Goes on sale in early 2013.
At the beginning of last month Opel/Vauxhall teased a new mid-size convertible called the Cascada and now they have provided full details about the upcoming model. With a length of 4697mm and a width of 1840mm, the four-seater is going to be the cheapest model in this segment as it will carry an estimated price tag of 25,000 pounds.
It takes 17 seconds to operate the soft top by touching a button and this can be done at speeds of up to 31 mph (50 km/h). This new arrangement is entirely different from the previous convertible with the Opel or Vauxhall badge, the Astra TwinTop, which had a retractable hard-top roof.
The platform used for the Cascada is a mixture of elements from the Astra and the Insignia models. First seen in the Vauxhall Insignia VXR, the HiPer strut front suspension has been implemented in this new convertible, while at the back it has a compound crank beam axle design. For more money clients can opt for the FlexRide adaptive chassis technology that comes with three driving modes.
Not only is it 221mm longer than the aforementioned Astra TwinTop, but the new Cascada has a 71mm longer wheelbase at 2700mm so it should provide considerably more legroom. It will be available with various wheels ranging from 18 to 20 inches, while the stopping power will come from the 326mm front brake discs and the 325mm rear ones.
Under the hood it can get an entirely new 1.6-liter SIDI ECOTEC turbocharged gasoline engine with 168 hp (125 kW) and 206 lb-ft (279 Nm), while chances are that in the future there will also be a more powerful variant of this engine with 197 hp (147 kW) and a lower output version with 148 hp (110 kW). At first this engine will be connected only to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Other engines offered for the 2013 Opel/Vauxhall Cascada include a 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline that develops 138 hp (103 kW) and 162 lb-ft (219 Nm), followed by a 2.0-liter CDTi with 163 hp (121 kW) and 280 lb-ft (379 Nm) and a possible 2.0-liter BiTurbo diesel that generates 192 hp (143 kW) and 295 lb-ft (220 kW).
Customers will be able to choose from one of the three colors available for the soft top, while the body will be available in ten different hues.
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