The General's Buick division has announced base pricing for its first convertible in 25 years
Buick convertibles
Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear when, back in 1991, the Buick Reatta convertible was finishing its lackluster two-year run.
Assembled at the Reatta Craft Centre in Lansing, Michigan, the Reatta was based on a shortened General Motors E platform – the very same one that underpinned such classic GM vehicles as the Buick Riviera, Oldsmobile Toronado and Cadillac Eldorado and Allante (okay that last one might be a bit of a stretch).
Both the original Reatta hardtop (1988-1991) and the subsequent Reatta convertible (the convertible suffered from development issues and was only constructed from 1990-1991) were conceived as low-volume vehicles, but sales of the small two-seaters never reached even GM's low expectations and both models were axed in May of 1991.
Although precise production figures were never released, less than 22,000 coupes and fewer than 3,000 convertibles were built.
We now fast forward 25 years.
2016 Buick Cascada
Buick should have much better luck with the upcoming 2016 Cascada convertible.
For one, the model was originally engineered to be a convertible – there is no corresponding sedan, although it does share a platform with three Opel models – the Astra, Zafira and Insignia.
Secondly, it's a 2+2, which means it should have a bit of a wider market than the much smaller Reatta 2-seater.
Finally, it should suffer through very few teething problems as it has been in production since 2013 and marketed in various countries as the Opel Cascada, Vauxhall Cascada, Holden Cascada and Opel Cabrio (the last in Spain despite the fact that "Cascada" is Spanish for "waterfall" – go figure).
Here in the U.S. it will go on sale early next year. When it does, it will be powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder MGE SIDI Ecotec engine churning out 200 horsepower mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
2016 Buick Cascada pricing
Earlier this week, Buick announced pricing on the 2016 model that will come in two trim levels – standard and premium – as follows:
The standard model will be priced at $33,990 (including destination) and will come with, among other things, these features:
• Acoustically and thermally insulated electro-hydraulic power roof that lowers in only 17 seconds at speeds up to 31 mph
• High-intensity discharge, articulating headlamps and front LED daytime running lamps; and LED taillamps
• Automated, spring-loaded and pyrotechnically activated rollover bars behind the rear seat that are linked to the air bag system
• IntelliLink system with 7-inch-diagonal color touchscreen
• Navigation radio and seven-speaker premium audio system
• Rear Vision camera
• Remote start
• Dual-zone climate control
• Front and rear 12-volt power outlets
• Heat-reflective leather-appointed seating
• Heated front seats with eight-way power adjustments
• Heated, leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel
• Twenty-inch aluminum wheels with bi-color finish
• Electric power steering
• Rear Park Assist
The premium trim level, priced at $36,990 (including destination), will add these features:
• Forward Collision Alert
• Lane Departure Warning
• Automatic headlamp control with tunnel detection
• Front and Rear Park Assist
• Rainsense automatic windshield wipers
• Twenty-inch wheels with "diamond graphic" bi-color finish
• Front and rear air deflectors
