Up Close And Personal With The Verano 'Vert

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

The Geneva Auto Show gave us our first look at the Opel Cascada, aka the future Buick Verano Convertible. The Cascada is a four-seat, front-drive convertible in the vein of the Audi A5, the kind of car enthusiasts turn their noses up at, but regular consumers tend to gravitate towards. Besides, something has to compete with the Chrysler 200 Convertible.




Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Motormouth Motormouth on Mar 08, 2013

    This will kick the 200 into the cheap seats. Built on the Delta II platform (as seen in the Euro Astra, amongst others), it'll drive fairly well and there is quite a decent amount of trunk space - the roof folds into a dedicated area so as not to compromise the rear literage. Interestingly, the rear seats also fold forward - which is odd, as in other drop tops the bench is used to make the chassis more rigid. Anyway, as long as the engine lineup offers some power (the downfall of the PSA and Renault convertibles, which were quite heavy), it'll be a good soft top choice, me thinks.

  • Geozinger Geozinger on Mar 08, 2013

    I'm not really the market for this kind of car, but this signals to me that GM will keep Opel alive, or at a minimum harmonize offerings between Opel and Buick, at least in North America. Possibly worldwide if GM can move quickly enough. Here in NA, particularly the US, we could use another choice in soft top driving. I don't see the 200 Convertible making it another generation. It's too bad, really. There are a few trim levels of the 200 Convert that are pretty attractive. The amusing issue to me is that I'm getting used to seeing Opels with Buick grilles on them, so much that when I see an actual Opel I wonder where the Tri-Shield is on the grille...

    • Motormouth Motormouth on Mar 08, 2013

      The real blasphemy is that the 200 is being offered as the Lancia Flavia. If the Castrato (sorry, Castrada) is a signal of intent that GM plans to make a proper go of Opel in Europe, the cynical rebadging of the 200 as an unworthy Lancia product (joining the Chrysler-sourced Ypsilon, Delta and Thema - although the 300C is easily the best of this bunch) could mean the end is in sight for that grand old Italian marque.

  • Dartdude The bottom line is that in the new America coming the elites don't want you and me to own cars. They are going to make building cars so expensive that the will only be for the very rich and connected. You will eat bugs and ride the bus and live in a 500sq-ft. apartment and like it. HUD wants to quit giving federal for any development for single family homes and don't be surprised that FHA aren't going to give loans for single family homes in the very near future.
  • Ravenuer The rear view of the Eldo coupe makes it look fat!
  • FreedMike This is before Cadillac styling went full scale nutty...and not particularly attractive, in my opinion.
  • JTiberius1701 Middle of April here in NE Ohio. And that can still be shaky. Also on my Fiesta ST, I use Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires for the winter and Bridgestone Potenza for my summer tires. No issues at all.
  • TCowner We've had a 64.5 Mustang in the family for the past 40 years. It is all original, Rangoon Red coupe with 289 (one of the first instead of the 260), Rally Pac, 4-speed, factory air, every option. Always gets smiles and thumbs ups.
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