Opel Calibra

Opel
Opel Calibra (1989-1994)
Calibra
Production period:	1989-1997
Class :	Middle class
Body versions :	Combi coupe
Engines:	Gasoline engines : 2.0–2.5 liters (85–150 kW)
Length:	4492 mm
Width:	1688 mm
Height:	1320 mm
Wheelbase :	2600 mm
Empty weight :	1120-1405 kg
Previous model	Opel Manta

The Opel Calibra is a sports coupé from the manufacturer Opel , which was produced from autumn 1989 to mid-1997. It was based on the Opel Vectra A that appeared in autumn 1988 .

In Australia the vehicle was offered as the Holden Calibra , in the United Kingdom as the Vauxhall Calibra and in Brazil as the Chevrolet Calibra .

Emergence

The emblem for the introduction of the Opel Calibra

In order to survive against the threatening coupé superiority from Japan at the end of the 1980s, Adam Opel AG presented a sports coupé "in 2 + 2 design" under the name Opel Calibra at the 1989 IAA (two seats in front and two emergency seats in the back) in front. The model was available from dealers from June 9, 1990. The made-up word "Calibra" is a creation of the brand name developer Manfred Gotta .

design

Unlike the Manta , which has a longitudinally installed engine and rear-wheel drive, the Calibra is front-wheel drive, the engine is installed transversely. The design is based on the Opel Vectra . While a simple twist beam rear axle was used in the Vectra (with the exception of the Vectra 4 × 4, 2000 and Turbo), the Calibra had a semi-trailing arm rear axle with mini block springs, stabilizer and telescopic shock absorbers.

Outstanding at the time was the low drag coefficient (C _w ) of 0.26 achieved through the design by Erhard Schnell , which made the Calibra the “aerodynamics world champion” among production vehicles. The tailgate of the Calibra is similar to that of the Manta CC . The Calibra had some stylistic peculiarities, such as the front light units, which were only seven centimeters high. They were made possible by the use of ellipsoid headlights, in which the light exits through a lens (similar to a slide projector). Power steering , airbags (from 1993), sports seats, tinted windows and light alloy wheels were part of the standard equipment. The basic price was initially 36,900.00  DM .

Facelift

In the summer of 1994 the Calibra received a slight facelift.

The front Opel emblem was no longer on the bonnet, but in the radiator grille, which was given a slightly different shape. The lettering was changed, the interior was slightly revised with new upholstery fabrics, new instrument dials (white speedometer dials and additional instruments), as well as bright A, B and C-pillar panels. The wheel stars also got a new shape.

In November 1994 the Calibra 2.0i cost 40,835 DM, the Calibra 16V 43,495 DM, the Calibra V6 51,070 DM and the Calibra Turbo 54,345 DM. The all-wheel drive was only available for the Calibra Turbo.

Production of the Calibra ended in June 1997. There is still no successor with an independent body.

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  Opel Calibra (1994-1997)

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  Rear view

Colours

The Opel Calibra was available in the following colors, here in code no., Description and paint type:

• 119 Mistral gray metallic
• 128 astrosilver metallic
• 138 Star silver mineral effect
• 140 Smoke gray metallic
• 144 Magic gray mineral effect
• 146 Titanium silver mineral effect
• 200 black uni
• 262 Baikal blue metallic
• 265 Tech Violet Metallic
• 266 Nova black metallic
• 270 Spectral blue mineral effect
• 277 Caribbean blue metallic
• 279 Heliotrope mineral effect
• 283 Nautilus blue mineral effect
• 286 ceramic blue mineral effect
• 288 Magnetic blue mineral effect
• 290 North Cape mineral effect
• 357 Neptune turquoise mineral effect
• 359 jungle green mineral effect
• 366 Bermuda green mineral effect
• 368 Iceland blue mineral effect
• 369 Rio Verde green mineral effect
• 474 Casablanca white uni
• 547 magma red brilliant
• 571 Amarena mineral effect
• 631 solar yellow II-Uni

Different color names were used in the brochure for the Cliff Motorsport Edition : Ocean = Magnetic Blue, Polar = Caribbean Blue, Barracuda = Ceramic Blue.

Motorization

Initially, the Calibra was initially available with two different 2-liter engines. The basic engine was the 85 kW (115 PS) two-liter engine (C20NE) from the Vectra , which was also available in conjunction with an automatic transmission. It was equipped with a five-speed gearbox as standard.

The second engine on offer was the 2.0 l 16 V (C20XE) developed with Fritz Indra , which has an output of 110 kW (150 hp). This machine was Opel’s first large-scale production engine with two overhead camshafts (DOHC) and four valves per cylinder, apart from earlier competitive engines and the 2.4-liter 16-valve in the Opel Manta 400 and Opel Ascona 400.

When it was first introduced, it was considered to be the gasoline engine with the highest efficiency at 37% . This was achieved by the then new copy milling technology of the combustion chambers, which enables high surface accuracy. The 16-valve was also used in the Opel Kadett E GSi 16V, Opel Astra F GSi 16V and Opel Vectra 2000 16V. With 110 kW at 6000 rpm and the maximum torque of 196 Nm at 4800 rpm (until 1994), the 16 V engine brought the Calibra to 100 km / h in 8.5 s. The top speed was reported to vehicle registration at 223 km / h, the hour of the 2.0i at 205 km /. The average consumption was 9.2 l / 100 km - also thanks to the low air resistance. Both drive sources are equipped with a three-way catalytic converter and the Bosch Motronic engine management system.

Technical specifications

	2.0 i	2.0 i 16V		2.0 i 16V turbo	2.5 i V6
Construction period	11 / 1989-07 / 1996	11 / 1989-02 / 1994	02 / 1994-06 / 1997	03 / 1992-07 / 1996	04 / 1993-07 / 1996	08 / 1996-06 / 1997
Engine characteristics
Engine identification	C20NE	C20XE	X20XEV	C20LET	C25XE	X25XE
Engine type	R4 petrol engine				V6 petrol engine
Number of valves per cylinder	2	4th
Valve control	OHC , timing belt	DOHC, timing belt			2 × DOHC, toothed belt
Mixture preparation	Manifold injection
Engine charging	-			Turbocharger , intercooler	-
cooling	Water cooling
Bore × stroke	86.0 mm × 86.0 mm				81.6 mm × 79.6 mm
Displacement	1998 cc				2498 cc
Compression ratio	9.2: 1	10.5: 1	10.8: 1	9.0: 1	10.8: 1
Max. Power at 1 / min	85 kW (115 PS) / 5200	110 kW (150 PS) / 6000	100 kW (136 PS) / 5600	150 kW (204 PS) / 5600	125 kW (170 PS) / 6000	125 kW (170 PS) / 5800
Max. Torque at 1 / min	170 Nm / 2600	196 Nm / 4800	185 Nm / 4000	280 Nm / 2400	227 Nm / 4200	230 Nm / 3200
Emission standard	Euro 1		D3	Euro 1		D3
Power transmission
Drive, as standard	Front wheel drive			all wheel drive	Front wheel drive
Drive, optional	all wheel drive			-
Gearbox, as standard	5-speed manual transmission			6-speed manual transmission	5-speed manual transmission
Gearbox, optional	4- speed automatic transmission	-	4-speed automatic transmission	-	4-speed automatic transmission
Readings
Top speed	205 km / h (200 km / h) [200 km / h]	223 km / h [215 km / h]	215 km / h (205 km / h) [200 km / h]	[245 km / h]	237 km / h (234 km / h)
Acceleration, 0-100 km / h	10.0 s (12.0 s) [11.0 s]	8.5 s [9.5 s]	9.5 s (11.5 s)	[6.8 s]	7.8 s (8.8 s)
Fuel consumption over 100 km (combined)	8.2 l S (8.4 l S) [9.0 l S]	7.7–7.9 l S (8.0–8.1 l S) [8.7 l S]		[9.0 l S]	8.8 l S (9.0 l S)

1. ↑ ^{a b} Improved emission standard
2. ↑ Values ​​in round brackets (“()”) for automatic transmission and in square brackets (“[]”) for all-wheel drive.

• The availability of the engines depended on the model, equipment and market.

all wheel drive

In autumn 1990 the four-wheel-drive Calibra 4 × 4 came onto the market. After the Vectra 4 × 4, which appeared in early 1989, it was the second Opel passenger car with all-wheel drive. It is a permanent system, whereby a maximum of 90 Nm torque is transmitted to the rear axle. The torque is transmitted to the rear axle through a viscous coupling in a transfer case. When braking, a multi-disc clutch switches off the all-wheel drive to ensure braking stability and the functionality of the anti-lock braking system.

The all-wheel drive was initially available in conjunction with both engines (C20NE and C20XE), but not with an automatic transmission. The Calibra 2.0i 4 × 4 reaches a top speed of 200 km / h and an acceleration of 0 - 100 km / h in 11 seconds, the top speed of the 16V is 215 km / h. The base price was DM 44,215.00. In addition, this version had a 4 × 4 emblem instead of the Opel emblem on the steering wheel. The all-wheel drive increased consumption by around one liter per 100 km.

Calibra Turbo 4 × 4

In March 1992, the Calibra Turbo 4 × 4 came to dealers as the new top model. The 2.0-liter 16V engine (C20LET) was used, which with a KKK turbocharger (K16) and an intercooler now delivers 150 kW (204 hp). The turbocharger was a new development; it was not flanged, but integrated into the exhaust manifold. The turbo engine was combined with a six-speed gearbox and all-wheel drive as standard, there was no automatic gearbox for the turbo. The maximum torque is 280 Nm, which is already available at 2400 rpm. The Calibra Turbo was the fastest Calibra: it had a top speed of 245 km / h and an acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in 6.8 seconds. In 1992 it cost DM 49,880.00.

Outwardly, it differed from the other Calibras only through 16-inch alloy wheels with five-hole flange in a special turbo design and corresponding lettering. The Calibra 16V 4 × 4 was replaced by the Calibra Turbo and consequently no longer built.

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  Opel Calibra 4 × 4 Turbo in rally use

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The Calibra V6 and the engine renaissance

From the spring of 1993 a 24 V six-cylinder engine was also offered for the Calibra: the 2.5-liter V6 (C25XE, later X25XE), which was also available in the Vectra and Omega B. This has an output of 125 kW and offers a maximum torque of 227 Nm at 4200 rpm, with which the Calibra reaches a maximum of 237 km / h and accelerates to 100 km / h in 7.8 seconds. The V6 was also available with an automatic transmission, but not with all-wheel drive.

The 2.0-16V engine (C20XE) was replaced from August 1993 by a newly developed 2.0-16V engine (X20XEV) which was adapted to the stricter EURO 2 emissions standard and which now had an output of 100 kW. The engine already fulfills the stricter D-3 standard. The smallest engine was still the 2.0i with 85 kW and EURO-1 standard (low-emission E-2 not to be confused with EURO 2), for which a subsequent conversion to EURO 2 is possible.

security and environment

From 1993 the Calibra was built with a driver airbag as standard and from August also with a full-size passenger airbag. Apart from small changes that were continuously incorporated into the program, some important safety points were improved in August 1993. The doors were reinforced with double steel tubes, stronger side sills and window pillars were used, the belt system was given a belt lock tensioner, but things that primarily affect the environment were also improved. A water-soluble paint was used for the painting, which contains significantly fewer pollutants, and the newly developed air conditioning system has now been filled with CFC-free refrigerant.

Special editions

Opel Calibra Keke Rosberg Edition

Opel Calibra 2.0 16V Last Edition

The 1996 model year brought a new range of exterior colors, but the range of engines remained unchanged. As a new entry-level model, the Calibra Young supplemented the model range. At first it was only available with the 2.0i engine and in four different paint finishes and otherwise corresponded to the basic Calibra equipment. In January 1996 it was available from dealers for DM 40,725. Other special models were the Calibra Classic with air conditioning, leather upholstery, Bose sound system I and sliding roof (60,325 DM as turbo) and the Calibra DTM Edition (59,775 DM as turbo). This model was designed to be particularly sporty with wider light alloy wheels in the DTM look, lowered body and DTM logos. Both special models could be ordered with all available engines.

In April 1996 the special model Calibra Cliff Motorsport Edition appeared , with which Opel celebrated its successes with the 470 hp Calibra at the DTM (German Touring Car Championship) 1994 and 1995 and at the ITC (International Touring Car Championship) 1996. It had a modified front apron from Irmscher with additional air intakes, a slightly modified rear apron and painted side strips. There was also air conditioning and an Irmscher package with BBS light alloy wheels in 16 inches and a 30 mm lower sports suspension. This model was clearly recognizable by the cliff emblems with which the DTM and ITC calibras were also provided. At the end of the 1996 model year, the production of the Calibra Turbo and thus also of the all-wheel drive in the Calibra ended, as adapting the engine to new emissions regulations would have been too costly. The 2.0i engine with 85 kW (115 PS) was also omitted.

From August 1996, the Calibra could only be ordered in the Young , Cliff Motorsport Edition and Classic equipment , although from January 1997 only the Calibra Young could be ordered.

The last limited copies with the name Calibra Last Edition were available from March 1997. The 2.0-16V and the revised 2.5-l V6 engine (X25XE with better emissions), which were ordered in both models, were available could become. The Last Edition equipment corresponded to the rich combination of the Cliff Motorsport Edition and Classic variants . Prices ranged from DM 41,415 (Calibra Young 2.0 16V) to DM 55,800 (Calibra Last Edition 2.5 V6).

year	model	Engines	Colours	Furnishing
1992	Color Selection I	C20NE	caribbean blue	el.FH, el. SD, ZV, radio SC 303
1993	Color Selection II	C20NE, C20XE	nautilus blue	el.FH, el. SD, ZV, radio SC 303
1993	Color Selection III	C20NE, C20XE	riojarot	el.FH, el. SD, ZV, radio SC 303
1994	Color Selection IV	C20NE (C20XE in Switzerland)	solar yellow	el.FH, el. SD, ZV, radio SC 303, leather (opt.), Pentaline aluminum wheels (opt.)
1994	Color Selection V	C20NE, C20LET	tech purple	el.FH, el. SD, ZV, radio SC 303, adjustable passenger seat, air conditioning (C20LET), radio SC 804 (C20LET)
1995	Keke Rosberg Edition	C20NE, X20XEV, C25XE, C20LET	casablanca white (in Switzerland also in E200 black)	Irmscher lowering springs, BBS-RX wheels, roof strips and door handles in vehicle color, leather steering wheel with light gray handle segments, seats with "Checkers" fabric covers, Keke Rosberg Edition badge, DTM emblems, DTM floor mats, electric windows, central locking, height-adjustable Passenger seat, light gray instrument windows, air conditioning (C25XE, C20LET), BC (C25XE, C20LET), radio SC 303 (C20NE, X20XEV), radio SC 804 (C25XE, C20LET)
1995	Color Selection VI	C20NE, X20XEV, C25XE, C20LET	bermuda green	Leather steering wheel, electric FH, electric SD, ZV, radio SC 303, air conditioning (C20LET), leather interior (C25XE), radio SC 804 (C25XE, C20LET)
1995	Classic	C20NE, X20XEV, C25XE, C20LET	jungle green, magma red, amarena, nova black	Leather steering wheel, electrical FH, electrical SD (C25XE), ZV, Bose sound system I, Radio Blaupunkt Kiel RD 104, air conditioning, metallic paint, leather interior, BC (C25XE, C20LET), radio SC 804 (C25XE, C20LET)
1995	Color Selection VII	C20NE, X20XEV, C25XE, C20LET	magnetic blue	Leather steering wheel, electric FH, electric SD, ZV, radio SC 303, air conditioning (C20LET), leather interior (C25XE), radio SC 804 (C25XE, C20LET)
1995	DTM Edition	C20NE, X20XEV, C25XE, C20LET, X25XE	casablanca white, solar yellow, nova black	Irmscher lowering springs, BBS-RX wheels, leather steering wheel with light gray handle segments, DTM Edition badge, DTM emblems, DTM floor mats, electrical FH, electrical SD or climate, central locking, light gray instrument windows, climate (C25XE, C20LET), BC (C25XE , C20LET), radio SC 303 (C20NE, X20XEV), radio SC 804 / CD300 (C25XE, C20LET)
1996	Classic II	C20NE, X20XEV, C25XE, C20LET	rioverde green, magma red, nova black	Leather steering wheel, electric FH, electric SD (C25XE), ZV, Bose Soundsystem II, Radio Blaupunkt Paris RCM 104, air conditioning, leather interior, BC (C25XE)
1996	Young	C20NE, X20XEV, X25XE	all	Radio SC 303, metallic paint
1996	Cliff Motorsport Edition	X20XEV, X25XE	ocean blue, polar green, barracuda, black	Irmscher lowering springs, BBS wheels, Irmscher front bumper, Irmscher impact protection strips in vehicle color, Cliff floor mats, Cliff Edition badge, Cliff emblems, el.FH, ZV, air conditioning, Dual Info Display (DID), Check Control, leather steering wheel rim, radio SC 303
1997	Last Edition	X20XEV, X25XE	all	Irmscher sports suspension, BBS wheels, Irmscher front bumper, side strips in body color, motorsport floor mats, emblem, check control, leather upholstery, leather steering wheel, electric FH, ZV, air conditioning, radio SC 303

Motorsport

→ Main article : Opel Calibra V6 4 × 4

From 1993 to 1996, Opel used prototypes based on the Calibra in the German Touring Car Championship (DTM) and the International Touring Car Championship (ITC); Manuel Reuter won the drivers championship with this vehicle in 1996.

Production and inventory

The Opel Calibra was produced both in Rüsselsheim and, from 1991, at Valmet Automotive in Uusikaupunki , Finland . The Calibra built by Valmet have a “9” after the model year letter in the vehicle identification number (VIN) instead of a “1” for Rüsselsheim am Main. A total of 238,647 Calibra were built, 93,978 of them at Valmet.

According to the final report of the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control , 1,988 Opel Calibra were scrapped for the benefit of the environmental bonus between January 27, 2009 and July 31, 2010.

At the beginning of 2017, according to KBA, 6,855 copies of this type were still registered.

Dimensions

• Length: 4492 mm
• Width (without mirror): 1688 mm
• Height (empty): 1320 mm
• Wheelbase: 2600 mm
• Track v / h: 1426/1446 mm
• Tires: 175/70 R 14 or 195/60 R 15 and 195/60 R 14 85 V , 205/55 R 15 to 205/50 R 16 87 W.
• Turning circle: 11.44 m

literature

• Type compass Opel, Volume 2, p. 68 ff.
• Eberhard Kittler: German cars since 1990. Volume 6: Mercedes, Ford, Opel and Porsche. Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart 2001, ISBN 3-613-02052-1 .

Web links

Commons : Opel Calibra  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

1. ↑ 25 years of Opel Calibra: From aerodynamics world champion to cult coupé. Adam Opel AG, September 4, 2014, accessed June 14, 2016 . 
2. ↑ Cars manufactured. Valmet Automotive Inc., accessed November 20, 2013 . 
3. ↑ Final report - environmental bonus. (PDF; 1.6 MB) Federal Office for Economics and Export Control and Federal Motor Transport Authority, November 1, 2010, accessed on November 20, 2013 . 
4. ↑ Number of passenger cars by segment and model series (January 1, 2017). (PDF) Federal Motor Transport Authority, accessed on July 24, 2017 .