Vauxhall Calibra 2.5 24v

---FIRST UP----

Firstly I don't really think anyone has done a Calibra that much justice in their reviews yet. I'm going to include everything I possibly could mention about Calibra's from their engine types to which is the best on fuel consumption, the types of speeds they do, the colours they come in, how many were produced and in what years. And include some very sleek pictures of them at the end. Hopefully with some picture contributions from members of clubcalibra.com of their pristine shiny Callys. Thanks guys.

---HISTORY---

Vauxhall invented the Calibra first in 1989, which looks great even 20 years later with its style. Calibra's have a very sleek body work, look very stream lined, modern, and sporty.

Not only do we have 8v, 16v and 24v, we have the turbos as well. Special editions, limited editions and standard calibra's, but what makes them so unique is that I never have seen that many around, only probably three at most in my local town; is this down to the few numbers of Calibra's that were actually made. To be honest many people aren't keen on the Cally but being completely honest I love it more than any other Vauxhall out there, I like cars that are unique, how many Astra's have you counted whilst you've been out today, at least 20 I'd say, Calibra's maybe even only one? Vectra's and Astra's are so popular that they just aren't special anymore, even though Calibra's were stopped being made in 1997 they still look modern and have a great performance.

---WORLDWIDE---

The Vauxhall Calibra also is known as the Opel Calibra in places like Germany, and the Chevrolet Calibra in S. America and the Holden Calibra in Australia. It's a German produced car made by Opel from 1989 to 1997. It's nearest rival was probably the Ford Probe because of their engine's and the shape and style of the car.

----TYPES OF CALIBRA'S-----

Fancy a fast engine? Fancy an engine that roars? Fancy a turbo?
Probably the best engines in Calibra's without a doubt at the red top's, they have an amazing sound and never seem to have any problems, however X20XEV's which are the Ecotec models are great on petrol consumption but always have the engine management light coming on for some type of sensor.

Calibra 2.0 8V (115 KM) C20NE ENGINE
Produced: 11.1988 - 07.1997
Max power: 115 hp at 5200 r.p.m.
Engine type: OHC 8 valve.
Transmission: 5-gear manual
Injection: Bosch Motronic M 1.5
Max speed: 205 km/h
Max acceleration: 0-100 km/h - 10 sec

Calibra 2.0 16V ECO Tec (136 KM) X20XEV ENGINE
Produced from 03.1994.
Max power: 136 hp at 5600 r.p.m.
Engine type: DOHC 16 valve
Transmission: 5-gear manual
Injection: Siemens Simtec 56.5
Max speed: 215 km/h
Max acceleration: 0-100 km/h - 8,9 sec

Calibra 2.0 16V (150 KM) C20XE ENGINE
Produced: 09.1989 - 08.1993
Max power: 150 hp at 6000 r.p.m.
Engine type: DOHC 16 valve
Transmission: 5-gear manual
Injection: Bosch Motronic M 2.5/2.8
Max speed: 223 km/h
Max acceleration: 0-100 km/h - 8.5 sec

Calibra 2.5 V6 / V6 ECO Tec (170 KM) C25XE / X25XEV ENGINE
Produced from 03.1994
Max power: 170 hp at 6000 r.p.m.
Engine type: V-shaped, 24 valve
Transmission: 5-gear manual
Injection: Bosch Motronic M 2.8
Max speed: 234 km/h
Max acceleration: 0-100 km/h - 7.2 sec

Calibra 2.0 16V 4x4 turbo (204 KM) C20LET ENGINE
Produced: 04.1992 - 07.1997
Max power: 204 hp at 5600 r.p.m.
Engine type: DOHC 16 valve
Transmission: 6-gear manual
Injection: Bosch Motronic M 2.5/2.7
Max speed: 245 km/h
Max acceleration: 0-100 km/h - 6.8 sec

Special Models

As well as your Special Edition for the year of the car and it's colour, there were also DTM versions. And if you fancy the power it's a four wheel drive.

Calibra 2.5 V6 DTM 93-95 (420 hp)
Engine type: V-shaped (54 degree)
Max power: 420 KM
Range: to 10.740 r.p.m.
Injection: Bosch Motronic MS 1.9.
4-wheel drive

Calibra 3.2 V6 DTM 95-96 (570 hp)
Engine type: V-shaped (75 degree)
Max power: 570 KM
Range: to 12,750 r.p.m.
Injection: Bosch Motronic MS 1.9
4-wheel drive

----INTERIOR----

On various models there are various interiors, on some of the earliest models you have the cloth type textured sporty looking seats, but as you get further on from about 93' on you get the gorgeous leather seats which are also heated (always a bonus in cold weather). The leather interiors come in two colours, usually the cream ones come in green, blue or black cars and black leather on others. Not only the seats are leather in the front and rear but the side panels inside the car interior look like leather as well (infact they are vinyl) which gives it a sporty and luxurious feel. The only downside is that people's drivers seats tend to wear and tear on the sides, just down to getting in and out of the car, we don't have this problem as we ensure we use leather cleaner and protector on the seats; usually worn seats show neglect to a calibra but are the most common fault with them. The seats are comfortable and hug the contours of your sides, though it isn't as pleasant in the back seat when you go over speed bumps or sit there with your head skimming the roof.

The clock on the interior of the car is digital in the most latest models includes temperature as well. In some models you also have the oil pressure gauge and volt gauge near the gearstick which lights up nicely on a nighttime and gives you accurate readings of the level of oil and voltage. Special Editions have a plaque on the ashtray stating the number out of however many were made.

The dials either come in black like in an astra or in the white (see pictures) usually the most easy part of customizing your interior is to upgrade the LED bulbs to make it brighter or change the colour of them. Usually people tend to go for blue but we have a red display in our car so at night-time everything lights up red. It is a minor modification but it looks so much better than a LED bulb that gives off and off yellow colour.

Carpets either come in grey or cream but I've heard that some people have had theirs custom made, which has been costly but makes the car look spiffy - someone changed theirs to luxurious blue to match the gaiters and mats etc.

You've got an electric sun roof, electric windows which is always a bonus if you can't be bothered to use a bit of elbow grease. Plenty of space in the dashboard, and in the boot, and the seats in the front are adjustable backwards and forwards, and tilt in many directions. The only problem with sitting in the back of the car is if you are tall like me, because the car is so low and cuts down at the back your head tends to hit the back windscreen.

----EXTERIOR----

Well aparts from the cars colour they all are pretty standard, certain models come with spoilers already on. Different models have different alloys which are on. Calibra's also have electric wing mirrors with heated mirrors, which is always good for in the cold weather to keep them clear. The petrol cap is on the right side, so that's always a time saver for when you get out your car to fill up.

Usually people like to spend most of their time on the exterior, because the inside of the car is nice and modern. You can buy splitters and skirts for the car which give it a sexier look. Also you can get aftermarket lights, whether they be angel eyes, or rear smoked lights, or even lexus (not so keen to be honest). People tend to upgrade their lights to HID kits to make them that much brighter, even add clear lenses or angel eyes themselves. Or if you fancy an easier job get at least a 6500k temperature bulb which emits ice white, bluish light and gives the car a better look.

Unlike most cars calibra's are just smooth around every edge, unlike a pointy pug 106, or clio. Calibra's are in a completely different league. Not only can you pick one up as a bargain, but they look great even standard. All the edges are completely rounded and smooth, which obviously is great for the aerodynamics of the car to make it cut through the air at bullet speed.

At the front you'll either have a badge on the bonnet of the griffin, or a v-style grill on the later models, which people can remove at their own choice to make the car look more aggressive at the front and even add a bonnet extension. At the rear you have the badge and Vauxhall and Calibra (denoting the litre or turbo) in chrome fixings. You can remove these at your own wish but if you had one that said calibra turbo, I'd doubt you'd get rid of it.

---SOUND---

Engine: well without a doubt the Red-Top engines certainly have more of a roar to them, a rich and deep sound. I can't really say much about the V6 versions because I've not yet heard one, but the Ecotec's aren't as loud and purring sounding as the Red-Top's, I'm sure calibra fanatics would agree.

Usually people replace the standard exhaust with something a bit beefier, we have a double on which makes it sound lovely as your car drives down a street with the windows down. This is probably one of the most things that makes people turn around and look at our Calibra, because as you put your foot down it turns most heads.

Speaker wise: I've uprated some of the previous speakers in the Calibra, but they don't need to be unless you are a complete picky nutter who can hear every little fault. They do have a nice bass sound and that clearer sound with the tiny tiny speakers you have high in the door which direct the music towards your ear.
I find the car is good at keeping the sound in it, as if it is solid; it's not completely sound proof, but if you turn the music up and shut the doors the inside seems to absorb most of the decibels of sound.

---ICE---

Speakers, include the two front low in the door and two tweeter speakers in the centre top of the door, and two in the rear, which gives a surround sound feel. Usually people tend to upgrade the speakers though they are not that bad themselves, common modification is for people to place some speakers in the parcel shelf at the back for the extra sound or even a subwoofer.

When you get the car there is just a standard stereo in which plays the old school tapes, but I believe everyone changes them as soon as they get the chance, it's nice to have a CD player in the car, it makes it more convenient and you can hold a lot more music.

--- COLOUR GUIDE ---

There are two coat metallic and two coat pearlescent colours, ranging from red, grey, silver, black, white, yellow, green, blue and purple. See the colour guide in pictures. Not only have I seen two tone calibra's around, I've seen pictures of people custom spraying their calibra's to orange or having graphic work on the car.

I'm not favouring certain colours and this is my own personal opinion as well as including others but the best colour calibra's out there are the deep blue, red and black. I'm not favouring one at all because we have a silver calibra.

---COMMON FAULTS---

Sometimes Calibra's get to their day when they start running lumpy and slow, the idling isn't very good on the car so to get rid of this fault usually the Idle Control Valve is cleaned with Carb Cleaner. As soon as this was done on our Calibra you could certainly note the difference, it drives a lot smoother and doesn't seem to want to splutter and die on you.

Rust on early models pre-95 is a problem underneath the doors and on the wheel arches as well. Lucky this problems been rectified on the latest models as the producers also used another type of paint that stopped rust forming. However I believe it's also affected by how you look after your car, whether it's stored in a garage, washed and waxed regulary to bring it's colour up to top notch. Vauxhall have previously been known for severe rust on cars back in the day, but now they dip the metal in a special type of rust preventing paint.

On the interior the usual problem is wearing of the drivers seat at the side, usually people can find a donor car that is being broken into pieces and replace it with another seat. There isn't anyway of avoiding this really, unless you decide to buy some car seat covers which I'm not too keen on.

Electrics in Calibra's - don't even go there. Mostly on the ECOTEC engines, they seem to be way ahead of their time with so many sensors that usually cause the ECU light to come on. Most cases it's the CRANK, CAM or LAMBDA sensor, which last year we had all of them changed for the MOT as the emissions were running a little high.

---OTHER FEATURES---

You've got your standard fitted alarm and deadlock by Vauxhall, also some calibra models have an immobiliser fitted to the car for extra protection.

You've got your airbag in the drivers steering wheel, for safety. As well as the seat belt tensioners that catch and hold your body if you were to come to a quick holt.

ABS - air braking system to ensure safety in bad weather.

---MODIFYING---

Available on the net and at certain dealers you can buy chips to enhance the performance of your car.
Available also are body kits and angel eye lights as well as lexus lights.

Spoilers, splitters and skirts can be purchased from as cheap as £40-50 online to give your car that extra sporty look, even though the Calibra itself looks sleek enough without anything done to it. I've included some pictures of some Calibra owners which have dedicated their time in lending me their pictures to display along with my review so you can get an idea of what standard and modified Calibra's actually look like, and no matter what you do to them the end result can look amazing.---ONLINE---

There are various support forums which I am happily a member of, that help resolve people's problems, as well as sharing pictures, advice, selling parts and arranging meets. These are:
www.clubcalibra.com
www.clubcalibra.net

---THANKS---

To the members who kindly dedicated their pictures towards the review.
I know I've tried to cover as much as I can, but I constantly will be adding information to the review to make it as good as possible.