warranty on the Tigra body and there year manufactures guarantee on the entire vehicle along with an insurance group of 10.
Now that’s what I call value for money and worth every penny to feel and experience the thrills of open top motoring.
FemaleFirst Jackie Violet