Opel/Vauxhall Cascada To Debut All-New 1.6L Turbocharged Ecotec Engine

When the new Opel/Vauxhall Cascada convertible finally makes its debut across the pond next year, it will bring with it the all-new 1.6-liter turbocharged Ecotec engine. And according to AutoCar, we can expect the peppy four-pot to expel up to 197 brake horsepower and 211 lb.-ft. of torque, when calibrated to the Performance Turbo tune. The base 1.6L turbo is no slouch either, at 168 bhp and 206 lb.-ft. of torque — 54bhp and 92 lb.-ft. more than the existing 1.6-liter engine offered in the Astra today.

For reference, the new 1.6 liter is capable of a maximum of 300 Nm (221 lb.-ft. of torque) at 1,700 RPM and 202 PS (200 hp) at 4,700 RPM. Compared to the outgoing 1.6 turbo Ecotec, the new unit cuts fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 13 percent, but specific details are yet to be announced on a model-by-model basis.

On top of it all, Opel is claiming a 13 percent increase in fuel economy over the outgoing block. Sounds like the makings of a winner to us… hopefully it finds itself in the engine bays of North American Chevrolets (or perhaps Buicks) as well.