Instead of revealing it during the 2012 Paris Motor Show, Opel/Vauxhall decided to wait a few weeks to reveal the Cascada, its new convertible. We’re still puzzled about the timing of the release, but regardless, today is the day we officially get to see photos of the new drop-top launching in early 2013
At 184.9 inches long (4,697 mm), and 72.4 inches wide (1,840 mm), Opel is classifying the new Cascada as a mid-sized convertible, but its dimensions are nearly identical to the compact Astra, and therefore the Buick Verano as well. The new Cascada will also feature the awesome HiPer Strut front suspension and FlexRide adaptive damping systems. Meanwhile, the soft top can fully retract in 17 seconds with the touch of a button, while moving at speeds of up to 50 km/h, or 31 mph. Three soft top colors will be available at launch, which can be coordinated with ten different body colors.
Accouterments include electric seat belt presenters, and ventilated, Nappa leather front seats. For ease of entry into the second row (this is a coupe after all), an electric entry system provides ease of use for occupants to slide in and out. And for increased storage, the rear seats split 50:50 into the trunk, which can hold 350 liters, or 12.3 cubic feet with the top up. There’s also a heated steering wheel to be found in the Cascada, as well.
The car is packed with active safety features. Elements such as an AFL+ Adaptive Forward Lighting system with up to 11 automatic functions, the second generation Opel Eye front camera with its new, extended functionalities (enhanced Traffic Sign Recognition and Lane Departure Warning, new Following Distance Indication and Forward Collision Alert), a rear-view camera and an Advanced Park Assist, an ultra-sonic based Side Blind Spot Alert, and Hill Start Assist.
Mechanically, the new Opel Cascada will debut an all-new 1.6L Turbo Ecotec powertrain with 125 kW/170 hp and 280Nm/206 lb.-ft. that can be mated to either a six-speed automatic or manual transmission. Complimenting the new engine begins with two 1.4L turbocharged four-pot variants, providing 88 kW/120 hp and 103 kW/140 hp while achieving 220 Nm/162 lb.-ft. of torque thanks to overboost. Finally, a 2.0L diesel with 121 kW/165 hp and 380Nm/280 lb.-ft. of torque with either a manual or an automatic 6-speed transmission will be available.
Opel hints that even more powerful engine variants are on their way, but we have to ask — does the new Cascada convertible have a place in the Buick family? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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Comments
I think it’ll fit in well with Buick.
Personally, I think this is a no-brainer! OF COURSE it should also be a Buick! Isn’t that the whole new mentality – cross market models for maximizing ROI?
And, face it, while Buick now offers more manual models than Ferrari, it COULD use a “sporty” car.
Lexus has the IS-C and Audi has droptop versions of the A5 and TT. It would make sense from a competitive offering view. I guess other questions I would have are:
Is that market large enough to be of interest to GM and would the sales potential be worth it? Would production take place in Germany to take help address the overcapacity there? Would/does this product help address overcapacity issues?
It’s a nice looking car that obviously fits with buick design language, and a convertible Buick has been absent from their stable for a long time. 2014 might be a good time to offer it, assuming our economy is more or less stable by then.
With respect, this car (if brought to the US) would not be in the same category as the A5, TT, or even worse, the IS-C. It’s entirely too small for the IS and the A5 and it would be too mainstream for the TT. To go up against the A5 Buick would need a Regal Convertible. Against the IS, they would need a version of the Camaro as a convertible (this would address the “Riviera”-sized vehicle that Kyree S Williams is calling for). For the TT they would perhaps need a version of the Pontiac Solstice. This Opel here would be duking it out with the VW Eos.
Well, it’s really in the same size segment as the IS, A5, C-coupe, and IS-C. Those are true compacts, and with the exception of the Audi, have RWD setups that limit interior space thanks to the driveline to the rear wheels.
But even so, if the Cascada makes its way here, it could simply be offerredd as an alternative to the IS-C, just as the Verano is offered as the more quiet/soft alternative to the IS. The only distinguishing difference to IS buyers (who by far and large don’t care about RWD vs. FWD or power) is that the Cascada is a ragtop, while the Lexus is a hardtop vert.
Wow… So basically we can expect this in 3 years as a Buick… Meanwhile… GM get this out now… So nice so beautiful…
As a Buick, I don’t see a great potential for sales, nor do I see it elevating their image. God knows, I wouldn’t settle for one. I think it has a lot more potential as a Chevrolet; even then, they would probably lose money on it.
Of course it should it’s a niche
absolutely…
It will be a suprise, one of the two to come or maybe three.
do you mean that by engine wise JD?
The engine will be available here no matter what. JD is likely referring to something else.
Yes, please. But please get rid of that awful Buick tin grin grill!
There is a Convertable spot left from the G6 Convertable which didn’t sell bad at all. Price it right and Buick could have a replacement for the G6 Convertable. Give it the turbo 4 and a naturally aspirated motor. I don’t see it happening though. And if it did, GM would take 2 years tweaking it for American markets
The current Astra was designed to be a global car — so it wouldn’t take 2 years to get it or any of its variants federalized.
However, the new Buick is a luxurious brand — whereas Pontiac was anything but. Any comparisons to the G6 vert are based on the drop-top nature of both vehicles… nothing more, I hope.
This could easily be a Buick. GM of America currently makes only two convertibles, the high-strung Camaro and the impractical Corvette. There is a market for roomy, relaxed and sophisticated convertibles, and I think that if any division were to market such a vehicle, it would be Buick. No way would this be a Chevrolet, as someone has suggested. It is too…continental and upmarket to be appreciated by customers of the bowtie brand.
It might end up carrying the storied Riviera nameplate if a fixed-roof iteration develops. However if that winds up being the case, GM needs to make sure it has the power and luxury that such a name constitutes.
Hard to figure out why this company struggles. It can’t be because the cars look bad. Bring those designs to the US. The Opel line (like Holden) on a whole is nicer than all Chevys (discounting Camaro and Corvette) and Buicks together.
The reason Opel is struggling is a European depression. Most other companies are also suffering. Typically when that happens, it’s semi-premium brands (Buick, Volvo, Saab, Opel) that are hit the hardest. From what I can tell, though, what is most valuable at Opel is not its portfolio of designs or products, but rather the proprietary technology that it provides to the rest of GM. Holden (the Australian GM subsidiary) also fulfills such a role. Vauxhall (the UK subsidiary) is in my opinion entirely unnecessary.
As far as troubles go, even German-giant Volkswagen Auto Group is struggling. In order to save cash, it may delay or altogether cancel the planned development of a Bentley and a Lamborghini SUV, both of which would utilize the Touareg/Q7/Cayenne platform.
Nice looking car, it would be great as a Buick. Why the ugly color, what is that, dark primer?
That car is beautiful!
I can’t really see a Buick Verano convertible. I’m feeling awkward just thinking about it. With its squished looking headlights and weird A pillar and I think the back end, from a front 3/4 view, looks kinda weird. So no. a convertible would not do it any good.
In agree wholeheartedly with Kyree Williams. He got it bang on. And GM, you have got to bring this beautiful car to your home market, which really needs it!
Looking over the photos, is it my imagination or does the grill area look like it was designed to nicely sub in a Buick waterfall? And even the taillight area looks ready to convert to a Buick rear end. Hmmm…..
Listen GM, stop Messin around and bring these Opels here Stateside, who cares what the brand is “although I prefer Opel” bring the whole stinking lineup here Astras, Adams ect… Stop beating around the bush and bring every stinking Opel here..,
Absolutely…Please bring this car to the U.S. as a Buick! I looked at a Verano this
Spring but didn’t feel comfortable in the driver’s seat so I leased a Cruze 2LT and absolutely love it! I thought about buying out the lease and keeping this car forever, however I decided to wait to see what GM comes out with in the next couple years before my lease is up. I would really love a 2 door convertible Cruze or Verano were it to ever surface!
Yes, the Opel Cascada convertible should be marketed in the US as a Buick.
Aside from that goofy A pillar peephole window all too common on Opels, It’s a beautiful little convertible that would work right well as a Buick, but can we PLEASE ditch the ugly ”waterfall grille”.First stop would be the Opel parts catalogue for the Opel grille for me. Vertical grilles= EDSEL. Honestly, that single feature caused me to choose pontiac and Olds versions of the Regal and LeSabre more than once. The only time I didn’t, The Lesabre T type had a nice horizontal grille.
I’d finally replace my beautiful Audi A4 Cabrio with one.( well more likeky pass it along to my daughter anyway.)
That last Buick Riviera (1995-1999) had a very Jaguar-esque horizontal grille, as did the previous-gen Buick LaCrosse.
But the only thing that has ever reminded me of a front-end as hideous as that of an Edsel was the Subaru B9 Tribeca, which was so odd-looking as to prompt writer at “The Truth About Cars” to compare it to a female’s genitalia…
What’s interesting is that “cascada” is Spanish for waterfall, and, as you all know, the most recent Buicks have a “waterfall grille.”
The General might be throwing us a hint…
haha good one Kyree!
Some good posts from you on this thread! 🙂
Looks like a Chrysler for some reason…..nice
Opel cascada in europe same clas with audi a5 cabrio -same size
I do not understand what Buick has for a target audience. It seems to me the should target Acura and BMW 3 buyers by making cars for the young upcoming professional. These buyers have something to prove, yet the bland styling of all but the Regal GS does not do the brand justice. They thought of making another jellybean convertible about 10 years ago and before that they had the Reatta. If they want to sell convertibles they need to make something like the Buick Blackhawk. That was a car that would say “I have arrived.” Something a little arrogant and a little bit of a show-off.
I bought a ’71 Buick Riviera in 1997 when I was 19. Why? Because I loved the arrogant and unique styling. Google it if you don’t know what it looks like, it is extremely unique. Buick needs to bring back the unique!
Your story is sort of parallel to mine. I am currently 19 and I like the 1995-99 Buick Riviera (the last one). And an 1983 Buick Riviera was the first car I ever looked at. I would love it if Buick reincarnated the Riviera nameplate, but it needs to be done right.
Tom — the new Buick should pursue the Lexus of the late 90s and early 2000s: soft, luxurious, and not performance-oriented.
There is an entire market of drivers who would rather purchase a luxury car that is NOT performance-oriented (BMW, new Cadillac), but rather one that’s soft, refined, quiet, and disconnected from the road.
Acura is a brand without rhyme or reason; they try to promote their rebadged FWD Hondas as somehow containing a spirited driving experience, but they will always lose to BMW, MBZ, Audi, and the new Caddy; BMW is Cadillac’s territory (ATS). Lexus today seems to be so focused on the performance-luxury segment of BMW that it has lost sight of what brought it to prominence 1-2 decades ago: quiet, understated, refined, and soft transportation. Enter Buick.
I am currently driving a 2009 Pontiac G6 Retractable Hard-top Convertible…and I love it
The size fits into he compact range which is the fastest growing market segment . The look is superb , a buick grill mounted flush with the hoodline to enhance the go fast look would be nice . Question , what happens to trunk space with the convertible….room for a bag of groceries ??
usayjim, If this were a retractable hardtop, I’d be sure that’s the case. But, since it’s a soft top I’m crossing my fingers that there is still some usable trunk space. Even 9 cubic feet would be not bad, if it is not some oddball shape.