!NEW! 2017 Buick Cascada Sport Touring Makes Scenic Drives Even More Captivating

New special edition convertible revealed during thousand-mile road rally

2017 Buick Cascada Sport Touring - Unique paint color, new wheel design, and other custom content

Buick Cascada convertible delivers the freedom of open-air motoring through a driving experience with unexpected luxuries such as UV-reflective leather-appointed seats and a quiet, triple-insulated top. The Cascada’s attainable luxury will now include the reward of a uniquely bold style statement with an all-new Sport Touring edition.

In the 2017 Buick Cascada Sport Touring, customers will have the chance to make an even more stylish statement with a unique paint color, new wheel design, and other custom content that enhances the Cascada’s balanced proportions.

2017 Buick Cascada Sport Touring - True Blue Metallic color

Road-trippers participating in the fifth annual Mille Mitten rally got a first look at the Cascada ST this past weekend on a 1,000-mile drive through the forests and lakefronts of northern Michigan. The Cascada was designed with road rally-like adventures and road trips in mind, and its convertible top retracts in 17 seconds at speeds up to 31 miles per hour so customers can breathe in every second of sunshine and scenery.

2017 Buick Cascada Sport Touring - Five-spoke, 20-inch wheels

The 2017 Cascada ST is only available in True Blue Metallic, a paint color not offered on other Cascada models. The unique paint is complemented by a black cloth top that includes three layers of fabric structure for signature Buick quietness and insulation. Five-spoke, 20-inch wheels are new for the Cascada ST, as are Black Magic interior trim components, sport pedals and a flat-bottom sport steering wheel.

2017 Buick Cascada Sport Touring - Black Magic interior trim components and a flat-bottom sport steering wheel.

2017 Buick Cascada Sport Touring will be priced at $37,885

When it arrives at dealers this fall, the Cascada Sport Touring will be priced at $37,885 including destination. Priced and packaged for a simple buying experience, it features all the content offered on other Cascada models.

“The Mille Mitten celebrates the unique combination of features Michigan has to offer, from the deep blue of the Great Lakes to stunning star-filled nights deep in the forest,” said Ben Bator, Mille Mitten founder. “The Cascada is the perfect companion for this memorable experience, and the new Sport Touring builds off the same color palette that makes nature so inspiring.”

Customer response to the Cascada has been strong since launch, with 2016 sales outpacing expectations. Through the first half of the year, Cascada has outsold the Audi A3 convertible and Audi A5 convertible combined. Cascada offers a base price lower than the A3, but with space on par with the A5.

Cascada continues Buick’s safety leadership with a five-star crash test rating from NHTSA. Buick was the first brand to receive five-star ratings for every model in the lineup.

!NEW! Rallye Hessen-Thüringen: Opel Showcases its Rich Cabriolet Heritage

·         From 8/25 hp to Cascada: Lineup of convertibles spans 100 years of company history

·         Prominent contender: Opel VP Sales Peter Küspert in Super 6 Gläser cabriolet

·         Fast combination: Racing ace Joachim Winkelhock with Rekord C Deutsch cabriolet

Large convertible tradition: Opel shows on the Rallye Hessen-Thüringen open-air models from 100 years of company history.

The first Opel in 1899 – the Patent Motor Car “System Lutzmann” – was a convertible. While an open body was standard during the early days of automotive engineering, it later came to signify luxury and a chic lifestyle. At this year’s 22nd ADAC Opel Classic Hessen-Thüringen rallye, five classic Opel cabriolets and one current convertible model give an overview of the evolution of open-air driving. Opel Vice President Sales and Aftersales Peter Christian Küspert is participating in a strikingly beautiful Super 6 Gläser Cabriolet. The classic car rallye takes place from May 26 – 28 through the romantic Werratal region that straddles the former East-West German border. Classic and historic automobile and motorcycle owners have already been exploring the most beautiful areas in Hessen and Thuringia since 1995. The center of operations for the rallye that covers 350 kilometers is Hessen-Hotelpark Hohenroda.

History and modernity: Sportiness anno 1920 exudes the Opel 8/25 PS. Opel Cascada that accompanies the classic models during the historic car rallye through the Rhön Mountains and Thuringian Forest

Five open-air stars from Rüsselsheim are taking part in this year’s action. The Opel 8/25 PS from 1920 was a sporty tourer with four seats; the Super 6 Gläser Cabriolet from 1937 a premium-class, elegant, sporty two-seater. The 1950 Opel Olympia as a cabriolet sedan was a popular body variant, while the 1964 Rekord A and 1967 Rekord C were a case for the specialists: coachbuilder Deutsch transformed series production sedans into shapely convertibles. The Opel Cascada that accompanies the classic models during the historic car rallye through the Rhön Mountains and Thuringian Forest embodies the contemporary interpretation of the large, luxurious cabriolet with canvas roof and space for four people. 

The beginning was open

Opel’s tradition in open-body automobiles goes back to the brand’s beginnings: like all cars built at the dawn of the automobile age, the Opel Patent Motor Car, System Lutzmann from 1899, followed traditional carriage design principles and had a body without an integral roof. 

Modern motor car anno 1920: Opel 8/25 PS with four seats and characteristically pointed front radiator .

When the Opel 8/25 hp with the characteristic V-shaped radiator front came onto the market 20 years later as an open, four-seat tourer, it was the epitome of the modern motor car. It had a canvas roof but no side windows; motorists in the post-World War I era wore season-appropriate weatherproof clothing. The Opel 8/25 hp four-cylinder engine delivered 25 hp at 1,600 rpm from 2-liter displacement, enough for a maximum speed of 65 km/h. Its model name reflected its tax class and output: according to the federal law introduced in 1906 that first regulated the taxation of automobiles, an “hp tax” was due per one-half liter displacement. 

As painted: In 1937 Opel 75th anniversary of the company, the Beautiful Super 6 Gläser Cabriolet 

In 1937, the company’s 75th anniversary, it presented the new Opel Super 6 featuring an advanced short-stroke 2.5-liter, overhead-valve, straight-six engine with 55 hp that already had a top speed of 115 km/h. A two and four-door sedan as well as a convertible version were available ex-works. Special wishes were fulfilled by coachbuilders such as Hebmüller, Autenrieth, Buhne, Deutsch and Gläser from Dresden, who designed a 2+2 seat, roadster-like convertible based on the Super 6 – open-air driving was now a luxury, no longer the norm. Whoever wants to ride in the Gläser cabriolet driven by Opel VP Sales Peter Christian Küspert better have some acrobatic skills: passengers climb into the rear jump seat over a small step on the side of the car.

Ex-works and per order

The 1950 Opel Olympia was a more comfortable ride. Abundantly adorned with chrome ornaments, it was a symbol of post-war rebuilding and the economic miracle. But as a cabrio-sedan it still wore pre-war fashion. Unlike a full convertible, this open-air model had fixed window frames that were connected to the windshield frame in front and that constituted the C-pillar in the rear. In between, the large roof rolled open, letting in light and air. In 1956, the last car with this design in the Olympia Rekord model line rolled off the assembly line in Rüsselsheim.

Chrome flashing: 1950 Opel Olympia convertible sedan - with fixed window frames and large rolling roof

Then it wasn’t until 1976 that Opel once again offered a convertible ex-works. In the 20 year interim, it was coachbuilders such as Karl Deutsch in Cologne who made the dream of Opel cabriolets come true. Upon request, Deutsch converted the Rekord A of 1963 into a cabrio, as it did the Rekord C in 1966. The entry-level price for a two-door Rekord C base model was 7,590 German marks, and the conversion cost another 4,000 marks. Deutsch’s exclusive creations remain attractive, special and rare, as only around 30 open-air Rekord A and B models were built. 

Case for the specialists: 1964 Opel Rekord A  - Fancy convertible built by coachbuilder Karl Deutsch

About 50 Rekord C and Commodore A – the Rekord’s sporty sister model – cabriolets were produced before the model change in 1972. The red Rekord C Deutsch cabriolet in the Opel Classic Collection is driven by former racing car driver, Opel DTM driver and brand ambassador Joachim Winkelhock.

Shapely transformed: In 1967 followed the convertible version of the Opel Rekord C made by Karl Deutsch 

Today the four-seat Cascada continues Opel’s nearly 120-year heritage of open-air driving. With the new Cascada, Opel offers a spacious four-seater with a high-quality soft-top otherwise only seen in selected premium brand vehicles. It features superior acoustic and thermal insulation for first-class, all-season driving comfort. The Opel Cascada is a seductive whirlwind with its top down and a quiet Gran Turismo when the top is up. It is a year-round cabriolet thanks to its sophisticated soft-top that opens in just 17 seconds while driving at speeds of up to 50 km/h – all for prices starting at just €26,650.

!NEW! Buick Cascada Launch Leads Buick’s Perception - Shifting 2016

Convertible attracts new customers ahead of three more launches

2016 Buick Cascada Convertible 

Shattering expectations has led to three consecutive years of Buick global sales growth, and that momentum is carrying through into 2016. Last month, Buick reached an all-time high in conquest sales, or customers trading in models from competitive brands. Two models — the new Cascada and the popular Encore — have been growing the Buick community the fastest. In 2016 alone, more than 35,000 new customers have switched to the brand.

2016 Buick Cascada Convertible 

Through April, 64 percent of Cascada buyers traded in vehicles from outside Buick or any other General Motors brand. Previous Audi, Toyota and Honda customers have been among the most common. Demand for the Cascada has outpaced supply with 2,487 sales year-to-date through April and 1,090 sales in April alone.

“The lasting impact of the Cascada will be a change in perception that only a sexy, sleek convertible can provide,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Buick Global Sales, Service and Marketing. “It’s changing minds and attracting customers in the country’s biggest convertible markets, with nearly half of sales coming from New York, New Jersey, Florida, Texas and California. These are all key markets for Buick’s continuing success.”

The Cascada is the first of four new vehicles arriving in U.S. showrooms for Buick and one of two in new segments for the brand. The first-ever Envision is now arriving at dealers and will have a 2017 model year starting price of $34,990. In the industry’s most popular segment, Envision will offer the longest available list of standard safety and a starting price $1,300 below the Acura RDX and $6,000 less than an Audi Q5.

More than 57 percent of Encore customers in 2016 have come from competitive brands, with customers citing value, quality and exterior styling as the top reasons for purchase. Priced to offer a premium entry point into the brand, the Encore now represents 40 percent of Buick sales.

As some competitors prepare their first entries into the small SUV segment, Buick is already doubling down on the Encore with an updated 2017 model available later this year. In addition to more sophisticated styling, it offers the connectivity features customers want most, including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 4G LTE Wi-Fi for up to seven devices.

Positioned as attainable luxury, Buick’s pricing strategy gives customers the refinement and technology expected in the luxury market with starting prices closer to that of mainstream competitors. This approach has earned Buick recognition as Kelley Blue Book’s “Best Value Luxury Brand” four years in a row.

“With the 2017 Encore, along with an all-new LaCrosse sedan, the Envision and the Cascada, Buick will have four new vehicles this year in U.S. showrooms alone,” said Aldred. “It’s a year in which we’ll stop asking customers to question their preconceptions of the brand and instead make a strong statement about what the brand is today.”

!NEW! Buick Sets Third Consecutive Global Sales Record

Momentum continues in advance of new product infusion

Buick will set a global sales record for the third consecutive year in 2015.

In mid-December, annual sales surpassed last year’s record 1,170,115 vehicles driven by record sales in China and record crossover deliveries in the United States. Yearend sales for Buick are expected to surpass 1.2 million vehicles.

“Buick’s momentum is undeniable as new customers worldwide discover Buick’s lineup of beautiful, approachable premium vehicles,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Global Buick.

“We think 2016 will be another watershed year for the brand with the global launch of the new 2017 LaCrosse, the North American launch of the Envision, the U.S. launch of the Cascada, and the Chinese launch of a new Verano hatchback. Our products and our customer service have never been better.”

In China, Buick sales have surpassed 100,000 units for two consecutive months and annual sales are expected to reach 1 million units for the first time.  The all-new Excelle GT launched this year is the country’s bestselling model.

The popularity of crossovers has significantly contributed to brand growth in all markets. In the U.S., Encore small crossover sales have grown for 23 consecutive months and are on track to become the best sales in eight years for a single Buick model. Combined with China, Encore sales will top 140,000 vehicles globally.

Crossover sales industrywide have increased 3 percentage points in the U.S. this year, accounting for 40 percent of all new vehicles sold. At Buick, Encore and Enclave crossover sales account for 60 percent of U.S. Buick sales so far this year.

The GL8 and all-new Envision compact crossover ranked first and second respectively in the 2015 J.D. Power China Initial Quality Study (IQS) in the large SUV segment. The Envision, which was also named Motor Trend SUV of the Year in China, will end its first full year in production with more than 130,000 sales. It goes on sale in all North American markets in 2016. 

Buick has topped J.D. Power U.S. Customer Service Index rankings among mass-market brands for two straight years.

The new Cascada, Buick’s first convertible in 25 years, goes on sale in early 2016 in the U.S. The new 2017 LaCrosse – Buick’s most advanced sedan ever – launches globally next summer, and the award-winning Envision crossover arrives at North American dealers next summer. The new Verano hatchback and Verano GS are available for pre-order in China now.

!NEW! 2016 Buick Cascada Convertible Priced at $33,990

Well-equipped convertible offers high levels of standard content, technology

2016 Buick Cascada convertible

The top-down driving experience of the 2016 Cascada – Buick’s first convertible offered in the United States in 25 years – is priced at $33,990. 

When it goes on sale early next year, the Buick Cascada will offer more standard content, a more powerful standard engine and a lower starting price than the Audi A3 Cabriolet.

“Cascada expands Buick’s lineup with a uniquely fun and personal driving experience,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Buick. “With a lower price than key competitors, it also promises to shake up the segment – and look good doing it.”  

The 2016 Cascada – designed from the ground up as a convertible – comes well-equipped in a 2+2 configuration, with room for four adults. Performance is rooted in a 200-horsepower (149 kW) turbo engine, backed by a six-speed automatic transmission, with Buick’s sophisticated HiPer Strut front suspension and a Watts Z-link rear suspension standard.

Additional standard features:

• Acoustically and thermally insulated electro-hydraulic power roof that lowers in only 17 seconds at speeds up to 31 mph
• High-intensity discharge, articulating headlamps and front LED daytime running lamps; and LED taillamps
• Automated, spring-loaded and pyrotechnically activated rollover bars behind the rear seat that are linked to the air bag system
• IntelliLink system with 7-inch-diagonal color touchscreen
• Navigation radio and seven-speaker premium audio system
• Rear Vision camera
• Remote start
• Dual-zone climate control
• Front and rear 12-volt power outlets
• Heat-reflective leather-appointed seating
• Heated front seats with eight-way power adjustments
• Heated, leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel
• Twenty-inch aluminum wheels with bi-color finish
• Electric power steering
• Rear Park Assist

A Cascada Premium model, priced at $36,990, adds:

• Forward Collision Alert
• Lane Departure Warning
• Automatic headlamp control with tunnel detection
• Front and Rear Park Assist
• Rainsense automatic windshield wipers
• Twenty-inch wheels with “diamond graphic” bi-color finish
• Front and rear air deflectors.

The Cascada also offers plenty of storage space, including 13.4 cubic feet of cargo room with the top up and 9.8 cubic feet with the top down, as well as a 22.4-inch x 12.6-inch (320 mm x 570 mm) pass-through from the trunk to the passenger compartment. When the 50/50-split rear seat is folded, longer items such as skis and wakeboards can be stowed inside.  

Convertibles compared

	2016 Buick Cascada	2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet
Starting price	$33,990 (incl. DFC)	$37,525 (incl. DFC)
Standard engine	1.6L Turbo – 200 HP	1.8L Turbo – 170 HP
Standard transmission	six-speed automatic	six-speed automatic (dual-clutch)
Standard wheels	20-inch aluminum	17-inch aluminum
Front suspension	HiPer Strut	MacPherson strut
Rear suspension	compound crank with Z-link	four-link
Convertible top	lowers up to 31 mph	lowers up to 31 mph
Leather seating	standard	standard
Heated front seats	standard	available
Seat adjusters	eight-way power	eight-way manual with four-way power lumbar
Heated steering wheel	standard	not available
Dual-zone climate control	standard	standard
Rear-view camera system	standard	standard
IntelliLink infotainment	standard	not available
Navigation radio system	standard	available
Forward Collision Alert	available	not available
Lane Departure Warning	available	not available
Front and Rear Park Assist	available	standard

!NEW! Buick Cascada Convertible Blends Safety and Style

Reinforced structure contributes to sleek design

The 2016 Buick Cascada convertible rolls into the sun early next year with a reinforced structure designed to complement its refined appearance and enhance its versatility, while bolstering the car’s strength, rigidity and chassis precession.

Special features include spring-loaded, pyrotechnically activated roll bars behind the front seats that are linked to the airbag system.

Buick Cascada Convertible, showcasing rollover protection bars.

“Intelligent design is a hallmark of Buick’s renaissance and the all-new Cascada advances that legacy with seamless integration of great convertible design and safety,” said Holt Ware, Buick exterior design director. “It’s a design that fosters the Cascada’s clean, uninterrupted lines while helping enable confident, top-down driving enjoyment.”

The body structure allows the top, its folding mechanism and the roll bar apparatus to be stowed below the car’s “belt line” and under a hard tonneau cover, for a smooth, uninterrupted profile. It also enhances cargo space, with a 22.4-inch by 12.6-inch (320 mm by 570 mm) pass-through from the trunk to the passenger compartment. When the 50/50-split rear seat is folded, longer items such as skis and wakeboards can be stowed inside.

“There are no design compromises with the Cascada,” said Ware. “The structural elements enhance the driving experience, not intrude on it.”

The roll bar system, for example, enables the rear-seat cargo pass-through, because it is less obtrusive than some vehicles’ hoop-style pop-up protection systems. When deployed, the roll bars extend approximately 14 inches (358 mm) to match the height of the windshield.

It is also a lighter system than others, which enhances performance and agility.

The Cascada’s strategically reinforced body structure supports the roll bar system and is the foundation for the car’s strength and responsive driving experience. Elements include:

• A-pillars featuring press-hardened steel in the inner structures and reinforced with high-strength, hot-rolled and cold-bent tubes within the pillars
• Reinforced rocker panels with increased cross section
• Underbody reinforcements including X-braces, V-braces and additional brackets
• A reinforced “torsion box” bulkhead behind the rear seats that incorporates the pop-up roll bars

As a result of the structure’s rigidity, engineers were able to tune the suspension and steering systems with a high degree of precision, because they didn’t have to compensate for chassis flex.

“That stiffness is at the core of the Cascada’s precise, refined driving experience,” said Bernd Pohl, Cascada structural engineer. “It is exceptionally responsive, with great driver feedback.”

About the Buick Cascada

The Cascada goes on sale in early 2016. It will be the first Buick convertible offered in the United States in 25 years and the latest globally developed vehicle to join the brand’s growing portfolio.

The Cascada’s 2+2 configuration offers comfortable room for four adults. Its expressive driving experience is rooted in a rigid body structure, Buick’s sophisticated HiPer Strut front suspension and responsive Watts Z-link suspension in the rear – along with a 200-horsepower (149 kW) turbocharged engine.

When it comes to dropping the top on a whim, the electro-hydraulic power roof system lowers in only 17 seconds at speeds up to 31 mph. Multilayer construction offers superior thermal and acoustic insulation for driving comfort in all seasons. 

Inside, a thoughtfully trimmed and comprehensively equipped cabin reflects Buick’s renaissance. The instrument panel is wrapped with soft-touch material featuring authentic stitching, while heated front seats and steering wheel offer comfort in colder weather conditions.

Advanced safety features include Lane Departure Warning, Rear Park Assist and a standard rearview camera.

The Cascada also offers plenty of storage space, including 13.4 cubic feet of cargo room with the top up and 9.8 cubic feet with the top down.

!NEW! April Showers No Match for Buick’s New Convertible

Water tests simulate record rainfall to ensure Cascada’s watertight seal

How does Buick ensure the 2016 Cascada convertible will stay dry when April showers come calling? By making it rain on the assembly line, assuring cloudbursts will be no match for Cascada when it hits dealerships in early 2016.

“Convertibles are best enjoyed when it’s warm and sunny, but Cascada has been designed and engineered to be used year-round, regardless of the weather,” said John Dolch, program quality manager for Cascada. “Not only is Cascada’s top engineered to be weatherproof in extreme conditions, but each and every Cascada built will also be put through a rigorous water test.”

Specialized water test booths, located at the end of Cascada’s assembly line, will allow freshly built cars to roll off the line and into testing. Each booth has no fewer than 124 individual nozzles, which will quickly immerse the Cascada in a miniature rainstorm for 10 minutes.

Each 2016 Buick Cascada built will undergo extensive water testing as part of the production process, ensuring the interior remains watertight in inclement weather.

Each nozzle emits 1.9 gallons of water every minute. Cascada’s test is designed to produce nearly the equivalent of 1.23 inches of rain in a minute, which matches a world record set in Unionville, Md. in 1956.

Additionally, two Cascadas will be randomly selected daily to undergo another water test, known as the “deluge.” While this test is designed to last only eight minutes, each nozzle blasts roughly three gallons of water each minute.

Much like actual rain clouds, Cascada’s water testing booths are also part of a water cycle. While nearly 132,000 gallons of water – or nearly 5,500 full bathtubs – will be used daily, only 1.5 percent of that volume is lost to evaporation. The other 98.5 percent of the water used will be collected, filtered and recycled for use in later tests.

These tests may seem extreme, but they’re especially important given April showers are more than an old proverb. As winter gives way to spring, rain showers are bound to splash cities across the U.S. with more than a little precipitation.

“Typically, April sees weather patterns bring in more moisture from the Gulf, especially in the eastern half of the United States,” said Jim Piro and Allan Reppert, AccuWeather climatology supervisor and meteorologist, respectively. “Rainfall for the spring looks to be wet along much of the East Coast, from New York south into northern Florida, and stretching along the Gulf Coast into eastern Texas.”

Some spring showers may take drivers by surprise on an otherwise sunny day, but Cascada engineers came prepared. Its power-folding top will be fully deployed in as little as 17 seconds, and at speeds up to 31 mph.

Beginning in early 2016, Cascada owners in arid corners of the U.S. may not have to worry about facing those showers, but they may still appreciate the result of these tests.

“Chances are good you’ll still clean the car with a pressure washer, or run it through an automated car wash,” Dolch said. “The same watertight concerns will still apply, even under clear blue skies.”

!NEW! Connected Car Award for Opel’s new OnStar Connectivity

Award presented at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit

Stars in Detroit: Opel Group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann (left) receives the Connected Car Award from Tomas Hirschberger, deputy editor-in-chief of Auto Bild, in front of the new Buick Cascada.

For the second year running, Opel Group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann was able to accept a Connected Car Award for the digital connectivity of the company’s vehicles. Opel won the Pioneer Award for especially trendsetting innovations with OnStar, the comprehensive carefree package of connected safety, high-class mobility services and progressive information technology. Opel will initially introduce OnStar in selected European markets by the middle of the year. Each vehicle will be fitted with 4G LTE, the car becomes a powerful, mobile Wi-Fi hotspot, giving easier access to apps and services that require a high-speed cellular or data connection, for up to seven mobile devices. “Presently, internet is normally a premium topic but Opel have made an expensive technology mainstream,” explained magazines Auto Bild and Computer Bild in the reasoning for the award. Opel already won a Pioneer Award last year for the IntelliLink infotainment system in the Opel ADAM.

Opel ADAM: IntelliLink infotainment system

“OnStar and Opel will make driving in Europe safer and more relaxing,” said Karl-Thomas Neumann at the award presentation in Detroit. “With OnStar 4G/LTE, Opel drivers will enjoy high-speed mobile connectivity. With this, we take a major step towards realizing our vision of connectivity.”

Award presentation: Opel Group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann (left) receives the Connected Car Award for Opel OnStar from Tomas Hirschberger, deputy editor-in-chief of Auto Bild.

In addition, OnStar will offer automatic emergency services after an accident, it will allow for remote diagnostics in case of breakdown, can open accidentally locked doors via a mobile app and can locate a stolen vehicle. Drivers can also contact the call center at the touch of a button.

!NEW! Buick Cascada: Developed in Germany and Built in Poland

North American International Auto Show: Buick Cascada makes debut in Detroit

Powerful engine: 200 hp 1.6 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo 

First Buick convertible in 25 years: Four-seater at US dealers in early 2016

Successful synergies: Both the Buick Cascada (photo) and its Opel sister model were developed in Germany

Impressive presentation at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit (January 12 - 25). Buick revealed its Cascada convertible, an elegant four-seater will go on sale in the USA in the first quarter of 2016. 

Successful synergies: Both the Opel Cascada (photo) and its Buick sister model were developed in Germany

This marks another example of the two brands’ successful collaboration, which already includes the jointly-developed Buick Encore and Opel Mokka, the Buick Verano and Opel Astra sedan as well as the Buick Regal and Opel Insignia.

Small SUV twins: The Buick Encore (photo) and the Opel Mokka are closely related to each other

Small SUV twins: The Opel Mokka (photo) and the Buick Encore are closely related to each other 

Elegant compact sedans: The Buick Verano (photo) and the Opel Astra share same technical platform

Elegant compact sedans: The Opel Astra (photo) and the Buick Verano share same technical platform

Elegant midsize sedans: The Buick Regal (photo) and the Opel Insignia share same technical platform

Elegant midsize sedans: The Opel Insignia (photo) and the Buick Regal share same technical platform

“The Opel Cascada was developed at our International Technical Development Center in Rüsselsheim, where more than 6,000 engineers work on Opel models, but also on products for other GM brands. So we are constantly searching for synergies, and are delighted that there is now another Cascada for a new market with this Buick. This shows our outstanding engineering expertise while also increasing capacity utilization at our Polish plant in Gliwice,” says Opel Group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. In Europe, the Cascada has won over customers and trade media alike, resulting in numerous awards including the Plus X Award in Germany and the Golden Steering Wheel in Switzerland. In Portugal, Turbo Magazine named it Convertible of the Year in 2014.

The Buick Cascada is powered by the super-efficient 1.6 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo with 147 kW/200 hp. The four-cylinder unit delivers maximum torque of 300 Nm. The HiPerStrut (High Performance Strut) front suspension precisely and comfortably transfers power onto the road, ensuring a smooth driving experience. The newest-generation turbo engine in the Buick is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Cascada’s special feature is its high-quality soft-top that opens in just 17 seconds at the touch of a button, also at driving speeds up to 50 km/h. The US four-seater comes with luxurious equipment such as 20-inch alloy wheels and leather seats that automatically slide forward to offer passengers easy access to the rear seat area. Highlights include the IntelliLink infotainment system with a seven-inch color touchscreen.

With the Cascada, Buick offers American customers an extremely emotional product – it is the brand’s first convertible in 25 years. In the USA, convertible market sales increased by three percent to more than 131,000 units from 2009 to 2013. This segment is distinguished by high customer loyalty: 37 percent of customers remain true to convertibles when they buy a new car. However, a good two-thirds of them change brands, which offers plenty of conquest potential for the Buick Cascada.

“We will continue to work closely with Buick in the coming years wherever it makes sense,” says Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. A sound approach, as both brands stand for similar values but do not get in each other’s way on international markets: Buick is sold in North America and China, Opel mainly in Europe. GM has already announced the production of a new Buick model in Rüsselsheim later in the decade. “This enhances capacity utilization at our Rüsselsheim plant, thereby increasing its efficiency,” adds Dr. Neumann.

Buick Enclave SUV

But that’s not all: the Australian brand Holden will also benefit from this global GM strategy. Opel will export vehicles to Australia and New Zealand this year. In addition to the Holden Astra GTC, the especially sporty VXR version and the flagship Insignia, there will also be a Holden Cascada. Dr. Neumann says: “This makes the Cascada a convertible triplet on three continents – a very nice compliment and even more proof of the appeal of our large convertible.”

Holden Astra VXR, Insignia VXR and Cascada convertible