Opel Calibra:

Future Opel Calibra rendered

This may not be the first time that you hear about a rebirth of the very successful Opel Calibra. The future European General Motors model is set to be revealed sometime in 2011, the new Calibra will compete with stylish and sporty vehicles like the Volkswagen Scirocco and will be placed in Opel’s lineup ahead of the upcoming more economical three door Astra hatchback.

The future Calibra’s design is inspired by the GTC Concept that was unveiled back at the 2007 Detroit Motor Show, with headlights heavily inspired by the new Astra. The new Calibra will be built on the automaker’s current front wheel drive Delta platform and will feature a wider track and increased wheelbase compared to the new Astra.

Under the hood, Opel will use the same set of engines as in the new Astra. Starting off with a 157 HP 2.0 Liter diesel and a 177 HP 1.6 turbo motor. Opel will also offer the range topping 2.0 Liter turbocharged power plant from the upcoming Astra VXR that will crank out over 250 HP.

Opel bringing in a Scirocco fighter?

We like coupes. They may not always be faster than their sedan counterparts, but at least they look faster.

Opel sold the Calibra between 1989 and 1997 to Europe, Austalia and South America. It was basically a Vectra with the rear doors lobbed off, but also almost made the Vectra cool. Now that Opel is making sedans that are already cool like the Insigna, an ultra-cool commuter coupe would be the perfect compliment. We picked up rumors of a new Calibra a while ago. We just assumed that since the chatter died out, so did the car. Now, according to the German magazine AutoZeitung, there is a Calibra on the drawing board for 2011.

This time is going down in size, and using the next Astra’s platform to do battle with cars like the Volkswagen Scirocco and Renault Laguna Coupe. Under the hood of the new model Opel will likely place a wide range of engines, both gasoline and diesel ranging from 130 hp to 250 hp.

All of these specs have us excited, but there still is a dark cloud. If a new Calibra does go into production, its unlikely General Motors will put it on a boat for the U.S.

Calibra - Proof that old school still rocks

The Opel Calibra (badged as a Vauxhall in the UK and a Holden in Australia and New Zealand) was launched in 1989, a front-wheel drive coupé based around the running gear of the Opel Vectra A, (Cavalier under the Vauxhall name) which had been launched the year befo
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