Calibra Turbo 4x4
The Calibra Turbo 4x4 is one of the most underestimated cars of all time. Over 10 years on from when it was first developed as the world's most aerodynamic production car, it still looks as fresh as ever and it's sleek contemporary lines belie it's true age. Cynics claim it's just a Cavalier with a body kit, a sheep in wolf's clothing so to speak, but these people more often than not have never sat behind the wheel and felt the power of over 200 bhp through all four wheel propel them from 0-60 in less than six and a half seconds continuing on to over 150 mph (see below). That's not to deny the car's Cavalier roots, but merely to point out that GM did more than just drop in a turbo and restyle the bodywork.
Above: 1994 Calibra 4x4 Turbo with EDS Phase II and uprated actuator producing 284bhp
Of course, we're not talking Lamborghini fast, but certainly quick enough to give most of the other so called performance cars a run for their money, especially in the wet when the 4x4 system leaves the tractionally challenged wheel spinning in a sea of red mist.
The 4x4 system, developed by Vauxhall (in partnership with Steyer-Puch-Daimler), is quite a sophisticated piece of kit. It uses a variable viscous coupling and a clutch system that can dynamically vary the amount of power transmitted to the rear wheels (normally around 75% front 25% rear) up to almost 100%. The rear transmission can also be automatically disengaged under certain conditions both for stability under braking and to protect the transfer box from fatigue. A common modification is to add a switch that allows the driver to manually select 2WD when 4WD is not really required (long motorway journeys), theoretically prolonging the life of the system. This brings me onto the supposed 'Achilles Heel' of the Calibra 4x4 - the transfer box. Treat it with respect and maintain it properly and it will provide you with well in excess of 100,000 miles of trouble free operation. However, neglect it and sooner or later it will jump up and bite you in the arse - a painful bite too, in the four figure region. A new transfer box from Vauxhall will set you back around £3000 fitted and even a reconditioned one will cost nearly a grand. There are a lot of horror stories about this problem but nearly all incidents could have been easily avoided with proper preventative maintenance. The popular opinion is that the TX box is made of fine bone china and that it will spontaneously combust at the earliest opportunity. This quite simply is a myth, perpetuated by the ignorant and the misinformed. I have been running mine with 284bhp for over 2 years now and it shows no signs of failure at all.
There are any number of reasonably priced tweaks that will push the C20LET engine in excess of 250bhp and a few more expensive ones that will push it over 300 making it a very serious contender indeed. The brakes, though more than adequate for a swift bit of back road driving, will start to fade if used hard and frequently at speed and extended periods of such driving will obviously benefit from an upgrade. Handling in standard spec is better than most with a stiffer, lower suspension setup resulting in a firmer but well balanced ride. Handling is further enhanced by the 4WD which allows earlier and harder acceleration out of the bends.
Despite it's performance the Turbo is a practical car for everyday use and in these times of rising fuel costs remains relatively economical thanks to a 6 speed gearbox. Insurance can be a problem especially for the younger driver, though anyone over 25 with a decent NCB should be able to find a reasonable three-figure quote. Problems vary and hence so does the cost of repair. If you believe the stories, some owners have spent twice as much on servicing as they did on buying the car (should have spent a little more on checking the car out in the first place) but this has not been my experience.... yet!? Due to the nature of the 4x4 system all four tyres need to be replaced as one which can be expensive in one hit. An unrepairable puncture on one tyre can often result in the need to replace all four - OUCHHH!!!
A final word of advice - if you are going to buy one of these cars, do your homework thoroughly. Better still, find someone who knows these cars back to front and ask them to check it out for you. You're not buying a normal car here and if you don't know what you're doing then chances are you're gonna get your fingers burned. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!
Proof that the Calibra Turbo can easily manage 155mph+
And this isn't the fastest it's been. I have had it off the top of the speedo with a GPS reading of 163 mph. It's quite a difficult task with only a couple of miles of runway and if you don't hit the brakes in time then it's a trip into the scenery. I only just managed to snap this picture before stamping down hard. With a raised rev limit to 7250 rpm (Phase 2) the car could in theory, given enough power to push it through the air, manage over 185 mph. If only it had wings...!!!
This is by no means a definitive guide to the Calibra 4x4 Turbo and is based on both my own experience and snippets of info ripped off from elsewhere. If you require more information on the technical aspects then checkout the links below:
Calibra owners forum plus mountains of useful and interesting Calibra information
From the turbo to the transmission, from the ECU to the engine.
Calibra garages, performance experts and repair specialists
Numerous sites dedicated to the glory of the Calibra
Anything that doesn't belong in the section above