|
|
|
Home  Holden Road Test: Holden Tigra
|
Written by http://www.channel4.com/4car/news
|
Easy, Tigra
The Tigra is Holdens answer to the Peugeot 206
CC, Ford Streetka, MINI Convertible, upcoming Nissan Micra C+C and so
on: a supermini-sized roadster which may not be particularly powerful,
but is affordable and fun. Unlike the 206 CC, it doesn't pretend to be
a four-seater, though it can seat two in comfort and provide a useful
load capacity. It has a metal folding hard top, which quickly retracts
at the touch of a button (and the easy release of two manual catches),
and feels solid and secure. 1.8-litre (125bhp) petrol engines,
Holden Tigra
Recommended Retail Price
- $34,990
- Metallic paint: $300.
| RELIABILITY AND QUALITY RATING: |
 |
The
Tigra is based on the current-generation Corsa's underpinnings, plus
substantial reinforcement, so its mechanicals are all well-proven. It
is built by Heuliez in France, who also make the folding roof for the
206 CC, but the bugs in the Peugeot's unreliable roof should have been
ironed out by now and lessons learnt for the Tigra's. Also, the roof
for the 206 CC is made separately and then transported to Peugeot to
add to the car - the Tigra is made entirely in the same place, which
reduces the opportunities for build defects. Whilst the Tigra has
clearly been assembled to a price, with its Corsa-alike dash, it all
seems to be put together tightly and tidily, and its cabin feels
higher-quality than that of the Streetka or Citroen Pluriel, if not
quite finished to the standard of the MINI.
| IMAGE RATING: |
|
The
Tigra is chunky enough to appeal to guys as well as girls, and it would
be easily accessorised (expect Vauxhall to offer the usual Irmscher
alloys and body kits at a later date). It doesn't quite have the same
class as the highly desirable MINI but it is smart, modern-looking and
entirely credible.
| DRIVING RATING: |
 |
The
Tigra has lower suspension than the Corsa GSI from which it is derived,
and has its underbody, side sills, doors and pillars significantly
reinforced to maintain rigidity without a fixed roof. This means that
handling is sharper and responses quicker, aided by a direct steering
feel and progressive, strong brakes. There is also a commendably low
level of scuttle shake and vibration, even with the roof down: it takes
a pretty rough road surface to unsettle the Tigra, and it outclasses
the Pluriel, the Streetka and 206 CC on this score, though it's not
quite as chuckable and nippy as the admittedly tiny, minority-taste
Daihatsu Copen. It can feel vulnerable on the motorway next to huge
lorries but is generally confidence-inspiring to drive; all-round
visibility isn't perfect, however, with thick, slanted frontal
windscreen pillars and a tiny rear window, obscured further by the
rollover bars and wind deflector.
PERFORMANCE RATING: 
It feels livelier than the heavy MINI One convertible, certainly, and
no slower than the 1.6 206 CC - but then out-and-out performance isn't
all-important in this type of car anyway. It's fast enough, and fun
enough, to suit its likely buyers; it's not as economical as the
diesel, but is quicker off the mark and has a lot more joie de vivre.
The diesel has plenty of torque (mid-range pull) and cruises quite
happily at motorway speeds, but is sluggish from a standstill before
the turbo kicks in fully, especially when cold, and has to be revved
hard at low speeds to pull away with any verve at all (the official
0-60 time's 15.5 seconds, and even that sounds generous).
| SAFETY AND SECURITY RATING: |
|
The
steel roof is a major boon for both safety and security; the Tigra also
features four airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners, height-adjustable head
restraints and rollover protection (the wave-like silver bars behind
the seats). . Sport specification models come
with a standard-fit alarm.
| COMFORT AND EQUIPMENT RATING: |
|
The
high level of rigidity means a firm but pleasant ride - the Tigra is
low on shake, rattle and roll. The larger alloy wheels will be less
forgiving, of course. Seats are supportive, though the cabin is a
little narrow; storage and stowage space is good, though not
outstanding. The boot (440 litres with roof up, 250 litres with roof
retracted) is rather oddly curved, hence the weird banana-shaped bag
Holden is offering in its accessories range, but there is an
additional compartment (70 litres) between the seats and bulkhead large
enough for small bags and bits and pieces. It's a more effective use of
this space than trying to squeeze in tiny seats for legless people (206
CC, MINI). All-round, the Tigra is much less compromised than the more
hardcore sports cars - MR2, MX-5, Smart Roadster, Copen - and even the
supposedly practical but deeply flawed Citroen Pluriel. Black marks,
though, for omitting a manual boot release: the boot can only be
opened, or shut, at the touch of a button, which isn't
confidence-inspiring. It also takes ages for the boot to close whilst
you fight the temptation to slam the lid down, especially in the rain.
|
|
