Thursday 12th July 2007

Return of the Calibra?

Vauxhall hints at GTC concept coupe becoming reality

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At the Geneva show in March, Opel/Vauxhall showed us the GTC concept coupe. It was

From this...

supposed to show us the design direction of the next Vectra, but consumers had other ideas.

Having been flooded with positive feedback about the GTC, GM is considering adding it to their European line up as the new Calibra.

They’re planning on making it as aerodynamic as its forebear, yet still capable of propelling a family of four across continents in relative comfort.

The new Vectra is going on sale late next summer, so any 'Calibra' could be a little way off yet. Vauxhall claims that making a coupe on the platform should be

...to this

easy, all they need to do is put on bigger doors and make a few structural changes.

We can't wait to see the VXR version…

Source: Autoexpress

[Mattygooner]

Looks Like a transformer....

[Morningside]

I always had a soft spot for the Calibra and thought it was one of the nicest looking cars around (at the time) compared to all the other dull offerings. I never did understand why Vauxhall dropped it, perhaps it was at a time of anti sports car? Would be nice to see one back on the road. Perhaps in a nice crisp white?

What next, an Opel Manta?

Edited by Morningside on Thursday 12th July 14:06

[Hendry]

Morningside said:

I always had a soft spot for the Calibra and thought it was one of the nicest looking cars around (at the time) compared to all the other dull offerings. I never did understand why Vauxhall dropped it, perhaps it was at a time of anti sports car? Would be nice to see one back on the road. Perhaps in a nice crisp white?

What next, an Opel Manta?

Edited by Morningside on Thursday 12th July 14:06

As I recall they dropped it because it was getting ancient and when they stopped producing the Cavalier it was based on. The Peugeot 406 Coupe ruled the roost for a while after that, but of course the 407 Coupe is not a patch on that looks wise, so Vauxhall steal a lead again with the GTC.

[astrsxi77]

I think Vaux let the Calibra run for as long as they possibly could. Remember that it was built along-side the Vectra until '98, long after the Cav had died. It could no longer cut it dynamically against the aforementioned 406 Coupe. They replaced it with the Astra Coupe technically but somehow, the looks never really transfered successfully.
I recall reading (in Autocar?) that this coupe concept thing will be larger than the already none-to-small Vectra C! That can't be good.

[Road_Terrorist]

Morningside said:

I never did understand why Vauxhall dropped it, perhaps it was at a time of anti sports car?

The Astra coupe was supposedly the replacement, except that it looked a bit crap, especially with that tacked on Astra front end.

[Dunk76]

Calibra Turbo was one of the most underrated cars of it's era I think.

Awesomely fast, gripped like nothing else, and a nice looking thing to boot. It didn't handle as bad as the press made out, you simply needed to drive it in a particular way to get the best out of it. If you got it turned in cleanly it was almost impossible to crash.

Managed to hustle mine round Goodwood, in the wet, with 240bhp, in 1min 37secs.

[Steameh]

Great, will it have the same driver base too, standing next to m5's and other performance oriented cars bragging about its aerodynamic qualities and slipstreaming ability.

[dinkel]

I like it! Dutch Autosalon Rai this spring.

[Garlick]

Morningside said:

I never did understand why Vauxhall dropped it

The surplus previous generation cars were sold to councils for snow ploughs

[jacko lah]

Morningside said:

What next, an Opel Manta?

Edited by Morningside on Thursday 12th July 14:06

after the wife said my mk2 cav "was not a real classic car, just a boring grot box" I was thinking Opel Manta with a Calibra Turbo LET. That would shut her up. Let me dream a bit more.

[ec523]

Is it me or does that air thing by the front lights look like the car is crying...making it as sad as the previous ones.

The Blue one looks much nicer IMO...anyway if it is not going to be like a Monaro then I say to Vauxhall "DON'T BOTHER"

[MitchT]

Looks good... but I suspect the drive train will finish at the wrong end of the car.

[Razor_101]

Wow, a Nissan Primera with a body kit. Just what we need.

[dipwing]

I know not many people think Vauxhalls are cool but the "new" Calibra look blinking fantastic.
Walking past a copy of Auto Express in Morrisons the otherday, I had to backtrack and gawp. I love it!

It's the dog's dangly bits!!

[seth105]

The blue one looks very much like the new TT, and I know which I'd much rather have! Esp. no competition vs the very desirable quattro if the drive train turns out to be on the wrong end! Good attempt nonetheless...

[Steameh]

I wish companies would stop fannying about with the power of their cars. If what you say is correct why bother making 4 different choices through 2 engines? Why not make 2 like the TT. I'd prefer having one for turbo nuts, and another for those who like more than 4 cylinders.

I know they will want to sell as many as possible and I bet the 120ps model would be about 5k cheaper than the V6 model, but give me a break, it ruins the exclusivity of the car being a sports car.

[annodomini2]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I like the look of the concept car, however this to me just looks like they've taken the basic shape of the Continental GT and shrunk it (the bentley's a big car), stuck VX corporate nose and tail tweaks on it. And then stolen the styling 'tweaks' from the chav section at Halfords.

Its not ugly per say, but IMO lazy, they had a good looking change in direction which would grab peoples attention. What did they do combine the astra and vectra front ends and slap it on.

Given it will be based on the vectra I personally wouldn't expect much.

Poor selection of engines, suggests def. no rear drive (BOOO HISSS!), and no V8.

Opportunity lost Vauxhall.

[irs]

dinkel said:

I like it! Dutch Autosalon Rai this spring.

This YES, YES, YES the blue one, far too drab. Come on let's have the concept.!!!

[dinkel]

I can imagine a WRX slayer . . .

[cliff123]

Lots of nissan 350z and honda civic design features in this car... Will it actually hit the roads looking like that, or will it get pulled back to look like ever other vauxhall?