By Derek Ogden
A CONVERTIBLE has been launched on the back of the Holden Astra range – it comes with the stand-alone name, Cascada and as a single model, priced at $41,990 plus on-road costs.
A limited number of 50 special Cascada Launch Edition vehicles were made available to celebrate the return of the convertible body style to the Holden range.
Buyers are spoilt with the luxury of premium Nappa leather appointed and ventilated front seats and a leather sports steering wheel.
Other special treats include 20-inch alloy wheels, adaptive forward lighting and Bi-Xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lamps.
Manufactured in Europe, the new Astra and its Cascada cousin are both designed and engineered at the Opel Russelsheim base in Germany.
The Cascada has the classic looks of a four-seater convertible adapted to modern-day use of materials.
The sharp front shows off the latest styling in the way the projector headlamps, daytime running lights and front foglamps flank the robust radiator grille, blending into fenders unadorned with unnecessary decoration.
The shoulder line shoots uninterrupted in a straight line rearwards to the top of a deep-set boot with enough space for 280 litres of gear with the roof open, or 380 litres with it closed.
The rear is also free of clutter, carrying only the vital information ‘Cascada’ and ‘Turbo’.
Up or down, the triple-layer acoustically insulated cloth roof blends in well with the rest of the car.
Cascada rolls on 18-inch alloy wheels, with a 17-inch steel space-saver.
Depending on whether it’s glass half full or half empty, the cabin is a four-seater or 2+2. Suffice to say it has more space than most in its class but still isn’t exactly comfortable for adults in the back seats.
Perforated leather upholstered front and back seats are supportive in sharp manoeuvres.
A heated leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel and alloy pedals add to a feeling of being in a premium sporty Holden.
An extensive multi-function display comes up with vehicle information, trip information, fuel economy and warning/messages
The MyLink infotainment system incorporates a seven-inch colour screen display, integrated Pandora, Stitcher and TuneIn Radio apps, as well as satellite navigation.
Added is DAB digital radio, a single CD player with MP3 capability, hands-free Bluetooth with audio streaming, USB and auxiliary input jack.
The 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, mated with a six-speed automatic transmission, is aimed at producing easy driving with some spirit on hand when called upon.
Front airbags for driver and front passenger, side impact airbags for driver and front passenger are passive protectors, while ABS anti-lock brakes with brake assist, electronic brake-force distribution, traction control, hill start assist, plus electronic stability control are active contributors to safety.
A rear-view camera and front and rear park assist are also useful when negotiating tight spaces.
On a fine but chilly spring evening, with the roof lowered and air-con heating directed into the foot well, the driver and passengers in the test Cascada were in the perfect position, uninterrupted, to take in the pleasures of a clear night sky. Very impressive.
The key to Cascada’s performance potential is its 1.6-litre direct-injection turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing an uninspiring 125 kW of power between 4750 and 6000 rpm, mated with a smooth shifting six-speed automatic transmission.
However, it’s the tasty peak torque of 260 Nm between 1650 and 4500 rpm that gives the car its get up and go, quietly at first and under urging to the tune of a throaty engine note.
The sports suspension is up to coping with most conditions found on sealed roads Down Under at legal speeds, while there is minimum body flexing due to the use of high-strength structural materials.
Also a bonus from turbo technology is the Cascada’s fuel economy, which on test clocked 6.1 litres per 100 kilometres on the open road and a surprisingly frugal 10.5 litres per 100 kilometres in city and suburb driving.
In the back, for some, things can be a bit kneesy-squeazy but not enough to set up a new passenger protest movement.
Gone are the days when, at the first sign of rain, it was a matter of pulling up to raise the roof by hand, in the meantime getting a soaking.
The Cascada ragtop springs into action at the touch of a centrally located switch, becoming locked in in less than 17 seconds at vehicle speeds up to 50 km/h.
Holden Cascada exhibits the exceptional build quality and refinement we expect from European prestige cars, without the premium prices normally associated with the latter. It’s a fair introduction to open-air motoring.
To arrange a test drive contact Barry Bourke Holden, 755 Princes Highway, Berwick. Phone 9707 2222.
Model range
Cascada, automatic $41,990
Cascada Launch Edition, automatic $44,990
