Opel aims to woo Audi buyers with Cascada convertible

[ne_one]

Opel aims to woo Audi buyers with Cascada convertible
Automotive News
January 22, 2013
by Nick Gibbs

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.

Full article at link.

[JBsZ06]

Looks like. A nice new 4 seat convertible....should be a Buick as well

[pic18]

In that picture it looks much smaller than an A5. It's not terribly appealing to me.

[BlackGTP]

That is one sharp ride! Buick - get this over here!!!!!!

[autoplaybook]

How is this a *new* market segment for Opel?

It's based on the Astra J. It replaces the Astra H Twin-Top, a hardtop convertible:





Does Opel's marketing department have the memory of a goldfish? Sorta reminds me of when the Regal was announced with a manual transmission option. Buick's PR people couldn't name the last Buick that had 3 pedals. Does anyone remember the J-body Skyhawk?

[govey]

Stunning. This should be a Buick. Pronto!

[ausrutherford]

Is Opel trying to fool anyone? Though I like the Cascada, the A5 is way better.

[autoplaybook]

Is Opel trying to fool anyone? Though I like the Cascada, the A5 is way better.

The A5 convertible is also 13,000 Euros more expensive than the Opel Cascada.

[germeezy1]

This car should be a US market Buick post haste, and if marketed correctly it could bring about a Buick Regal resurgence with the range topping Regal GS Hard Top Convertible.

[cad1cts]

I'll take one! Heck I don't care if it stays an Opel! That is one FINE convertible! Imo

[Bravada]

1st, branding it as an Opel does not help it overly.

2nd, it indeed is a shame that Audi built a Buick Riviera ahead of Buick and stole all the possible thunder.

3rd, Opel's PR always tries to paint their offerings as rivalling premium brands, all the mainstream brands do that, including Ford and Peugeot.

4th, it's made in Poland and regardless of the above I hope they will be building sh!tloads of them for the sake of Gliwice and the workers in the region!

[RedVee8]

It's a good looking thing in a line of good looking Astra convertibles. I still like the old TS Astra with the soft top.

[377Z]

In that picture it looks much smaller than an A5. It's not terribly appealing to me.

When I read that; it worried me a bit because its proportions are that of a compact. Nevertheless, I still think it would be nice to see here as a Buick; though I wonder if it would sell well enough to justify the effort.

Does anyone remember the J-body Skyhawk?

I do I do!!! Dad had an '89 Skyhawk Coupe, just like this but white with tan interior. Ours was a two pedal, had manual windows, 13" wheels with 80 series whitewalls, and these cool blocky bucket seats. I actually miss that car, very slow, even slower when it lost a coil pack and ran on 2 cylinders, but it was fun, light, and maneuverable.

[All Star]

Needs to be a Buick....along with the Adam.

[avinarf]

ANOTHER stunning Opel !