mobile-menu-icon
GM Authority

Buick Convertible To Launch Within Next 18 Months In United States, Will Be Named Cascada

We’ve known for some time now that GM’s Buick brand is in line to get a two-door convertible in the near future for some time, but details about the vehicle have been few and far between, until now.

According to sources within GM’s dealer network, Buick’s convertible will be none other than the Opel Cascada. The Delta-based rag-top will be called Buick Cascada (not the Riviera as some had thought), will make its way to the North American and Chinese markets with nearly no changes from its Opel-badged model.

The vehicle will launch within the next 18 months in the United States, as well as other markets where the Buick brand is available, including Canada, Mexico, and China, thereby furthering GM’s global alignment of the Buick and Opel/Vauxhall brands.

Although not confirmed by sources, two-door compact soft-top will likely be powered by GM’s new 2.0-liter turbo-charged four-cylinder (LTG) mated to a six-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. So, for those looking for topless Buick and more GM News, stay tuned to GM Authority.

Former staff.

Subscribe to GM Authority

For around-the-clock GM news coverage

We'll send you one email per day with the latest GM news. It's totally free.

Comments

  1. Good move!
    Caddy needs a convertible. They never sell in huge numbers but are good halos.
    I wish Opel-Buick would do a hard top coupe. They are a must in any line up.

    Reply
  2. I just have this odd feeling that this is going to sell like hot cakes in terms of Buick. I personally have been wanting a premium drop top but didn’t to drop $50k on one and I do not like the ride and the bulkiness of the Camero. Chrysler backed out of the game with choosing not to produce a 200C drop top with the new generation. So this leave an almost open market for Buick to swim in. I will have to hold out judgement until I see it in person and official specs are released but this is shaping up really well so far. This will bring in a totally different buyer than the Camero crowd and if it is marketed right it could significantly help to change the brand image of Buick. If they make a high performance version similar to the Regal with a more powerful engine and AWD (something you can’t get in a Camero) that would be just awesome!

    Reply
    1. Right. As it stands, GM’s only other convertibles are the Camaro and Corvette, both of which are RWD, high-strung and rather impractical. And with the Chrysler 200C and Volkswagen Eos on their way out, this thing will basically have no competiton in the U.S. market.

      As for your AWD comment, although it looks like the Delta II architecture *can* support AWD (though maybe not even in this particular application), it’s typically something an automaker would have to take into consideration during the engineering and development phase on a car this compact because it often affects things like floor stampings, materials grades, clearances and mounting points…and not over a year after the car has been on sale. So if GM didn’t develop it with AWD in mind, you can forget about it, unfortunately.

      Reply
  3. This is really good news but why is this taking 18 months if there are virtually no changes from the Opel model? The Cascada has been on the market for a couple of years I think. Another 18 months from now will be almost time for a refresh. I’m hopeful that “within 18 months” is more like 8 months (by next spring).

    Reply
  4. Why is it taking 18 months? Well things like this have many issues we never read or hear about the delay them. Trust me GM wanted this car a while ago but logistics and other issues all pay a key roll into when products hit the market. It is not always as easy as saying lets ship the next 400 units to the US.

    I really like this car but see it challenged heavily by the Camaro. If given the choice the Camaro is hard to pass up for the money.

    Either way GM had nothing to lose here as we are not the primary market here for this car and everyone sold here is just extra sales for Opel.

    Reply
    1. simple answer why it takes so long: different safety regulations in Europe and US.

      Reply
  5. I also do not understand what takes so long. it has already been dealt with for a long time. gm parts at all strange things take a long time. one machine has already been completed and the first presentation of the exhibition, and many can be purchased in a very much later.

    Reply
  6. People are buying 18 months vw eos and GM lost this money. GM vs VAG konsern. GM don t want make money.
    GM needs to sell their products to other manufacturers and customers.Some things have VAG konsernil exemplary and they are doing a good

    Reply
  7. Is the 2.0t going to be used in every Buick model? I think a 1.6t I4 with 205HP and 215-225LB-FT would be much more fitting for the Cascada. Not to mention it’s a car from Opel who uses the 1.6t. GM has over a year to get the 1.6t engine approved for use in The US. The interior should resemble the Regal’s with some more refined materials and an easy-to-use IntelliLink system.

    Reply
  8. Santa Maria! It’s finally going to happen. Like scott3 says a lot goes on behind the scenes that the public isn’t privy to when these things happen. We should all just be very thankful it’s coming and the speculation is over. And now I say I can’t wait. This is going to be a real success I feel.

    Reply
  9. I think this is a great idea. A cool convertible as sort of a halo car. Actual sales numbers will be good enough. I don’t think a lot of people will cross shop this and the camaro convertible. This is for a more mature and classy crowd, though hopefully not too “mature”. I agree that the 1.6T would be a great base engine, then the 2.0T on top of it.

    Reply
  10. I want a convertible bad. But won’t buy a Camaro because it doesn’t fit my style. An ATS convertible would be an instant sell for me.

    Cascada is interesting – but the way GM is these days they’ll cancel and restart this program a half-dozen times before it comes to America, very long in the tooth.

    Reply
  11. Today’s Reatta. Very nice! Can’t wait to see it in person

    Reply
  12. Good luck competing with VW EOS and Volvo C70 I bet this is gonna sell as much as the hardtop G6… Should have put a Chevy badge on it!

    Reply
  13. It should not be tough at all to compete with the grossly overpriced EOS. I have been shocked since the car came out that anyone would pay that much for something wearing a VW badge. As for Volvo, I often forget that the brand even exists.

    Reply
  14. Good.

    Reply
  15. It looks more like a new Ford Thunderbird. Ford should snatch this one away.

    Reply
  16. It looks more like a new Ford Thunderbird. Ford should snatch this one away. Buick should be working on the GNX or Century.

    Reply

Leave a comment

Cancel