Vauxhall Opel Calibra

1989 to 1997
Overview
Manufacturer	Opel
Also called	Chevrolet Calibra Holden Calibra Vauxhall Calibra
Production	1989–1997 239,118 built 4x4: 3,385 V6: 12,015
Assembly	Rüsselsheim, Germany Uusikaupunki, Finland (Valmet Automotive)
Designer	Erhard Schnell
Body and chassis
Class	Sports car
Body style	2-door coupé
Layout	FF layout/F4 layout
Platform	GM2900
Related	Opel Vectra Saab 9-3 Saab 9-5 Saturn L-Series
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L C20NE I4 (petrol) 2.0 L 20XE I4 (petrol) 2.0 L X20XEV I4 (petrol) 2.0 L C20LET I4 (turbocharged petrol) 2.5 L C25XE V6 (petrol)
Transmission	5-speed manual 6-speed Getrag manual 4-speed Aisin-Warner automatic
Chronology
Predecessor	Opel Manta
Successor	Opel Astra G Coupé

The Opel Calibra, also known as the Vauxhall Calibra in the United Kingdom, the Chevrolet Calibra in South America, and the Holden Calibra in Australia and New Zealand is a sports car engineered and produced by German automaker Opel between 1989 and 1997, but sold until 1999 in the United Kingdom.

History

The Opel Calibra is a sports coupe of the manufacturer Opel , which was produced from autumn 1989 to mid-1997. It was based on the published in the fall of 1988 Opel Vectra A .To insist in the late 1980s against the impending coupe superiority from Japan, the Adam Opel AG put under the name Opel Calibra at the IAA 1989 a sports coupe "in 2 + 2 design" (two seats in front and two emergency positions behind) in front. From June 9, 1990, the model was at the dealers. The artificial word "Calibra" is a creation of the brand name developer Manfred Gotta .

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

Outstanding at that time was the low drag coefficient (C _w ) of 0.26 achieved by the design of Erhard Schnell , which made the Calibra the "aerodynamics world champion" among the production cars. The tailgate of the Calibra is similar to that of the Manta CC . The Calibra had some stylistic peculiarities, such as the only seven centimeters high front light units. They were made possible by the use of ellipsoidal headlamps, where the light emerges through a lens (similar to a slide projector). Power steering , airbags (from 1993), sport seats, tinted windows and alloy wheels were standard equipment. 

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

The front Opel emblem was now no longer on the hood, but in the grille, which got a slightly changed shape. The logos have been changed, the interior has undergone a slight overhaul with new upholstery fabrics, new dashboards (white dials and additional instruments), and bright A-, B- and C-pillar panels. The wheel stars also got a new shape.In June 1997, the production of Calibra ended. A successor with an independent body does not exist until today

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

The second engine on offer was the 2.0 l 16 V (C20XE) developed by Fritz Indra , which produces 110 kW (150 hp). This engine was Opel's first large-capacity two-overhead camshaft (DOHC) engine with four valves per cylinder, apart from previous competition engines and the 2.4-liter 16-valve Opel Manta 400 and Opel Ascona 400.

This was at its introduction with 37% as the gasoline engine with the highest efficiency . This was achieved by the then new copy milling technique of the combustion chambers, which allows a high surface accuracy. The 16-valve engine was also used in the Opel Kadett E GSi 16V, the Opel Astra F GSi 16V and the 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 after 8.5 s. The top speed was according to the vehicle registration at 223 km / h, the 2.0i at 205 km / h. The average consumption was 9.2 l / 100 km - also thanks to the low air resistance. Both power sources are equipped with a three-way catalytic converter and the Bosch Motronic engine management system.

The Calibra V6 and the engine renaissance 

From spring 1993, a 24V six-cylinder engine was offered for the Calibra: The 2.5-liter V6 (C25XE, later X25XE), which was also available in Vectra and Omega B. It has a power output of 125 kW and a maximum torque of 227 Nm at 4200 rpm, which means that 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 automatic transmission, but not with all-wheel drive.

The 2.0-16V engine (C20XE) was replaced from August 1993 by a newly developed and the stricter emission standard EURO 2 adapted 2.0-16V engine (X20XEV), which now made 100 kW. The engine already meets the stricter D-3 standard. Smallest engine was still the 2.0i with 85 kW and EURO-1 standard (pollution-free E-2 not to be confused with EURO 2), for a subsequent conversion to EURO 2 is possible.

Safety and Environment 

From 1993, the Calibra was built as standard with driver airbag and from August with passenger full-size airbag. In addition to minor changes that have been incorporated into the program, several important safety points have been improved in August 1993. Thus, the doors were given a double steel tube reinforcement, stronger side skirts and window pillars were used, the belt system received a buckle tensioner, but also things that mainly affect the environment were improved. For the paint job, a water-soluble paint was used, which contained significantly less pollutants, and the newly developed air conditioning system was now filled with CFC-free refrigerant.

Engines

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

The second engine on offer was the 2.0 l 16 V (C20XE) developed by Fritz Indra , which produces 110 kW (150 hp). This engine was Opel's first large-capacity two-overhead camshaft (DOHC) engine with four valves per cylinder, apart from previous competition engines and the 2.4-liter 16-valve Opel Manta 400 and Opel Ascona 400.

He was at its introduction with 37% as the gasoline engine with the highest efficiency . This was achieved by the then new copy milling technique of the combustion chambers, which allows a high surface accuracy. The 16-valve engine was also used in the Opel Kadett E GSi 16V, the Opel Astra F GSi 16V and the 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 after 8.5 s. The top speed was according to the vehicle registration at 223 km / h, the 2.0i at 205 km / h. The average consumption was 9.2 l / 100 km - also thanks to the low air resistance. Both power sources are equipped with a three-way catalytic converter and the Bosch Motronic engine management system.

He was at its introduction with 37% as the gasoline engine with the highest efficiency . This was achieved by the then new copy milling technique of the combustion chambers, which allows a high surface accuracy. The 16-valve engine was also used in the Opel Kadett E GSi 16V, the Opel Astra F GSi 16V and the 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 after 8.5 s. The top speed was according to the vehicle registration at 223 km / h, the 2.0i at 205 km / h. The average consumption was 9.2 l / 100 km - also thanks to the low air resistance. Both power sources are equipped with a three-way catalytic converter and the Bosch Motronic engine management system.

In mid-1993 a 125 kW/167 hp 2.5 litre V6 (C25XE or SE4) was introduced. Available with both manual and automatic transmissions, the V6 was not as fast as the Turbo, but was rather more civilised, and proved to be more reliable than the complex four-wheel drive model. 1995 saw the introduction of the X20XEV Ecotec engine, a new version of the classic C20XE 16-valve or "red top" engine. This marked a reduction in power from 150 bhp (112 kW) to 136 bhp (101 kW) for the 16-valve version, although the Turbo continued with the C20LET.

• 2.0 litre 8-valve SOHC I4 - 115 PS (85 kW) (all years) (C20NE)
• 2.0 litre 16-valve DOHC I4 - 150 PS (110 kW) (1990–1995) (C20XE or redtop)
• 2.0 litre 16-valve DOHC 'Ecotec' I4 - 136 PS (100 kW) (1995–1997) (X20XEV)
• 2.0 litre 16-valve DOHC turbocharged I4 - 204 PS (150 kW)(201 bhp) (1992–1997) (C20LET)
• 2.5 litre 24-valve DOHC 'Ecotec' V6 - 170 PS (125 kW) (1993–1997) (C25XE) '94-'96; (X25XE) '97

No 1.5 diesel version of the Calibra was ever produced despite the engine being listed on www.wisebuyers.com

The last Calibra Turbos were produced in early 1997 before a final run of Calibra Turbo Limited Editions were rolled out. These were all finished in jet black paintwork with Irmscher spoiler, BBS RX 16" alloys and colour-coded body fittings. This final incarnation was also lowered by 35mm on Irmscher springs and dampers. The interior was heated cream leather, with a steering wheel trimmed in grey leather and a plaque showing the build number mounted on the centre console.

Transmissions

In addition to a four-speed automatic transmissions that was available on all models except the C20LET (although some countries such as Australia did not sell the C20XE with the four-speed auto), there were five manual gearboxes for the Calibra (all of which were 5-speed gearboxes, except the 6-speed F28/6).

• F16CR-5 - Fitted to early 2.0 litre SOHC NA (i.e. C20NE)
• F18CR-5 - Fitted to late 2.0 litre SOHC NA and late 2.0 litre DOHC NA (i.e. C20NE, X20XEV)
• F20 - Fitted to early 2.0 litre DOHC NA (i.e. C20XE)
• F25 - Fitted to 2.5 litre NA (i.e. C25XE, X25XE)
• F28/6 - Fitted to 2.0 litre Turbo (i.e. C20LET)

Calibra 4x4

Four-wheel drive 

In the autumn of 1990, the four-wheel drive Calibra 4 × 4 also came on the market. He was after the beginning of 1989 published Vectra 4 × 4, the second Opel car with four-wheel drive. It is a permanent system, with a maximum torque of 90 Nm transmitted to the rear axle. The torque is passed through a viscous coupling in a transfer case to the rear axle. When braking, a multi-plate clutch shuts off the four-wheel drive to ensure braking stability and the proper functioning of the anti-lock braking system.

The four-wheel drive was initially available in conjunction with both engines (C20NE and C20XE), but not with 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 transfer gearbox in the 4x4 models - the same box was used in the Vauxhall Cavalier 4x4 - was somewhat on the flimsy side, liable to suffer damage from conditions such as minor differences in tyre wear or tyre pressure between front and rear axles. Since front and rear tyres would naturally wear at different rates in normal driving, it was necessary to swap front with rear tyres every 1500 miles. All four tyres had to be of the same make and model, and all four tyres had to be replaced at the same time - if one tyre was damaged or punctured, the three remaining good tyres also had to be replaced. In addition there were other maintenance requirements which were both exacting and unusual. Neglect of these points through ignorance or a misconceived attempt to save money was common, and was likely to lead to very expensive failures of the transfer gearbox.

Calibra Turbo 4 × 4 

In March 1992, the Calibra Turbo 4 × 4 came as a new top model to the dealers. In it, the 2.0-liter 16V engine (C20LET) was used, which now provides 150 kW (204 hp) with a KKK turbocharger (K16) and a charge air cooler . The turbocharger was a new development; he was not flanged, but integrated into the exhaust manifold. The turbo engine was standard with a six-speed gearbox and four-wheel drive combined, an automatic transmission was not available for the turbo. The maximum torque is 280 Nm, which is already at 2400 / min. The Calibra Turbo was the fastest Calibra, with a top speed of 245 km / h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in 6.8 seconds. 

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

From spring 1993, a 24V six-cylinder engine was offered for the Calibra: The 2.5-liter V6 (C25XE, later X25XE), which was also available in Vectra and Omega B. It has a power output of 125 kW and a maximum torque of 227 Nm at 4200 rpm, which means that 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 automatic transmission, but not with all-wheel drive.

The 2.0-16V engine (C20XE) was replaced from August 1993 by a newly developed and the stricter emission standard EURO 2 adapted 2.0-16V engine (X20XEV), which now made 100 kW. The engine already meets the stricter D-3 standard. Smallest engine was still the 2.0i with 85 kW and EURO-1 standard (pollution-free E-2 not to be confused with EURO 2), for a subsequent conversion to EURO 2 is possible.