Vauxhall reveals new Cascada 17 | 10 | 2012
VAUXHALL HAS RELEASED the first details and photographs of its all-new four-seater Cascada convertible which will enter Scottish showrooms next March (see more official photos of the all-new Vauxhall Cascada).
The new Cascada will end Vauxhall's current new-model offensive which also sees the Mokka B-segment SUV and Adam city car enter the market.
The Cascada, at 4.7m long, is fitted with a fabric folding roof which can be specified in one of three colours, which can be coordinated with one of 10 body colours.
The roof can be opened and closed in 17secs at speeds of up to 30mph, and is controlled using an interior button or a key fob.
At 4626mm, it's 71mm longer than an Audi A5 Cabriolet in length, and the Vauxhall is set to significantly undercut the opposition in terms of prices.
It's expected the Cascada will start at around £25,000, well shy of the Audi's £29,455.
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The Cascada's basic interior design is recognisable from the Insignia, but ifeatures higher quality materials and more premium options, including Nappa-leather trimmed seats.
There will be a choice of engines at launch, including a totally new 168bhp 1.6-litre turbo petrol. The range will also include an entry 138bhp 1.4-litre turbo and 163bhp 2.0-litre diesel. Other more powerful versions of both powertrains will be added after the launch.
"Cascada is set to change people’s perception of Vauxhall once again," Duncan Aldred, Vauxhall’s chairman and managing director, said.
"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."
In addition to accommodating four adults, the Cascada has a boot with a minimum load volume of 280 litres with the roof down: that increases to 350 litres roof up.
Cleverly, the rear seats have Vauxhall’s FlexFold system, which electrically releases and folds down the 50:50 split rear seats to allow longer objects to be carried.
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FlexRide, Vauxhall’s adaptive chassis control system, is also available across the range, and there will be a comprehensive choice of wheels available, ranging from 18in to 20in diameter.
The Cascada will also offer all Vauxhall's latest technology: 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 are all on the option list.
Cascada owners will also benefit from Lifetime Warranty, lasting the life of the car or up to 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Vauxhall dealers across Scotland will open their order books for the new Cascada in January, with first deliveries in March. Prices will be confirmed at the start of 2013.
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Jim McGill