Opel keeps calling its drop-top Cascada a mid-size convertible, even though we all know that the car is built on the otherwise compact Delta vehicle architecture shared with the Opel Astra and Chevy Cruze, among others. But lest we get accused of splitting hairs, let’s imagine — if only for a few minutes — that the Cascada may be a mid-sizer. If that’s the case, then it’s the first time in 70 years that Opel will have developed and produced a mid-size convertible on its own, and in its own facilities.
Fact is, most of Opel’s larger-than-compact (read: midsize) convertibles were not designed, engineered, or built by the German automaker itself, but were instead converted and sold in limited numbers by specialized German coachbuilders such as Autenrieth and Karl Deutsch. You see, the practice of outsourcing convertible production (read: “conversions”) was business as usual decades ago — think Opel Kapitän and Rekord from the fifties and sixties, respectively. More recently, the Kadett E Cabrio and two Astra Cabrio generations were produced outside of Opel by Italian coachbuilder Carozzeria Bertone.
The most immediate predecessor to the Cascada was the Opel-built Astra TwinTop (but Opel considered it a compact); the TwinTop was itself preceded by Opel’s popular compact drop-top offerings of the 70s and 80s such as the affordable Kadett.
So, the Cascada is all GM-Opel in design, engineering, and manufacturing — marking a first for the brand when it comes to mid-size convertibles… that is if you still believe that Cascada is mid-size — even though some would say it’s really an Astra with a soft top and a slightly longer wheelbase than the traditional Astra.
The GM Authority Take
Here’s what we think about all this: for starters, it’s important for any automaker that takes itself seriously to have the resources and the know-how to design and build its own convertible — whether it be a hard- or soft-top. In that regard, Opel delivers with the Cascada. But we’re still puzzled by how a vehicle riding on the architecture shared with compact vehicles all of a sudden becomes a mid-size offering… but we digress.
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Comments
Buick, your Wildcat just arrived.
All european cars are getting bigger
and it’s funny
It kind of reminds me of the Buick Velite concept car from a few years ago. My wife and I have been waiting on the Velite to come to market and will be the first ones in line to drive one of those awesome cars home. I just hope Buick leverages the Cascada to produce the Velite here in the US. Check it out @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buick_Velite . Now that’s some kick ass design work…simple, elegant, and sporty at the same time.
It’s not an entirely necessary car, but GM doesn’t really have a proper convertible in the United States (Camaro and Corvette are the only ones, and some people might not want something as big as the Camaro or that is RWD) I’d like to see this as a Buick.
I did a little more research and looks like my idea isn’t such a new idea at all. I did a GM Authority Blog search and turned up the following post
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2012/10/general-motors-in-process-of-obtaining-velite-trademark/
Let’s just pray they follow through with it!!!!
Dave — yupp, you’re right. We’ve been following this convertible Opel/Buick closely over the last few years — and the Cascada would seem to make a great Buick convertible. We’ll find out soon enough 🙂
Dang, I really like this car! Kind-of sort-of like a little Bentley. Love that A-pillar wing-window style treatment. I don’t know if there is a market for this (Michael Scott bought his last Lebaron conv.) but it would be great to see this as a Buick Wildcat. It would be good for the brand to bring in people under 70.
The world’s first convertible that looks better with the top up.
This is the no brainer of the decade and would help solidify Buick as an all around option a car company for the masses not just relic human beings…
guess the definitions of ‘compact’ and ‘midsize’ are not quite the same in the US and Europe. Still, the midsize claim is largely due the idea of positioning it above the Astra. K.F. Stracke was even speaking of a convertible on the ‘Insignia’s platform’.
Talking about great Opel convertibles don’t forget the Admiral:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opel_Admiral
All cars are getting bigger but, again, GM will arrive late to the party. (Look at Malibu, more euro than the euro VW.) It seems like GM is trying to send a message: We no longer produce boat-like large cars and we’ve entered the modern era.
I love Cascada even though it looks like an Insignia/Regal and belong on thatplatform. Then again, Delta2 can clearly be used for larger cars when you increase wheel base which makes me wonder why GM even bothers with Epsilon2 short wheel base when they could save a lot of case placing more cars on this single platform?
I want to see this car come to America as a Cascada (Waterfall), as in the car’s grill. I feel like the name is code for the connection between Opel and Buick.
Now, it is time for all Opels and Buicks to share the same model names as part of building a unified globlal brand. I love the idea of Cascada, Insignia and Verano being sold by Opel, Vaux, and Buick. It would be an innovative idea and provide critics a better context for the vehicles. Cascada by Buick; Cascada by Opel; Cascada by Vauxhall–in this context the cars trump the marque.