Opel Cascada: mid-size convertible revealed
The Opel Cascada mid-size convertible has been revealed ahead of its European launch at the beginning of 2013.
Rising to the top of the German manufacturer’s line-up, the Cascada combines elegant styling with a classy four-seat cabin and a series of advanced technologies.
At 4697mm long and 1840mm wide, the Opel Cascada is almost identical in length to the (likely more expensive) Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet and 54mm wider, promising generous interior space for four occupants.
The Cascada’s soft-top roof (available in three colours) can be opened at the touch of a button at vehicle speeds up to 50km/h in 17 seconds. Boot space decreases from 350 litres to 280 litres with the roof stored, but the 50:50 split rear seats can also be electrically folded to open up a longer and more accommodating load space.
Four turbocharged powertrain options will be offered initially: three petrol and one diesel. Two tunes of a 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol – producing 88kW/220Nm and 103kW/220Nm – are teamed with a six-speed manual transmission at the budget end of the range, while a 125kW/280Nm 1.6-litre unit offers more performance when teamed with either the manual or the optional six-speed automatic.
The sole diesel is a 2.0-litre engine that generates 121kW of power and 380Nm of torque. Opel says more powerful petrol and diesel engines will be added to the line-up further down the track.
The body of the Opel Cascada is 43 per cent stiffer than the brand’s previous-generation cabriolet, the Astra TwinTop, and works in tandem with the HiPerStrut suspension layout that was originally developed for the Insignia OPC performance sedan.
The Cascada also integrates a fully adaptive chassis control system, as well as a suite of high-tech safety and convenience features, including adaptive headlights, rear-view camera, blind spot warning, and the second-generation Opel Eye forward-facing camera with traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning, following distance indication and forward collision alert.
Full prices and specifications will be revealed closer to the launch of the Opel Cascada in early 2013.
Opel Australia says it likes the look of the Cascada and is considering adding it to the local line-up, but has made no firm decision on its introduction at this stage.
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