These are the first official pictures of Opel's replacement for the Astra cabriolet, the new Cascada.
With this being the fourth new model that Opel has launched this year (following on from the Ampera, Mokka and Adam), clearly GM thinks that the way out of the firm's current cash crisis is to keep hitting us with more and more new models.
And the Cascada is certainly rather gorgeous,with some seriously sexy styling thanks in part to a folding fabric roof that doesn't need a butt like Jennifer Lopez' to store it when folded. Opel seems to be retreating from the weight and complication of folding steel hard tops and it's a move we applaud.
It looks a lot like an Astra, but with a 70mm longer wheelbase than the outgoing Astra TwinTop, it's leaner and sleeker, and should be a bit more roomy inside too. That roof can be raised or lowered in just 17 seconds, and at speeds of up to 48kmh. Plus, when it's down, it only robs 70-litres from the 350-litre boot, so the Cascada remains reasonably practical.
Opel's existing range of 1.4 petrol turbo and 2.0 turbo diesel engines will be available, and the Cascada will be the debut vehicle for a new 1.6 petrol turbo with 168bhp, fitted at first only with a six-speed automatic gearbox.
While Opel claims a 43% improvement in torsional stiffness over the old Astra cabrio, prices will the stiffer too, with the Cascada tilting at the likes of the Audi A5 convertible and BMW 3 Series carbio. Don't expect much change from €40k, if any.
"The midsize cabriolet segment is only occupied by very high-priced cars from premium manufacturers," commented Thomas Sedran, Deputy Chairman of Opel. "With the Cascada, Opel offers all the typical features and premium qualities of a midsize convertible, but at an affordable price."
One thing though; the name. Cascada? Sounds like a dodgy 80s perfume...
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