Calibra YE95

The 1995 YE95 Calibra range added a 125kW/227Nm 2.5-litre V6 engine, available with a four-speed auto or five-speed manual gearbox.

Other changes included dual front airbags, sports seats, revised instrumentation, improved audio system, new colours, redesigned alloy wheels (again) and a trip computer.

The two 2.0-litre engines disappeared, replaced with a 100kW/185Nm 2.0-litre twin-cam 16-valve unit linked to a five-speed manual only gearbox.

But bad timing once again scuppered the Calibra’s chances of success the YE95 was released just as the compact 4WD boom – led by the Toyota RAV4 – was beginning at the expense of sports coupe sales.

The three-tiered YE95 models were discontinued without replacement in mid-’98. Ironically, by the end of that very year Australia finally went crazy for a two-door Holden – the Commodore Coupe Concept that stole the 1998 Sydney motor show.

That eventually became the super successful 2001 Holden Monaro.

Timing, it seems, was never on the Calibra’s side.