Opel aims to woo Audi buyers with Cascada convertible
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Opel/Vauxhall's new mid-sized convertible will be priced 10,000 euros lower than potential rivals when it goes on sale in April.
The Cascada is the latest push into new product segments for the money-losing General Motors Co. brand and follows the launches of the Adam minicar and Mokka small SUV.
With the two-door four-seat Cascada, which debuts at the Geneva auto show in March, Opel hopes to attract buyers looking for a cheaper alternative to premium convertibles. The Cascada will start at 25,945 euros in Germany, compared with 39,000 euros for the entry Audi A5 convertible, the car Opel says is its closest rival.
The 4700mm (185-inch) long Cascada is slightly longer the than the Audi. Like the A5 convertible, the Cascada has a folding softtop roof. Opel says the roof that can be opened in 17 seconds at speeds up to 50kph (30 mph).
The car will be offered with Opel's new 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine, along with a 1.4-liter gasoline unit and two 2.0-liter diesel engines, the more powerful of which uses twin turbochargers to make 195hp. Both diesels and the 1.4-liter gasoline unit come with start-stop for improved fuel economy. The lower powered diesel is the most fuel efficient in the Cascada lineup with CO2 emissions starting at 138g/km.
The Cascada – Spanish for waterfall – is based on a mix of the Astra's and Insignia's platforms and uses the high-performance Insignia OPC's HiPerStrut front suspension system that Opel claims will give added traction and driving pleasure.
Optional equipment includes adaptive FlexRide chassis for 980 euros and the Opel Eye front camera (800 euros) with a lane departure warning system.
The Cascada replaces the smaller Astra TwinTop with its folding metal roof that was discontinued in 2010.
You can reach Nick Gibbs at nick.gibbs@btinternet.com.
