The debut of the new Tigra TwinTop at the Geneva Motor Show (March 4 to14, 2004) will make Opel the first German volume manufacturer to offer a sporty two-seater with an electro-hydraulic, retractable steel roof that opens and closes automatically at the touch of a button. With dynamic lines and impressive versatility, the new Tigra offers cabriolet fresh air or coupé motoring. Whether as a cabrio or coupé, the Tigra features a generous, usable trunk with a volume of up to 440 liters – thanks to the ingenious design of the retractable roof, which folds almost vertically into the body. An additional 70 liters of storage space is available behind the seats, adding up to a classleading total of more than 500 liters. The Tigra's trunk lid also opens and shuts electrohydraulically at the touch of a button.
Equipped with Opel's innovative TWINPORT fuel-saving technology, the new Tigra's 1.4-liter ECOTEC engine generates 66 kW/90 hp. Both this unit and the more powerful 1.8 ECOTEC with 92 kW/125 hp meet Euro-4 emission standards. A five-speed manual gearshift is standard equipment and the 1.4 TWINPORT is also available with the Easytronic automated manual transmission.
Carl-Peter Forster, Chairman and Managing Director of Adam Opel AG: "The Tigra TwinTop is an attractive car for the young and young at heart, for buyers who are seeking a sporty and exciting looking vehicle. The Tigra also plays an important role in our model offensive and shows the new direction we've taken with our product portfolio, 20 percent of which will soon consist of niche models."
The innovative electro-hydraulic roof mechanism is the highlight of the Opel Tigra TwinTop. The two-section steel roof closes and opens automatically. At the touch of a button the hardtop folds almost vertically into a shaft between the cockpit and the trunk. Thus, even with the roof down, the Tigra still offers ample storage space of 250 liters – enough, for example, for a crate of drinks. Volume increases to 440 liters with the roof up and additional interior storage space behind the seats (accessible from the cockpit) provides another 70 liters for bags and jackets etcetera. The heated rear windshield is made of scratchproof glass.
From the outside, the new Opel Tigra is a compact, well-proportioned two-seater with eye-catching details. The dynamic styling is a new interpretation of the Opel design language. The front features the trapezoid grille with matte chrome lateral bar typical of Opel, the characteristic crease in the hood, large inlets in the bumper, and 3D ellipsoid headlamps with cylindrical lights. A side view reveals short overhangs and a flat windshield; a purposeful wedge shape rising towards the rear and lightly tucked in at the flanks; and pronounced side sills. The attention to detail is evident in the air vents on the front fenders with integrated side blinkers, as well as in the distinctive line of the roof structure. The rear section of the roof is also available in a contrasting color to create a distinctive visual effect. In the rear, large wraparound taillights and an elegant matte chrome molding in the bumper round off the dynamic appearance.
The interior of the Tigra features two-tone bucket seats as standard equipment, chrome-ringed instruments and numerous aluminum accents. Two aluminum colored strips connecting the center console and transmission tunnel lend a special flair. The aerodynamic profile of the unusually shaped, aluminum roll hoop is another design highlight.
The respected coachbuilder Groupe Henri Heuliez S.A. in Cerizay, France produces the new Opel Tigra TwinTop. Sales are due to begin in late summer 2004.
Source: Opel
