Three new models and a new engine are all set to be showcased on the Vauxhall stand at this year’s Geneva Motor Show.
Headlining the line-up will be the new four-seat Cascada convertible that goes on sale in April. Vauxhall will offer the Cascada in entry-level SE form from £23,995 with a higher spec model also available from launch. Base-level models will get 18-inch alloy wheels, a sports-tuned chassis and LED lights as standard. Vauxhall gets set to go head-to-head with Audi's A5 Cabriolet. Ambitious? We'll have to wait and see...
As well as the Cascada, the Adam is getting ready to make a splash with two concepts based on the standard urban derivative. The first is the road-going Adam ROCKS mini-crossover with which Vauxhall is hoping to open a new niche segment in the market. As well as being taller and wider than the standard Adam, the ROCKS version boasts more rugged styling and a full-length convertible roof.
The second Adam concept is the Adam R2, a Rally Cup special designed to celebrate Opel's return to motorsport. A 1.6-litre 16-valve engine with variable cam timing provides the power, while an adjustable chassis, Brembo four-piston brake callipers and a fly-off hydraulic handbrake ensures it's up to the job. Output figures are said to be 183hp and 190Nm of torque and the concept is built to full FIA R2 specifications.
A Zafira Tourer MPV will also be on the stand and while the model itself isn't new, the engine powering it is. The 1.6-litre CDTi Start/Stop diesel engine is claimed to be Vauxhall's greenest diesel unit to date, offering 68.9mpg and 109g/km of CO2 when fitted to the Zafira. As well as this, the new engine comes with BlueInjection selective catalytic reduction (SCR) that meets new Euro 6 emissions regulations. Vauxhall's newfound efficiency hasn't come at the expense of performance either; as the 134hp unit gets the Zafira from 0-62mph in a respectable 10.4 seconds thanks to its 320Nm torque output.
Although not a world premiere, Vauxhall is rocking up to Geneva with yet another Adam, this time with full Siri Eyes-Free integration for iPhones running iOS6. This integration should make driving a lot safer as the system can play music, read and send text messages, make appointments and answer emails without the driver having to take their hands off the wheel. A new TuneIn app can also be had giving users access to 70,000 radio stations and over two million on-demand programmes.
All this will be showcased at the Vauxhall/Opel press conference that is scheduled for 9:00am on Tuesday 5th March.
James Giddings - 21 Feb 2013