The Allure of Convertibles: Vauxhall's New Tigra Review
When it comes to convertibles, there's no denying that they offer a unique appeal. Unlike hardtop cars, which are often less exciting, convertibles possess an undeniable charm that sets them apart. This is certainly true for Vauxhall's new Tigra, which takes inspiration from one of the most unremarkable cars on the market, the Vauxhall Corsa. Yet, despite its humble origins, the Tigra looks truly terrific, whether the roof is down or up.
One of the standout features of the Tigra is its clever folding hard top roof. This technology allows it to adapt seamlessly to any driving situation, making it perfect for those chilly winter evenings when a roof that can be easily opened and closed is essential. It's a feature that Vauxhall has clearly drawn from Pere's popular 206 Coupe convertible, which also boasts an impressive soft-top design. Moreover, it's worth noting that the Tigra's roof is built by the same French coach-building company used for Perse's cars, which might raise some concerns about reliability. However, with the early issues now presumably addressed, this shouldn't be a major concern.
In terms of driving dynamics, Vauxhall has certainly done its best to make the Tigra fun and engaging. The steering is quick and responsive, while the suspension isn't too squishy, ensuring that the ride is neither too bouncy nor too rough. Furthermore, when the roof is down, the car maintains its rigidity, a feat that few convertibles can match. While it may not be quite as exhilarating to drive around as a Mini Cooper Convertible, the Tigra still delivers an enjoyable driving experience.
One of the key reasons why Vauxhall should take the Tigra seriously is its exclusivity factor. Unlike most convertibles in this price bracket, which are often mass-produced and feel decidedly un-exclusive, the Tigra promises something different. With just 5,500 units allocated to the UK each year, compared to Mini's 10,000, this car feels like a rare gem. Moreover, the Tigra's design is far from girly, managing to be both stylish and butch at the same time.
The boot space is also noteworthy, boasting a class-leading size that should satisfy most road trips. However, there's one minor annoyance: accessing it from outside the car can only be done using a button on the door handle. This isn't too much of an issue when opening or closing the boot, but when you're in a hurry and it starts raining, things become less convenient.
The interior, unfortunately, is where Vauxhall has perhaps made its biggest misstep. While Corsa customers might have grown accustomed to this plastic slab of a dashboard, it fails to deliver on that front. The real deal sports cars should never have an interior like this, especially at such affordable prices. However, despite the poor interior, the Tigra still feels more substantial than Ford's Street car and is better-looking than Peugeot's 206cc. With fewer Tigras on the road compared to Mini Cooper convertibles, this exclusive appeal could ultimately prove to be a major selling point for Vauxhall.
In conclusion, Vauxhall's new Tigra has certainly done its best to deliver an enjoyable driving experience and an exclusive appeal that sets it apart from other convertibles in the same price bracket. While there are some minor annoyances with the boot access and interior design, these shouldn't detract too much from what is otherwise a fantastic sports car. With its clever folding roof, better looks than Ford's Street car, and promise of exclusivity, the Tigra promises to be a winner in the world of convertibles.
"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enwhatever the weather convertibles are much more interesting than the hardtop cars they're usually based upon this is no exception it's voxel's new Tigra and it's Loosely based upon one of the most drab cars in the world the voxel corser but the Tigra looks terrific whether the roofs down or roof up like pere's very popular 206 Coupe convertible it's got one of those clever folding hard top roofs that's perfect for bracing a tunal evenings like this one and like pers Vox will have even used the same French coach Building Company to construct their car this may be bad news judging by how unreliable some of the early Perse roofs were but hopefully those problems should have been eared out now I can't guarantee you that but I can confirm voxel's done their best to make this Tigra fun to drive the steering is quick the suspension isn't too squidgy and when the roof is down it doesn't lose its rigidity however I would be lying if I said that it was as fun to Chuck around as a Mini Cooper Convertible but the Tigra promises to be more exclusive than the mini voxel are allocating just 5 half thousand to the UK every year compared to the Mini's 10,000 but that's not the only reason why it should be taken seriously most convertibles in this price bracket tend to look rather girly but this one manages to be a bit Butch plus you've got the Fantastic hard top folding roof which really does make this feel like a proper Coupe throughout all our winter months Fox Hall's decided not to bother with rear seats but it does have a class leading size boot however annoyingly the only way you can get into it from the exterior is by using this button down here now that's not too much of a problem when it comes to opening it but when you want to shut it you're in a hurry and it's raining you you have to stand here like a lemon and wait for it to shut you can't physically push it down I am too busy for this in a moment of utter Madness they thought the interior didn't need any work at all Corsa customers May accept this plastic slab of a dash but in here it lets the side down this is supposed to be a racy little sports car that costs from just under £14,000 to this rang topping 1.8 sport at just over £1 15,000 making the interior the only thing cheap about it but no matter how poor the interior or how rich the price compared to its Rivals the tig does feel more substantial than Ford Street car it's better looking than P's 206cc and there'll be fewer tigas on the road than Mini Cooper convertibles so with those looks it's secure feeling tint top roof Big Boot and promise of exclusivity Vox will deserve to sell everyonewhatever the weather convertibles are much more interesting than the hardtop cars they're usually based upon this is no exception it's voxel's new Tigra and it's Loosely based upon one of the most drab cars in the world the voxel corser but the Tigra looks terrific whether the roofs down or roof up like pere's very popular 206 Coupe convertible it's got one of those clever folding hard top roofs that's perfect for bracing a tunal evenings like this one and like pers Vox will have even used the same French coach Building Company to construct their car this may be bad news judging by how unreliable some of the early Perse roofs were but hopefully those problems should have been eared out now I can't guarantee you that but I can confirm voxel's done their best to make this Tigra fun to drive the steering is quick the suspension isn't too squidgy and when the roof is down it doesn't lose its rigidity however I would be lying if I said that it was as fun to Chuck around as a Mini Cooper Convertible but the Tigra promises to be more exclusive than the mini voxel are allocating just 5 half thousand to the UK every year compared to the Mini's 10,000 but that's not the only reason why it should be taken seriously most convertibles in this price bracket tend to look rather girly but this one manages to be a bit Butch plus you've got the Fantastic hard top folding roof which really does make this feel like a proper Coupe throughout all our winter months Fox Hall's decided not to bother with rear seats but it does have a class leading size boot however annoyingly the only way you can get into it from the exterior is by using this button down here now that's not too much of a problem when it comes to opening it but when you want to shut it you're in a hurry and it's raining you you have to stand here like a lemon and wait for it to shut you can't physically push it down I am too busy for this in a moment of utter Madness they thought the interior didn't need any work at all Corsa customers May accept this plastic slab of a dash but in here it lets the side down this is supposed to be a racy little sports car that costs from just under £14,000 to this rang topping 1.8 sport at just over £1 15,000 making the interior the only thing cheap about it but no matter how poor the interior or how rich the price compared to its Rivals the tig does feel more substantial than Ford Street car it's better looking than P's 206cc and there'll be fewer tigas on the road than Mini Cooper convertibles so with those looks it's secure feeling tint top roof Big Boot and promise of exclusivity Vox will deserve to sell everyone\n"
