The Vauxhall Cascada is almost upon us. The full-size cabriolet, the fourth new Vauxhall to
appear over the course of 12 months, is available to order now for anyone brave or foolish enough to believe a convertible-worthy British summer is on the cards.
The Vauxhall Cascada is a rather strange proposition as it has no clear rivals. It’s larger than a VW Golf Cabriolet, far cheaper than an Audi A5 Cabriolet and lacks the metal folding roof technology of the Renault Megane CC and Peugeot 208 CC. Commercially, it could therefore, be something of a coup for Vauxhall – or a disaster waiting to happen.
The Vauxhall Cascada ticks plenty of boxes. It’s attractive with sweeping, sporty lines and a wide stance, and unlike many cabriolets it looks pretty with the top up or down. It has four full-sized seats that are large enough for most normal-sized adults, provided they’re not concerned by windswept hair or getting insects stuck in their teeth.
The Vauxhall Cascada’s cloth roof has been designed to offer ‘superior’ acoustic and thermal insulation, and promises to be suitable for year-round use. Usefully, it can be folded up and down in 17 seconds even while travelling at speeds of up to 30mph, so there’s less need pull over or delay your fellow motorists at traffic lights in the event of a sudden downpour.
The Cascada will launch with an initial choice of three engines including two petrols — a 140PS (138.1bhp) 1.4-litre turbo petrol that returns 44.8mpg and CO2 of 148g/km and a 1.6-litre SIDI Turbo Ecotec unit that Vauxhall says is the jewel in the range. The latter’s numbers aren’t particularly impressive on paper, though. It’s more powerful than the 1.4-litre model, producing 170PS, but it returns just 39.2mpg and its 168g/km emissions mean it’ll cost you £195 per year to tax instead of the entry level car’s £120.
Diesel lovers will have the option of a 165PS (162bhp) 2.0-litre turbo diesel that does 54.3mpg while emitting 138g/km. Later, Vauxhall will make available a more powerful 195PS 2.0-litre BiTurbo unit that’ll topple 0-60mph in 8.9 seconds and reach 143mph.
So, it’s not lightning quick, but at least it shouldn’t wallow about when you show it a few bends. Vauxhall claims ‘outstanding’ body stiffness and fits the same HiPerStrut suspension used in the insanely quick Insignia VXR as standard.
The Vauxhall Vascada range comes in two trim levels – SE and Elite. Entry-level £23,995 SE car comes with 18-inch alloyss, rear park assist, cruise control, digital radio, daytime running lights and LED tail lamps. Elite models cost an additional £2,100 and add dual zone climate control, sports seats with leather seat facings, rain sensing wipers, a windbreak and automatic lights.
Have a gander at the pictures and specs below.
Specs
| Model | Engine | Price (£) | VAT (£) | Total (£) | OTR (£) | CO2 |
| Cascada SE | 1.4 (140PS) Start / Stop | 19254.17 | 3850.83 | 23105 | 23995 | 148 |
| Cascada SE | 1.6 SIDI (170PS) Automatic | 21229.17 | 4245.83 | 25475 | 26505 | 168 |
| Cascada SE | 2.0 (165PS) Start / Stop | 20516.67 | 4103.33 | 24620 | 25495 | 138 |
| Cascada SE | 2.0 (165PS) Automatic | 21741.67 | 4348.33 | 26090 | 27015 | 163 |
| Cascada Elite | 1.4 (140PS) Start / Stop | 21004.17 | 4200.83 | 25205 | 26095 | 148 |
| Cascada Elite | 1.6 SIDI (170PS) Automatic | 22979.17 | 4595.83 | 27575 | 28605 | 168 |
| Cascada Elite | 2.0 (165PS) Start / Stop | 22266.67 | 4453.33 | 26720 | 27595 | 138 |
| Cascada Elite | 2.0 (165PS) Automatic | 23491.67 | 4698.33 | 28190 | 29115 | 163 |
| Cascada Elite | 2.0 (195PS) Bi-Turbo Start / Stop | 23504.17 | 4700.83 | 28205 | 29080 | 139 |
| Engine | Urban | Extra Urban | Combined | CO2 | Max Speed (mph) | 0-60mph (sec) |
| 1.4 (140PS) Start / Stop | 36.2 (7.8) | 52.3 (5.4) | 44.8 (6.3) | 148 | 129 | 10.2 |
| 1.6 SIDI (170PS) Automatic | 30.4 (9.3) | 47.9 (5.9) | 39.2 (7.2) | 168 | 135 | 9.2 |
| 2.0 (165PS) Start / Stop | 44.8 (6.3) | 61.4 (4.6) | 54.3 (5.2) | 138 | 135 | 9.6 |
| 2.0 (165PS) Automatic | 34.4 (8.2) | 56.5 (5.0) | 45.6 (6.2) | 163 | 132 | 9.6 |
| 2.0 (195PS) Bi-Turbo Start / Stop | 44.8 (6.3) | 61.4 (4.6) | 54.3 (5.2) | 138 | 143 | 8.9 |
Pictures
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