Is this the 2014 Buick Regal Convertible?

If this Vauxhall Cascadas is what the 2014 Buick Regal Convertible will look like, I’ll take mine in pimpin’-hot red! I mean, I’m not a convertible lover and Buick is not my first choice for heart-pumping design, but just look at it! Someone at some stuffy European design studio got it right.
Quickly: can you tell me how many convertibles General Motors currently has in the United States?
Ten? Seven? Five? Less than three?
I can only count two from Chevy. Currently, the only two convertibles sold in North America by General Motors is the Camaro and Corvette. Yes, there is word of a Cadillac convertible that GM folk promise is coming soon, but nothing solid. If GM does adopt this Vauxhall’s platform and styling for the 2014 Buick Regal Convertible, it would be a sensation for people who value aesthetics above nameplates.
I cobbled together some information about the Cascadas. Just a few basics here and there, but just enough to wet your apatite. I mean, this is a MUCH better looking option than the Chrysler 200 – right?
 Here’s what we know about the Vauxhall Cascadas, which might become the 2014 Buick Regal Convertible:
(I made the metric conversions and rounded off the results, so – this is an approximation… okay?)
  • In Europe, there will be three engines available.  The base engine is a baby turbo that turns out about 138 horsepower. It’s a 1.4-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder that makes around 162 lbs-feet of torque.
  • The diesel offering makes about 163 hp. It’s a 2-liter turbo-diesel that makes around 280 lb-ft of torque.
  • This top of the line engine looks similar to what is available in the Buick Regal GS and I would expect the 168 hp, 1.6-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine to crank out about 206 lb-ft of torque.
  • A six speed automatic and manual are available. Once again, just like the Buick Regal GS. The top of the line 1.6-liter will only be available with the automatic when introduced. Still, I suspect they will give those wacky, manual-happy Europeans a manual before the end of the first cycle.
  • The top is even longer than the one on the Audi A5, goes down in 13-seconds and looks a hell of a lot like the top used on the BMW 6-Series convertible. If this Vauxhall becomes a 2014 Buick Regal Convertible, I suspect they will keep this design and forego the trendy hardtop convertible setup.
  • As for styling, here’s what Vauxhall says: “The subtle ‘blade’ on the Cascada’s lower body side is mirrored by a sharp crease that swings upward and meets with the wraparound rear light cluster. A gently rising waistline is highlighted by a chrome strip that borders the cockpit, marking the boundary between roof-top and body. ‘Most convertibles look good with the top down, but many seem clumsy with their roof up,’ said Malcom Ward, Vauxhall’s British Director of Exterior Design. ‘Thanks to its high quality, aerodynamically clean soft top with a perfect, seamless profile, the Cascada cuts a fine figure when it’s closed.’ Sculpted with a purposeful power bulge, Cascada’s bonnet tops a deep front grille with bold chrome applications. The fog lights are carried in two overturned ‘sharkfin’ elements, which are enhanced by chrome inserts. Using LED technology, the daytime running lights in the headlamps and the rear lights incorporate Vauxhall’s ‘wing’ signature. In the rear, the LED modules are diffused to give a solid and sharp light signal – typical of cars in the premium sector. A chrome strip linking the boot-mounted light units matches a similar bar across the front of the car.
  • The Cascada’s fabric roof can be specified in one of three colours, which can be coordinated with one of ten body colours.”
  • I suspect that, if they do make this into the 2014 Buick Regal Convertible, they will keep the lauded HiPerStrut front suspension as it works well mitigating torque-steer while providing an excellent trade off between a sporting and civilized ride. Yep, I called it “civilized” as that’s exactly what I felt when driving the Buick Regal GS with that very same system.
  • Price? Well, the current Buick Regal GS (which is the top of the Regal line) starts at $35,865. Usually, convertibles have a premium that can run $2,000 – $5,000 above the top of the line model. That all depends on whether Buick opts to have the convertible available for the base and turbo models, along with the GS.

Hell, we don’t even know if General Motors is interested in making the 2014 Buick Regal Convertible a reality.

It sure would be nice – no?

Here’s Roman playing with another Buick with European roots!

 

Easily amused by anything with four wheels, Nathan Adlen reviews vehicles from the cheapest to the most prestigious. Wrecking yards, dealer lots, garages, racetracks, professional automotive testing and automotive journalism – Nathan has experienced a wide range of the automotive spectrum. His words, good humor and video are enjoyed worldwide.