Opel Names New Convertible

VIENNA – Adam Opel reveals its new convertible,based on the Astra architecture, will be called the Cascada.

Derived from the Spanish word meaning waterfall, Cascada maintains a tradition at Opel of car names that end in the letter “A.”

Opel also releases partial-view pictures that show the upper half of the new model.

The 185.0-in. (470-cm) long 4-seater will be built at the General Motors Mfg. Poland plant in Gliwice, Poland.

The car is “a contender in the midsize convertible segment,” Opel says in a statement. “In that sense, the Cascada is more closely linked to the prestigious and classic Opel convertibles of the ’50s and ’60s such as the Kapitän and Rekord variants, than to the compact convertible models of the past two decades.”

Currently, Opel has no convertible in its portfolio. Its last open-air model was the Astra TwinTop phased out in 2010.

Cascada already is the third new model name introduced by Opel this year, following Mokka (for an upcoming new small cross/utility vehicle) and Adam (the badge for a new small car).

Cascada sales launch in early 2013.

The convertible will not be displayed at the Paris auto show in late September, where the new Adam will celebrate its world premiere.