Vauxhall’s gorgeous new Cascada convertible has been revealed in pictures for the first time. The firm has been teasing the four-seater drop-top what seems like ages now and it has finally shown the thing off in all its considerable glory.
The Cascada, the company’s first foray into the full-size convertible segment, is a four-seater vehicle measuring nearly 4.7 metres in length, which is roughly the same length as an Insignia. Unlike its saloon cousin, however, the Cascada has an electrically-folding fabric hood for a roof.
The ragtop packs a polyester fleece layer between two outer and inner linings, which Vauxhall says will provide superior acoustic and thermal insulation – ideal for rain-sodden nations such as ours where you’re more likely to cruise with the roof up. The hood, which looks surprisngly good when deployed, can be opened in 17 seconds at speeds of up to 30mph using a switch on the inside or a button on the key fob.
The Cascada will be available with a choice of three engines, the pick of which is likely to be a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol unit that chucks out 170PS (168bhp) and 280NM of torque. The lump, which is the first of Vauxhall’s MGE (Mid-Size Gasoline Engine) family, will be joined by the 2.0 CDTi 165PS diesel engine found in the Insignia and Zafira Sports Tourer, and an entry-level 1.4-litre turbocharged unit producing 140PS (138bhp) and up to 220Nm.
Whichever engine you pick, the Cascada should offer fairly spirited performance, although no firm numbers have been issued. Its accompanying HiPerStrut suspension should help. This kit, which featured on the Vauxhall Astra VXR is designed to keep damping and steering functions as separate as possible, allowing you to put the power down without the steering wheel being ripped from your grasp.
On paper, it should ride better than Vauxhall’s previous open top car. Torsionally, it is 43 per cent stiffer and 10 per more resistant to bending forces than the Vauxhall Astra Twin Top, so it should be less prone to flexing as it goes through corners or passes over potholed roads.
“Cascada is set to change people’s perception of Vauxhall once again,” commented Duncan Aldred, Vauxhall’s 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.”
That price has yet to be confirmed but while we wait check out some photos below.
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