[EJD1984]

First Drive: 2014 Opel Cascada [Review]
Left Lane News
By Ronan Glon
Wednesday, Oct 22nd, 2014

What is it?
The Cascada is noticeably bigger than its compact predecessor. It stretches 184 inches long, 72 inches wide and 58 inches tall, dimensions that make it about the same size as the Verano. It's rather portly at 3,750 pounds in its lightest configuration - for the sake of comparison the Verano tips the scale at 3,300 pounds.

Life Aboard
The center console, the dashboard and the instrument cluster were all carried over from the Golf-fighting Astra hatchback with only minor modifications as far as aesthetics go. However, the Cascada serves as Opel's de facto flagship and the company made a conscious effort to ensure the interior reflects the car's positioning.

On the Road
Quiet and smooth on all road surfaces, the Cascada is a refined all-arounder that is one of the best topless daily drivers out there. The transmission shifts with an exceptional smoothness when left in drive and the car is stable enough on the highway to make 80 mph feel like 50.

Leftlane's Bottom Line
There are plenty of sun-worshippers out there who want to go topless without spending big bucks or getting a loud engine with a large displacement.

In that regard the Cascada ticks many of the right boxes. It certainly isn't a sports car but it provides a satisfying, wind-in-your-hair driving experience while remaining practical enough to use on a daily basis.

*Full Article at Link

 

[ausrutherford]

Ill just leave this here....

Europe Jan to June 2014:

BMW 4-Series - 24,584
Porsche 911 - 7,427
Audi TT - 6,644 (Before the all new model!!!!)
BMW 2-Series - 5,869
Opel/Vaux Cascada - 4,183


Another Opel "Success" story....

 

[CarFreak77]

Ill just leave this here....

Europe Jan to June 2014:

BMW 4-Series - 24,584
Porsche 911 - 7,427
Audi TT - 6,644 (Before the all new model!!!!)
BMW 2-Series - 5,869
Opel/Vaux Cascada - 4,183


Another Opel "Success" story....

If the same car had Saab badge, they would sell a few thousand more of those nice convertibles. European customers are funny. I don't get it. The worse thing is GM does not get it at all.

BTW.

I wanted to have a real-life look at Cascada. It appeared that 2 out of 3 biggest Opel dealers don't offer their Halo-car that is supposed to draw customers to Opel showrooms.

 

[63impala]

The Cascada is noticeably bigger than its compact predecessor. It stretches 184 inches long, 72 inches wide and 58 inches tall, dimensions that make it about the same size as the Verano. It's rather portly at 3,750 pounds in its lightest configuration - for the sake of comparison the Verano tips the scale at 3,300 pounds./I]

If this is the car that becomes the Regal's companion, why would we want something noticeably smaller than the Regal to be a Regal? Skylark works for me, but don't worry...if it comes here they'll either call it a Verano or give it some other name.

 

[Bravada]

Yay for Poland-made! It seems quite a few sold here (even if it indeed is a rare guest on showroom floors), and I must say it looks really good. And yes, this segment should be covered by Saab.

 

[91fairladyZ]

Needs the 2.0l turba bad. Also B&W camera? really?

 

[61BelAir]

The Cascada is a great looking car. They need to work on that weight though, 3750 is a chunky monkey!

 

[CarFreak77]

Yay for Poland-made!

When it comes stateside as Buick, it will be cheaper there than in dealership next to it's Polish factory. Yay for European Union! :fall:

And I still have sentiment for 9-3 vert. Maybe a little dated, but choosing between Saab and new Cascada. Tough choice.

 

[rsbaker]

If this is the car that becomes the Regal's companion, why would we want something noticeably smaller than the Regal to be a Regal? Skylark works for me, but don't worry...if it comes here they'll either call it a Verano or give it some other name.

The Cascada is based on and Astra not and Insignia so it was never going to be as big as a Regal. but it is my understanding that it is slightly longer than Astra/Verano on which it is based.

I like the Skylark name too! My Uncle gave me his 1964 Buick Skylark Convertible when I graduated from Highschool in "83. It was black with red interior. Sadly it needed a lot of work and as a college kid I had zero money for fixing up a car.

 

[91fairladyZ]

When it comes stateside as Buick, it will be cheaper there than in dealership next to it's Polish factory. Yay for European Union! :fall:

And I still have sentiment for 9-3 vert. Maybe a little dated, but choosing between Saab and new Cascada. Tough choice.

A mint 9-3 Aero would be my choice.

 

[Ruperts Trooper]

Ill just leave this here....

Europe Jan to June 2014:

BMW 4-Series - 24,584
Porsche 911 - 7,427
Audi TT - 6,644 (Before the all new model!!!!)
BMW 2-Series - 5,869
Opel/Vaux Cascada - 4,183


Another Opel "Success" story....

Comparing premium sector against a mainstream model wiil always show that sort of pattern for convertibles in Europe.

3/4 of those you list aren't even in the same ballpark as far as price goes.

 

[Toto]

The Cascada is based on and Astra not and Insignia so it was never going to be as big as a Regal. but it is my understanding that it is slightly longer than Astra/Verano on which it is based.

Yes, Cascada and Astra GTC using a longer and wider version of the Astra/Verano.

 

[ctdriver]

With Audi, Mercedes and BMW convertibles appealing to a more monied crowd, a premium convertible like the Buick Cascada with a lower pricetag should do very well in the United States. VW, and Chrysler have killed their convertibles, so consumers have few places to turn. This may not be a big seller, but it will be a great image car for Buick and GM. Right now all GM has is the Corvette or Camaro.

 

[Dequindre]

I think it could do well in the US. It won't sell in volume numbers, but the convertible market is horribly under served at the moment.

 

[johnstarnes]

I'm curious as to how they'd "Buickize" it for sale here.

 

[1958carnut]

Wow, that curb weight. It's a porker alright. I'm with johnstarnes above as to the way it will become a Buick other than the obvious waterfall grille. Quiet tuning and a convertible--- interesting combination.

 

[SKH]

Wow, that curb weight. It's a porker alright. I'm with johnstarnes above as to the way it will become a Buick other than the obvious waterfall grille. Quiet tuning and a convertible--- interesting combination.

Not that the Cascada couldn't stand to lose some lbs, but the Audi A5 (admittedly with AWD which obviously adds weight) isn't a feather weight either. Not direct competitors, but they are very close in size.

2014 Audi A5 - Features & Specs 2.0T Premium quattro Convertible (2.0L 4-cyl. Turbo AWD 8-speed Automatic

Exterior Measurements
WIDTH 6 ft. 1 in. (73 in.) HEIGHT 4 ft. 6.4 in. (54.4 in.)
LENGTH 15 ft. 2.1 in. (182.1 in.) FRONT TRACK 5 ft. 2.6 in. (62.6 in.)
REAR TRACK 5 ft. 2.1 in. (62.1 in.) WHEEL BASE 9 ft. 0.3 in. (108.3 in.)

Weights and Capacities
EPA INTERIOR VOLUME 93.3 cu.ft. DRAG COEFFICIENT 0.34 Cd
CURB WEIGHT 4045 lbs. CARGO CAPACITY, ALL SEATS IN PLACE 10.2 cu.ft.

DriveTrain
DRIVE TYPE All wheel drive TRANSMISSION 8-speed shiftable automatic

Engine & Performance
BASE ENGINE SIZE 2.0 L CAM TYPE Double overhead cam (DOHC)
CYLINDERS Inline 4 VALVES 16



Add a 2.0L Turbo to the Buick version of the Cascada (and call it 3900-4000lbs or so) and if it's priced right they should be able to shift a decent amount. I guess AWD would have to wait until the next gen. platform? I actually think a Buick grille would improve the front which is a tad underwhelming, and I wonder if the Buick version will show up at the Detroit, Chicago or NY auto show?

 

[autoplaybook]

Ill just leave this here....

Europe Jan to June 2014:

BMW 4-Series - 24,584
Porsche 911 - 7,427
Audi TT - 6,644 (Before the all new model!!!!)
BMW 2-Series - 5,869
Opel/Vaux Cascada - 4,183


Another Opel "Success" story....

Nice try. Now post convertible sales for the 4, 911, TT, and 2. Because those totals include coupes, don't they?

 

[zl-1]

Ill just leave this here....

Europe Jan to June 2014:

BMW 4-Series - 24,584
Porsche 911 - 7,427
Audi TT - 6,644 (Before the all new model!!!!)
BMW 2-Series - 5,869
Opel/Vaux Cascada - 4,183


Another Opel "Success" story....

Apples to oranges comparison.

 

[eaton53]

Definitely gonna test drive one if it ever gets here.

I'm with johnstarnes above as to the way it will become a Buick other than the obvious waterfall grille.

Add a 2.0L Turbo to the Buick version of the Cascada (and call it 3900-4000lbs or so) and if it's priced right they should be able to shift a decent amount. I guess AWD would have to wait until the next gen. platform?

Change the grille & badges and let's go. Got no problem with it as is.
Forget about the Germans, they're too expensive... just make a better Sebring and keep the price reasonable.