The Opel Calibra was a sporty coupé made by Opel from 1989 to 1997. It was sold as the Vauxhall Calibra in the UK, Chevrolet Calibra in South America, and Holden Calibra in Australia and New Zealand. The Calibra replaced the Opel Manta and competed with Japanese sports cars like the Toyota Celica and Nissan 200SX.
The Calibra was known for its sleek design. When it first came out, it had the best aerodynamics of any production car, with a drag coefficient of 0.26. This helped it drive smoothly and efficiently. It also had unique slim headlights, which were part of its stylish look and helped improve airflow.
The Calibra came with different engines:
- 2.0 L 4-cylinder (115 hp)
- 2.0 L 4-cylinder (150 hp)
- 2.0 L Turbo 4-cylinder (204 hp)
- 2.5 L V6 (170 hp)
The turbocharged models were the fastest, reaching a top speed of 245 km/h. The V6 model could go up to 230 km/h. The Calibra was also available with four-wheel drive (4WD) for better handling and traction.
Even though it was a sporty car, the Calibra was practical. It had space for four people and a 300-liter boot for luggage, making it more useful than many other sports cars. The ride was comfortable, and it handled well, especially in the sportier versions with upgraded suspension.
Special Editions
There were special versions of the Calibra, such as:
- Opel Calibra 2.0 16V
- Opel Calibra Turbo 2.0
- Opel Calibra V6 2.5
These models were faster and had unique features that made them stand out.
The Opel Calibra was a stylish, fast, and practical sports car. It was a good choice for people who wanted a fun car but also needed something practical. Today, it is still appreciated by car enthusiasts, especially the turbo and V6 versions.
Key Models and Specs:
-
Opel Calibra 2.0 16V
- Power: 115 hp
- Top Speed: 200 km/h
-
Opel Calibra Turbo 2.0
- Power: 204 hp
- Top Speed: 245 km/h
-
Opel Calibra V6 2.5
- Power: 170 hp
- Top Speed: 230 km/h

The Opel Calibra was a sporty coupé made by Opel from 1989 to 1997. It was sold as the Vauxhall […]

I decided to write about the Opel Vectra because I think it’s one of those underrated cars that doesn’t get […]

The Opel Manta B, the second-generation model to carry the Manta name, debuted in August 1975. Built on the redesigned […]

Opel launched the Manta A in September 1970, just before the release of the Opel Ascona, the family car it […]

The Opel Kadett is one of those classic cars that have a fascinating journey through time, evolving with each generation. […]

In 1970, Opel launched the Ascona A, a car that quickly became a favorite for many. It was positioned between […]

The Opel Ascona C, launched in August 1981, marked a significant shift for Opel as it was part of General […]

The second generation of the Ascona series, the Opel Ascona B, was unveiled in August 1975 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. […]