Vauxhall is hoping to offer customer a lower-priced alternative to premium-badge convertibles with the new Cascada.

Available from march 2013, the Cascada is a four-seater soft-top, and similar in size to the Audi A5.

The Cascada will see Vauxhall's new 170bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine, which produces 207lb-ft of torque, make its debut among the four-engine line-up.

There will be a high-quality fabric roof, with superior acoustic and thermal insulation thanks to a special layer of polyester fleece between the outer and inner linings. It can be opened in 17 seconds at speeds up to 30mph by an interior switch, or via a button on the key fob.

Cascada’s has a body which is torsionally 43% stiffer than Vauxhall’s last open-topped car, the Astra Twin Top. It will also use the HiPerStrut front suspension which was initially used on the 325bhp Insignia VXR.




" Cascada is set to change people’s perception of Vauxhall once again," said Duncan Aldred, Vauxhall chairman and managing director.

"The full-size convertible sector tends only to be occupied by very high-priced cars from premium manufacturers. With Cascada, we’re offering customers high levels of equipment, technology and luxury but at an affordable price."



The Cascada will launch with a choice of petrol and diesel engines, including the 165bhp 2.0 CDTi found in the Zafira Tourer, and Insignia, with more powerful engines to come in due course.

It will include optional AFL+ (Adaptive Forward Lighting) with up to 11 automatic lighting functions; front camera system, including traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning, following distance indication and forward collision alert; rear-view camera; heated steering wheel; hill start assist; side blind spot alert.

includes options like: AFL+ (Adaptive Forward Lighting) with up to 11 automatic lighting functions; Front Camera System, including Traffic Sign Recognition, Lane Departure Warning, Following Distance Indication and Forward Collision Alert; rear-view camera; heated steering wheel; Hill Start Assist; Side Blind Spot Alert.



An 'easy entry' system allows access to the rear seats, and electric seat belt presenters make securing front occupants a simple process.

With a minimum load volume of 280 litres with the roof down, and up to 350 litres roof up, the Cascada also proved reasonably practical for a convertible. In addition, the rear seats benefit from Vauxhall’s FlexFold system, which electrically releases and folds down the 50:50 split rear seats, allowing longer objects to be carried with ease.

Cascada pricing will be announced in line with order banks opening at the start of next year. First UK deliveries will be from March 2013.
 

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