During the week of the 2015 North American International Auto Show, Buick has officially announced their plans to produce theĀ Cascada as a 2016 model year vehicle. Based directly off of the Opel roadster of the shared model name, its Delta underpinnings are a descendant of the departed Cobalt SS.
Like the Cobalt it features a turbochargedĀ 4-cylinder powerplant, although however, it’s a 1.6L version packing an impressive-for-its-displacement 200 hp.Ā Ā This little Ecotec mill is shared, like the rest of the car, with its European counterpart. It also utilizes the same 6-speed automatic gearbox and literally every body panel, too.
Until we actually climb behind the wheel and sample this potentially fun mobile ourselves, our feelings are mixed on the car. We like the fact that Buick is now offering another two-seat roadster, their first in over 25 years, and we love the fact that they’re exploring new ways to appeal to a customer base that they’re overlooking with their current model lineup (young women, mostly).
But as Buick fans and enthusiasts in general, we think we speak for everyone when we say that they need to ditch the automatic, give us an AWD GS version with at least 280 hp, a quadrant of Brembo brakes, and a ‘Ring-tuned suspension. If Buick pulls that off, we think that they might just have something.
Rick Seitz is the owner and founder of GMEFI Magazine, and has a true love and passion for all vehicles. When he isnāt tuning, testing, or competing with the brandās current crop of project vehicles, heās busy tinkering and planning the next modifications for his own cars.
