Review of the new Vauxhall Tigra Sport Range

You can imagine the scene in the product planning meeting at Vauxhall HQ. The latest sales forecasts are being fashioned into paper aeroplanes then hurled across the conference room, the marketing executives have left drawing pins on the chairs of the accounts dept and somebody has sketched a highly unflattering picture of Ford's vice president on the whiteboard. The door opens, the boss walks in and everyone jumps to attention. "Right, weather's warmer and we need something to give a shot in the arm to sales of our sporty cars. What have you got?" Blank looks abound. Then one brave soul pipes up. "How about a more desirable version of the Tigra? It'll be a bit exclusive, great in the warmer weather and we can make it red. Everyone loves a red convertible." "Brilliant!"

It's true, nothing tugs on the heart strings quite as violently as the iconic little red sportscar. The Vauxhall Tigra may not be a sportscar in the truest sense and the Sport Rouge version we look at here isn't actually red but it does have a Bordeaux Red-coloured roof, it is a bit sporty and at under £16,000, we really shouldn't split hairs. The point is that it's cute, it's fun, it's affordable and with a modicum of extra exclusivity along with that natty red roof to match your handbag, it looks guaranteed find favour with the target market.

The Sport Rouge version replaces the old Sport trim level which was already generously equipped. This edition is available in four body colours - Metro Blue, Star Silver, Flame Red or Black Sapphire - and comes as standard with central locking, electrically adjustable door mirrors, CD player and steering wheel mounted controls. Also standard are 16" alloy wheels, an aux-in MP3 player jack and Sports seats. If that's not enough, you can upgrade to a choice of 17 inch alloy wheels, a full leather pack and rear parking sensors, or even a stylish VXR pack to make your car really stand out from the crowd.

".with the natty red roof to match your handbag, it's guaranteed find favour with the target market"

Whereas the old MK1 Tigra was rather optimistically dubbed a 2+2 coupe, the latest version is an unashamed two seater. Its profile looks much like a Peugeot 206CC to which somebody has taken a plane and chamfered all the curves into edgy angles and gives a clue as to the car's party piece. At the press of a button, the hard top folds into the boot in just 20 seconds, turning the little coupe into a full convertible.

The interior quality is a long way ahead of any small convertible rival and the hood is an impressive piece of work. The cabin features wheel-mounted audio controls, a metallic finished fascia and a tiltable steering column. Both seats are height adjustable and an electronic display panel is standard on all models.

Vauxhall had the benefit of other's mistakes to draw upon in developing the Tigra. Many of the early coupe-cabriolet models looked the part but were cursed with woeful luggage space. This time round, the Tigra doesn't attempt to wedge in a pair of useless vestigial rear seats, instead offering a useful boot of 440 litres. Even with the hood cassette, in place there's 250 litres available - more than enough for a weekend's light luggage for two.

There's a good deal of thoughtful attention to detail. The heated rear window features a special scratchproof glass and the tiny front and rear overhangs make the car easy to park. One thing has continued from the previous Tigra model. This is still a car that will sell on the strength of its looks. The 3D ellipsoidal headlamps and wrap-around tail lights have the requisite bejewelled looks and the wedge shape that rises from front to rear helps the Tigra avoid the pram look that afflicts many small convertibles.

Two petrol engines are available with the Sport Rouge model, both sixteen-valve units. Performance from the 1.4-litre engine is adequate, although all the weight of those electric motors will naturally take the edge off sprinting ability. The car will get to 60mph in 12.2 seconds and run on to a top speed of 112mph. Fuel economy is very good indeed with a 34.9mpg economy figure about town. The more indicative combined cycle measures 46.3mpg.

Opt instead for the 1.8-litre car and the fuel economy drops quite significantly. Expect to manage around 36.7mpg on the combined cycle and an unspectacular 25.9mpg in urban areas. The flipside of this is that performance is a lot brighter. Sixty mph in 9.2 seconds can't be sneezed at and a top speed of 127mph will be plenty for most customers. If you don't much care about performance, there's also a 1.3-litre diesel variant on offer.

In case you were wondering about the Tigra's target market, let's just say that it's not the most macho model in the Vauxhall hierarchy. It's unlikely to tempt hairy-chested medallion men from their VXR8s or crazed boy racers from their VXR Astras and Corsas. The Tigra is a much friendlier proposition with the sassy red roof of the Sport Rouge model giving it a slightly naughtier edge. Prices for the car start at £15,705 for the 1.4-litre-engined model which, with the extra equipment you get in this version, looks like a good value deal. Never underestimate the Vauxhall marketing department.