Opel which use to serve the masses with their standard, prestigious and rare midsize, four-seat soft-top convertibles from the fifties and sixties, like the Kapitan and the Rekord. They have once again come up with a new Variant, new technology, the all new Opel Cascada.
The 2013 Opel/Vauxhall Cascada due to be launched in early 2013, is a classy 4-seater with a extended silhouette, and the high quality soft top, leaves a mark on the minds of people, who are avid Opel enthusiaist. This Cascada is a midsize convertible model, which offers a class apart luxury and standard technologies, which makes it the top-of-the-level model for Opel.
Thomas Sedran, Deputy Chairman of Adam Opel Management Board: “The midsize cabriolet segment is only occupied by very high-priced cars from premium manufacturers. With the Cascada, Opel offers all the typical features and premium qualities of a midsize convertible, but at an affordable price. The Cascada rounds off Opel’s product offensive: in 2012 and 2013, we’re enhancing our portfolio and entering all-new segments, with the electric Ampera, the small SUV Mokka, the fashionable, urban ADAM, and now this midsize convertible.”
“Performance of the new 2013 Opel/ Vauxhall Cascada” :
So now lets take a stroll down the new model, beginning with the performance, we see that, there is this broad engine line up available in the convertible.
The 1.4 gasoline Turbo, mated to a manual 6-speed transmission and is available in in two versions of 88 kW/120 hp and 103 kW/140 hp, where both deliver a torque up to 220 Nm.
On the Diesel Side, we get to see, the 2.0 CDTI with 121 kW/165 hp mated either to a manual or an automatic 6-speed transmission, which delivers up to 380 Nm when its overboost is active.
The main highlight is the 1.6 SIDI Turbo ECOTEC gasoline engine, a part of the fully new generation engine which will make its way to the early debut in 2013, developed to offer a smooth ride and great fuel efficiency, which will deliver 125 kW/170 hp, between 1,650 and 3,200 rpm – and 280 Nm, and this engine will be either available with manual and automatic 6-speed transmissions. The very new low friction 6-speed automatic transmission in the Opel Cascada features an Active Select function mode, which allows manual shifting for a more sporty driving experience. And this should be noted that more powerful engine’s are on its way, later ahead.
“Exterior” :
When the soft top goes down the Opel Cascada features a neat profile with no roof cover or visible rollover protection, that disturbs the Silhouette, the end of the sof top goes right into the lap of the rearlights therefore creating a perfect look for the convertible, the waistline is highlightend by the chrome strip that sweeps around the cockpit elegantly and marking the boundary between roof and body panel.
Malcolm Ward, Director Exterior Design, says, “Most convertibles look good with the top down, but many seem clumsy with their roof up. Thanks to its high-quality, aerodynamically clean soft top with a perfect, seamless profile, the Opel Cascada also cuts a fine figure when closed.”
On the front you see, the deepened front grille with bold chrome touches, the fog lights are carried out in two shark fin elements. The lights use the LED technology, and the daytime running lights in the headlamps and the rear lights incorporate the Opel-typical wing signature, and at the rear, LED modules are diffused to give a solid and strong light signal, and you also see the chrome strip linking between the light unit set into the boot lid.
Other feature for the new Opel Cascada’s exterior, is that there are 3 Soft top colours, which will be available at launch, and those can be coordinated with 10 diffrent body colours.
And there is this electro-hydraulic mechanism activated via a switch located between the front seats, which opens the roof in 17 seconds at a driving speed of up to 50 km/h.
The wheelbase of the 2013 Opel Cascada is 71 mm longer, the front tread 56 mm and the rear tread 70 mm wider. The Chasis technology features a standard of HiPerStrut (High Performance Strut) which provides highest traction and proper cornering decision.The Opel Cascada can be equipped with 17″ to 20″ wheels and the brake discs have sizes of up to 326 mm in front and 325 mm in rear.
“Interiors” :
Taking a look inside the new 2013 Opel Cascada, we see that, inside it is indeed a piece of Luxury! The cockpit offers a striking and sporty design structure, and the instrumental panel showcases the stitches on the soft wrapped surfaces, which have been flown into the doors. All seats are offered with high quality fabrics and leathers. The up-level AGR(Aktion Gesunder Rucken- Campaign for Healthier Backs) certified seats which are wrapped in rich soft Nappa Leather.
The Storage capacity of the new 2013 Opel Cascada, will gather a lot of attention, and thats for sure, because large storage spaces have been placed around the driver, like in the door, in and under the instrument panel and, thanks to a standard Electric Park Brake, in the center console, excatly where you need storage space the most. The Minimum load volume with an open roof is 280 liters, and up to 350 liters are available when the soft top is closed. And to increase the load volume or transport long objects, the 2013 Opel Cascada benefits from the FlexFold system that electrically releases and folds down the 50:50 split rear seat back rests, which makes it a stand alone feature, a feature that cannot be offered in hard-top cabriolets.
Other Features on the 2013 Opel/Vauxhall Cascada:
The Cascada sports a lot of features other than just being a convertible, likewise, it includes, AFL(Adaptive Forward Lighting) a system with up to 11 automatic functions, then the 2nd generation Opel Eye front camera with its new, extended functionalities like-Traffic Sign Recognition and Lane Departure Warning, new Following Distance Indication and Forward Collision Alert. A Rear-View camera that and an Advanced Park Assist that eases parking issues, an ultra-sonic based Side Blind Spot Alert, ergonomic front seats, a heated steering wheel, and Hill Start Assist.
The 2013 Opel Cascada has an extremely rigid passenger cell, which mainly has been fabricated from high strength steel that would help it to survive all possible crashes, the doors have a diagonally mounted ultra-high strength steel beams and beltline reinforcements. The A-pillars team up the windscreen which are in press hardened steel, and if in case the vehicle roll overs, the pyrotechnically activated spring loaded with high-strength bars automatically deploy behind the rear seats and these pop-ups are also triggered during other severe impacts , when airbags are deployed, in order to prepare the vehicle for possible secondary impacts, and the front seats, both benefit from two-way active headrests and double seat belt pre-tensioners and even the two rear seats have seat belt pre-tensioners.
Pricing details aren’t available as of now, but it will be soon updated.
With this we can definately come to a conclusion that this car would definetely be a strong contender amongst its competitiors, it would be seriously worth it if you were to be Buying this Cabrio! Not all convertibles offers us with so much of perquisites, well now have a look at the pictures and enjoy them, untill then stay tuned in, and we will soon post all new updates.
