Vauxhall Cascada (2012) - first photos of new cabrio

Vauxhall today confirmed it will launch a new convertible called Cascada in 2013. Although based on the running gear, it's actually longer than an Audi A5 Convertible – launching Vauxhall and Opel back into the full-size cabrio market for the first time since the 1930s.

The new Vauxhall Cascada is 4.7m long, 70mm longer than an A5 cab and 225mm longer than the Astra TwinTop. And instead of the podgy folding hard-top of the outgoing Astra CC, the Cascada sticks with a fabric roof. Vauxhall says the hood can be operated at speeds of up to 30mph.  

What about the 1978 Vauxhall Cavalier cab, you ask? Well GM Europe has dabbled with soft-tops made by third parties, but the Cascada is the first model to be built and designed in house since the OE-type 30-98 (pictured). The post-war soft-top was the UK's first car capable of recording 100mph, says Vauxhall.

See the Cascada in Vauxhall showrooms in early 2013; it won't, however, be at the 2012 Paris motor show, where all the focus will be on the new Adam city car.

By Tim Pollard