Filed under: Convertibles, Euro, GM, Vauxhall, UK
Vauxhall Tigra Sport Rouge: When a mock top isn't really a mock top
Click above for a gallery of the Vauxhall Tigra Sport Rogue
Mock tops: they're not just for Cadillacs anymore. Heck, now they're not even for non-convertibles anymore. Across the pond, Vauxhall has found an answer to a question no one has asked -- or at least a question no one should be asking. That question is, "how do we appeal to customers who want the look of a soft top on their hardtop convertible."
Our answer: Those customers are insane -- pay them no mind. Their answer: Give the droptop a mock top...even though it's not technically "mock". This, in a nutshell, is rationale behind the Vauxhall Tigra Sport Rouge, whose folding metal roof is covered in red fabric, combining the look of a soft top with the weight and diminished cargo capacity that come with a retractable hardtop. Brilliant. The least they could have done was insert fake bows under the fabric to really drive home the theme. I mean, that treatment looked completely awesome on the four-door Buick Regal grandpa speciaI I saw in the supermarket parking lot the other day.
Gallery: Vauxhall Tigra Sport Rogue
[Source: Vauxhall]
PRESS RELEASE:
NEW TIGRA GAINS MATERIAL COVERAGE
Tigra Sport Rouge – Hot and Exciting
* New-look fabric roof
* From £15,705
* Available to order now
Hot off the catwalk the stylish Sport Rouge is the latest edition to the Tigra range featuring a dynamic new change to the drop top roof.
The new Sport Rouge replaces the Sport model, and features a whole host of standard equipment from only £15,705. Perhaps the most eye-catching feature is its roof which is now covered in a stylish Bordeaux Red coloured fabric. Designed to appeal to those who love the look of a fabric soft top but who also want the convenience, security and safety of a hard top, the Sport Rouge offers the best of both worlds. As with all Tigras, the new-look roof can be raised or lowered in just 20 seconds.
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.
Offered with a choice of three engines – the nippy 1.4 litre and 1.8 litre petrols, and the economical 1.3 diesel – prices range from £15,705 to £17,195.
Order from Retailers now. The perfect way to banish those winter blues.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
psu48187 2:07PM (4/26/2008)
Talk about red headed step child..
Reply
HotRodzNKustoms 2:37PM (4/26/2008)
I'd take a Saturn Tigra with the 1.3 diesel for a daily driver for $15k
Reply
Aprime 2:51PM (4/26/2008)
I'm sure you will.
Aprime 2:51PM (4/26/2008)
*would, blah.
zamafir 2:52PM (4/26/2008)
So the look of a soft top with the weight of a hard top, in short the worst of both worlds? It would appear the X6 is already having wide sweeping impact on the rest of the automotive industry as other automakers strive to build trophies to the worst of both worlds in an effort to usurp bmw. fantastic.
Reply
JD 3:07PM (4/26/2008)
Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I thought part of the appeal of a hardtop convertible was the fact that when the roof is up it looks like a normal coupe. This seems like a bad idea from the get go, but I guess it at least doesn't add too much weight to the hardtop package. Still, strange.
zamafir 3:18PM (4/26/2008)
yup, I'm looking forward to clarkson's review.
3seriesisking 4:04PM (4/26/2008)
Zamafir. We get it, you hate the X6. But did it really need a comment in this post?
MJL 4:43PM (4/26/2008)
Just writing in to encourage you to continue saying horrible things about the X6 as frequently as possible.
And as for this idea, I thought that at least half the point of a convertible hardtop was that it looked better – is there really a consensus out there that soft tops look good their roofs up?
SPG 3:13PM (4/26/2008)
Love the car, hate the idea of a "mock top".
Frigging crazy.
Reply
1337 10:17PM (4/26/2008)
In its defense, retractable hardtops are generally quieter than soft tops, even well padded ones. However, putting cloth over a metal top doesn't quite justify the name "Rogue." Not that Nissan's Sentra wagon is much more of an...erm...rogue.
Paul H. 3:19PM (4/26/2008)
Wow, a new take on the hideous "Castor Avenue" top, as we call them in Philly.
Reply
apu 3:21PM (4/26/2008)
April 1 was almost a month ago.
Reply
Jeff Banks 3:21PM (4/26/2008)
Nice looking car if it was actually a convertible.
Reply
Quattrofan 3:35PM (4/26/2008)
You know if it wasn't for this photo, I'd say read the article....
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/vauxhall-tigra-sport-rogue/774107/
1337 10:18PM (4/26/2008)
hahaha owned.
Jeff Banks 11:56PM (4/26/2008)
woops, my bad
Derek 8:34AM (4/27/2008)
"I thought that at least half the point of a convertible hardtop was that it looked better – is there really a consensus out there that soft tops look good their roofs up?"
Most retractable hardtops don't look that great with their top up either. IMO, the reason for this is that cars are like women. It's not that they look bad with the top up, it's just that they are so much better with the top down. ;)
TriShield 5:22PM (4/26/2008)
OMG BRING IT OVER AS A SATURN NOW SILLY GM
So we can all complain about how much we don't like it when it gets here.
Reply
1337 10:18PM (4/26/2008)
Sheesh, and we all thought the Sky was bad.