Instead, the open-top four-seater is tipped to get a new name, just as Vauxhall has opted for the fresh Adam moniker for its new city car.
The news emerged as Vauxhall released details of the new Astra saloon along with a statement that this four-door “completes the current Astra range”, even though the new convertible is just three months from being unveiled.
Although it won’t carry the Astra badge, the new convertible has a structure that takes elements from the Astra and Insignia platforms.
As a result, it is longer than the Astra and has a roomier rear cabin than the last Astra TwinTop, which went out of production in early 2011.
Whereas the old Astra TwinTop had a folding metal roof, the new convertible gets a folding soft-top, which is lighter and packs away more space-efficiently than a metal design, leaving a much more practical luggage space.
Inside, the new convertible is said to have an upmarket cabin that incorporates high-quality plastics and switchgear, some of which will be used in the facelifted Insignia (see below).
The new convertible is also likely to feature new, downsized 1.6-litre turbo ‘Family 3’ petrol engines, which are due in production later this year.
The most powerful 1.6 GDi will make 197bhp and the less stressed version about 150bhp. The new Family 3 engines feature direct injection and stop-start and the highest-output 197bhp version generates 221lb ft at 1700rpm.
It is said to produce 13 per cent less CO2 than Vauxhall’s existing 1.6T unit, suggesting a sub-150g/km figure in the new convertible.
A brace of diesel engines — likely to be the best-sellers — will also power the soft-top. A 128bhp 1.7 CDTi is understood to be the entry-level oil-burner, and a 165bhp 2.0-litre CDTi will feature at the top of the range.
Vauxhall is known to be developing a new dual-clutch transmission, although it’s unlikely to be available at the launch of the convertible. Instead, it is expected to arrive about 18 months after launch.
Thanks to: Autocar
0 comments:
Post a Comment