QOTD: What Would You Do With The Cascada?
The Opel/Vauxhall Cascada got a surprisingly warm reception on TTAC, considering that it’s a ragtop with humble origins based on the Delta II platform (thank you, readers, for correcting my mistake).
The internet seems to think that its importation as a Buick is pretty much a done deal, but we can have a thought exercise where you get to dictate the terms of its introduction.
I’d like to sell this car as a Riviera, since it has a nicer ring to it than “Regal Convertible”, and it’s not really a Regal either (Delta vs. Epsilon platform). Even though it shares its underpinnings with the Verano, a separate nameplate might even be a bit of a halo car for Buick. Not everyone wants a Camaro when choosing a ragtop. This is a great alternative.
Put the Verano Turbo’s 250 horsepower Ecotec in there and you’ve got a pretty credible number to throw out in advertisements and enough “pep” to impress customers on test drives. The exterior styling and interior materials, at least from the initial press shots, look like they were done right from the start.
Apparently, a couple version was also planned, but budget constraints have put it on ice. Too bad. That would have made a great Cruze Coupe. What would you do? Different name? Different powertrain? Different brand?
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The legacy names appeal only to GM fanboys. Most consumers couldn't care less about all of this wonderful GM nostalgia. I wouldn't call it a Riviera because that was a large car. But whatever they call it is less important than is maintaining some consistency going forward; the next version of the car should be given the same nameplate as this one, come hell or high water. Changing nameplates with every model cycle only confuses people.
Simple. SKY-lark. Right there in the title. Hopefully a convertible with that name will be easy enough for the general public to swallow. Riviera should still be saved for the elusive "halo car" that Buick so desperately needs to produce... Also: Turbo or bust.
Cant resist throwing a lighthearted jab at all the typos. Derek, a couple version of what is planned? And Apagtth, what are the two cadillacs offered by Chevy? On topic: You are all wrong. Of course it will be called a Varano Convertible. Why would you think GM named the Verano (Summer in Spanish) as such to begin with? The convertible was in the cards all along. Like many have said, I hope GM will not Buickify this beautiful car. When the Camaro and Corvette can get away with not having a corporate grille, why cant Buick. Just please switch the badges and call it a day.
I think of the last generation of Skylark, with it's goofy appearance and lackluster-everything attitude, and feel that would be a bad choice. The Reatta was a marketing disaster, so can't go with that. This car is too small to be called a Riviera, so let's wait to use that name on a Cadillac Ciel-based Buick vehicle *drools*. Might have to be called the Regal Cabrio/Coupe. Or perhaps, SOMERSET.