Opel Calibra

Lore & Background

The Calibra was styled by GM's designer Wayne Cherry and German designer Erhard Schnell. Its slim 7 cm high headlamp, made possible by new ellipsoid technology developed with Hella, was key to the car's unique design and aerodynamics. To achieve the record Cd of 0.26, the prototype was tested at the DNW wind tunnel in the Netherlands over a rolling road; final alterations included tapering the rear waistline and rear side windows by about 50 mm, altering panel lines, and adding an integrated front spoiler, engine shield, and a panel connecting the fuel tank to the lower edge of the rear bumper. The Calibra was initially front-wheel drive only; four-wheel drive became available from November 1990. The 4WD turbo version used the rear axle of the Omega A with minor alterations. The Vectra A chassis and hatchback rear made the Calibra relatively practical, seating four average-sized passengers and holding 300 liters of luggage.

In the United Kingdom, the car was marketed as the Vauxhall Calibra; in South America as the Chevrolet Calibra; and in Australia and New Zealand as the Holden Calibra. The Opel grille was replaced by the Vauxhall 'V' badge in UK, Australian, and Latin American markets. Production took place at Rüsselsheim and at the Valmet Automotive plant in Finland (over 90,000 units). Experts attach great importance to Finnish-built cars having better build quality; the Rüsselsheim plant was notorious for saving on preservatives, and cars built there tend to rust more easily. The Calibra received a light facelift in summer 1994, with the manufacturer badge moving from the bonnet's leading edge into the front grille. Several special models were launched, including the Tickford conversion (only 26 cars), SE1 through SE9 editions, the Keke Rosberg edition, DTM edition, Cliff edition, Colour edition, and Last Edition. The last Calibra Turbos were produced in early 1997, followed by a final run of Turbo Limited Editions for the UK market, all finished in jet black with Irmscher suspension and BBS RX 16-inch alloys.

Reader's Guide

The Opel Calibra's significance lies in its aerodynamic achievement: it was the most aerodynamic mass-production car in the world at its 1989 launch, a record it held until the Honda Insight arrived in November 1999. This was accomplished through careful wind-tunnel refinement and innovative headlamp design. The Calibra was much more popular in Europe than its nearest rival, the Ford Probe, and outsold it. However, UK sales never reached the hoped-for 15,000 examples per year. The car's legacy is also marked by its multiple brand identities—sold as Opel, Vauxhall, Chevrolet, and Holden in different markets—and by the production quality distinction between the two assembly plants. The Calibra remained in production after the Vectra A was replaced in September 1995, continuing until June 1997. Although a smaller coupé (the Tigra) was available, Opel was left without a mid-sized coupé until the Astra Coupé launched in spring 2000, and without a sports car until the Opel Speedster arrived in July 2000. The Calibra's survival rate is low: in Germany around 5,060 cars remain on the road, in the UK around 450, and in the Netherlands around 750.

Did You Know?

• The Calibra's drag coefficient of 0.26 made it the most aerodynamic production car in the world at its 1989 launch.
• The slim 7 cm high headlamp was made possible by ellipsoid technology developed with Hella.
• Finnish-built Calibras (Valmet Automotive) are considered to have better build quality than those from Rüsselsheim, which tend to rust more easily.
• The Calibra was also marketed as the Vauxhall Calibra, Chevrolet Calibra, and Holden Calibra in different regions.