Go topless – whatever the weather!

It’s always summer somewhere, and while we British are nibbling away at yet more turkey sandwiches and huddling in front of the fire, our cousins in the southern hemisphere are firing up the barbie and trying to find new ways to stay cool in the mid-summer heat.

Such is the broad appeal of New Tigra, with its stylish design and excellent driving dynamics, that the baby coupe-cabriolet has just gone on sale in both sun-drenched South Africa, as an Opel, and Australia, where it’s badged as a Holden.

Our Aussie friends get only one version of Tigra, however, and that’s the gutsiest
1.8-litre petrol variant. Here in the UK, with more congested roads and fewer wide open spaces, Vauxhall offers a greater choice of models, including a frugal diesel. The range has now been further bolstered by the addition of a new ‘Exclusiv’ Special Edition, which offers unrivalled levels of style, equipment and value for money.

While we in the UK are unlikely to see temperatures getting anywhere near double figures until the spring, the Tigra Exclusiv is a car you’ll want to be seen in whatever the weather. That’s no problem, as like all Tigras the new addition is a warm and snug coupe with the roof up, or in just 20 seconds can be switched into convertible mode – just the thing if you want a bracing winter drive to clear your mind after the Christmas excesses. So while Australian and South African Tigra owners are topping up their tans in the searing summer heat, you can still enjoy the thrills of winter wind-in-the hair motoring, especially thanks to the Exclusiv’s heated leather sports seats.

Other standard kit includes air conditioning, 17-inch five-spoke sports alloy wheels, a CD30 stereo radio CD with MP3 capability, a remote control ultrasonic security alarm, leather sports steering wheel, alloy trimmed pedals, gearknob and handbrake grip, front fog lights and a smart Star Silver targa roof hoop.

Even better, the price is no different to that of the Tigra Sport. That means the Exclusiv kicks off at £14,485 for the 1.4i Sport, rising to £15,695 for either the 1.8i Sport or 1.3 CDTi.

It’s not just the sunshine we have to look forward to in the spring either. The Tigra will get a big brother when the Astra TwinTop arrives in April, offering coupe style, drop-top looks and space for four. Like the Tigra, it promises to keep drivers looking cool, whatever the weather.