The Vauxhall Calibra was introduced in 1990 to compete against the increasingly popular range of Japanese sports coupés available at the end of the 1980s. When it was launched in June 1990 the Calibra was the world's most aerodynamic production coupe, having a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.26.

The Calibra was based on the then-current Vectra saloon and whilst it initially only had front-wheel drive, four-wheel drive soon became available. Engines included the 2.0 litre 8 and 16 valve engines with a turbocharged version of the multi-valve engine with just over 200bhp being added in 1992. With this power unit, four-wheel drive and a six speed Getrag gearbox, the Calibra finally had the performance and handling to match its looks.

The example on display is an ex-press fleet SE9 from 1997, the model's last year of production, and has the 2.5litre 24 valve DOHC V6 with 170bhp. During its production run in Europe 238,647 examples were built.