The Vauxhall Tigra Mk II Roadster, produced between 2004 and 2009, represents a return to the open-top sports car segment for Vauxhall (and its Opel counterpart). Building upon the success of the original Tigra coupe, the Mk II adopted a more conventional roadster configuration, aiming to provide an affordable and stylish entry point into the sports car market. While not officially sold in the United States, the Tigra Mk II was a popular choice in Europe, particularly for drivers seeking a fun-to-drive, compact roadster. This article details the specifications and characteristics of the 1.8i 16V ECOTEC version, producing 125 horsepower.
Vauxhall Tigra Mk II Roadster: Overview
The Tigra Mk II Roadster was designed to appeal to a younger demographic, offering a blend of sporty styling, nimble handling, and reasonable running costs. It shared its platform with the Opel/Vauxhall Corsa C, benefiting from its compact dimensions and readily available components. The car’s focus was on providing an enjoyable driving experience rather than outright performance, making it a practical choice for everyday use alongside occasional spirited drives. The 1.8i 16V ECOTEC engine was a key component, offering a balance of power and fuel efficiency.
Engine & Performance
The heart of the Tigra Mk II Roadster 1.8i 16V is the Z18XE ECOTEC engine, a 1.8-liter (1796 cm3 or 109.6 cu. in.) inline four-cylinder powerplant. This naturally aspirated engine produces 125 horsepower (Hp) at 5600 rpm and 170 Nm (125.39 lb.-ft.) of torque at 3800 rpm. The engine features multi-port fuel injection and a double overhead camshaft (DOHC) valvetrain with four valves per cylinder. This configuration contributes to a power output of 69.6 Hp per liter. Power is delivered to the front wheels via a five-speed manual transmission.
Performance figures include a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration time of 9.4 seconds, and a 0-60 mph time of approximately 8.9 seconds. The car achieves a maximum speed of 204 km/h (126.76 mph). Fuel economy is rated at 7.7 l/100 km (30.5 US mpg, 36.7 UK mpg) on a combined cycle, with 10.9 l/100 km (21.6 US mpg, 25.9 UK mpg) in urban conditions and 5.8 l/100 km (40.6 US mpg, 48.7 UK mpg) on the extra-urban cycle. CO2 emissions are rated at 185 g/km, meeting Euro 4 emission standards.
Design & Features
The Tigra Mk II Roadster is a two-seat, two-door roadster with a focus on sporty aesthetics. Its design incorporates a low-slung profile, sculpted bodywork, and a prominent front grille. The convertible top is manually operated, offering an open-air driving experience. The interior is relatively simple and functional, prioritizing driver engagement over luxury.
Safety features for the era included an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). The car’s kerb weight of 1190 kg (2623.5 lbs) contributes to its nimble handling. Trunk space ranges from 250 liters (8.83 cu. ft.) with the rear partition in place to 440 liters (15.54 cu. ft.) when folded down, offering reasonable practicality for a roadster. The fuel tank capacity is 45 liters (11.89 US gal, 9.9 UK gal). Dimensions include a length of 3921 mm (154.37 in.), a width of 1685 mm (66.34 in.), and a height of 1364 mm (53.7 in.).
Technical Specifications
| Brand | Vauxhall |
| Model | Tigra |
| Generation | Tigra Mk II Roadster |
| Type (Engine) | 1.8i 16V ECOTEC (125 Hp) |
| Start of production | 2004 |
| End of production | 2009 |
| Powertrain Architecture | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type | Roadster |
| Seats | 2 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Fuel consumption (urban) | 10.9 l/100 km (21.6 US mpg, 25.9 UK mpg) |
| Fuel consumption (extra urban) | 5.8 l/100 km (40.6 US mpg, 48.7 UK mpg) |
| Fuel consumption (combined) | 7.7 l/100 km (30.5 US mpg, 36.7 UK mpg) |
| CO2 emissions | 185 g/km |
| Fuel Type | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h | 9.4 sec |
| Acceleration 0 – 62 mph | 9.4 sec |
| Acceleration 0 – 60 mph | 8.9 sec |
| Maximum speed | 204 km/h (126.76 mph) |
| Emission standard | Euro 4 |
| Weight-to-power ratio | 9.5 kg/Hp, 105 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio | 7 kg/Nm, 142.9 Nm/tonne |
| Power | 125 Hp @ 5600 rpm |
| Power per litre | 69.6 Hp/l |
| Torque | 170 Nm @ 3800 rpm (125.39 lb.-ft. @ 3800 rpm) |
| Engine layout | Front, Transverse |
| Engine Model/Code | Z18XE |
| Engine displacement | 1796 cm3 (109.6 cu. in.) |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Engine configuration | Inline |
| Cylinder Bore | 80.5 mm (3.17 in.) |
| Piston Stroke | 88.2 mm (3.47 in.) |
| Compression ratio | 10.5:1 |
| Number of valves per cylinder | 4 |
| Fuel injection system | Multi-port manifold injection |
| Engine aspiration | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Valvetrain | DOHC |
| Engine oil capacity | 4.3 l (4.54 US qt | 3.78 UK qt) |
| Coolant capacity | 5.3 l (5.6 US qt | 4.66 UK qt) |
| Kerb Weight | 1190 kg (2623.5 lbs.) |
| Max. weight | 1480 kg (3262.84 lbs.) |
| Max load | 290 kg (639.34 lbs.) |
| Trunk (boot) space – minimum | 250 l (8.83 cu. ft.) |
| Trunk (boot) space – maximum | 440 l (15.54 cu. ft.) |
| Fuel tank capacity | 45 l (11.89 US gal | 9.9 UK gal) |
| Length | 3921 mm (154.37 in.) |
| Width | 1685 mm (66.34 in.) |
| Width including mirrors | 1905 mm (75 in.) |
| Height | 1364 mm (53.7 in.) |
| Wheelbase | 2491 mm (98.07 in.) |
| Front track | 1429 mm (56.26 in.) |
| Rear track | 1420 mm (55.91 in.) |
| Minimum turning circle | 10.46 m (34.32 ft.) |
| Drivetrain | Front wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 5 gears, manual transmission |
| Front suspension | Spring Strut |
| Rear suspension | Coil spring |
| Front brakes | Ventilated discs |
| Rear brakes | Disc |
| Assisting systems | ABS (Anti-lock braking system) |
| Steering type | Steering rack and pinion |
| Tires size | 185/60 R15 |
| Wheel rims size | 6J x 15 |
The Vauxhall Tigra Mk II Roadster 1.8i 16V ECOTEC offered a compelling package for those seeking an affordable and enjoyable open-top driving experience. While not a high-performance machine, its nimble handling, reasonable fuel economy, and stylish design made it a popular choice in the European market.
