The convertible version of the Opel Astra has been spied testing over the last few months and has now officially been unveiled as the Opel Cascada.
Set to launch in Europe in early 2013, the Cascada is termed as a mid-size convertible, but it’s still larger than the Audi A5 or BMW 3 Series convertibles. At 4 697 mm long and 1 840 mm wide, the Cascada features four usable seats and is likely to be the cheapest offering in its segment.
Unlike the previous Opel Astra Twin-Top that had a folding hard-top roof, the new Opel Cascada makes use of a fabric item, which folds up or down in 17 seconds at speeds of up to 50 km/h and can also be operated remotely using the car’s key.
The Opel Cascada is built on the Astra’s chassis and makes use of its ‘HiPer Strut’ front suspension and a compound crank beam rear axle. Opel’s FlexRide adaptive suspension is also available for the Cascada, which allows the driver to switch between three suspension modes: Standard, Tour and Sport.
The likely engine line-up includes a new EcoTec 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol with 125 kW and 280 Nm of torque, a 1.4-litre petrol with 100 kW and a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel that thumps out 122 kW and 380 Nm of torque. The 1.6-litre may also be available in slightly higher and/or lower power outputs and will be available exclusively with a 6-speed automatic, while the other engines are available in either manual or auto.
The Cascada will be available in ten colours, but customers will need to choose from one of the three contrasting colours for the soft top.
