For almost a year, the Opel Astra Cabriolet has been carrying on his testing without any obvious changes, something that would make us think that the Opel engineers had to solve some sort of issue that prevented them from going ahead as scheduled. We notice that some elements of the body such as doors, roof and roll-cage are not definitive yet. However, the roof is also the main element of discontinuity with the previous generation: the next Astra Cabriolet in fact will use a classical solution: a fabric top with foldable frame, giving up the metal roof in use by the previous series.

The engine range will be composed of both petrol and diesel units, all of which will be turbocharged: there will be a 140 hp 1.4 and a 180 hp 1.6 petrol units as well as a 1.7 and a 2.0 CDTI diesel units. The debut of the model is likely to be pushed back to early 2013, although a possible appearance at the next Paris Motor Show (September 29-October 14) has not been ruled out.

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The Opel Astra Cabriolet won’t debut for a while yet, but we already know a fair bit about the model, what with the Astra Cabriolet teaser pic joining recent spy shots. The new open-top Astra which should go some way to competing with models like the revived Volkswagen Golf Cabrio, will have a fabric roof and a style said to be inspired by the Astra GTC.

That latter model will also lend its engine range to the Astra cabrio, which promises to be a sporty little model if all this comes to pass. The cabriolet model, according to Car Magazine, will be offered as a separate model to the rest of the range and not as simply a drop-top Astra, much like the distinction between the Volkswagen Eos and the Golf.

In an interview with design head Mark Adams, we find out that the Opel Astra Cabriolet will be called something different as the model will have quite different aspects to the Astra nameplate we know. The new model forms part of a specific strategy from the German brand that also includes changes to the Insignia and a remodelling of the Astra and Meriva models.

The Opel brand relaunch has begun and will include niche models like the small Opel Junior, this Astra cabrio and the compact SUV currently called the Opel Cross Corsa. The Opel Astra cabrio model should get a 2012 launch, with sales starting in Europe in summer.

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The new Opel / Vauxhall Astra Cabriolet will get a traditional fabric roof as the company substitutes the retractable metal roof it has used recently. The folding metal mechanism hasn’t been as popular as hoped and with advances in technology, the Astra Cabriolet will go back to a soft top, and probably compete with the new Golf Cabrio on the way.

The new Opel Astra cabriolet should complete the new Astra range by the time it debuts in about 18 months’ time. It will appear after the new Astra hatchback, the three-door Astra GTC and a more performance-oriented OPC version next year. This image, released by Vauxhall design head Mark Adams, shows a four-seat Astra cabrio and enough room for a decent-sized boot even with the top down.

We don’t know when exactly we’ll be seeing this model, but the new fabric roof and rear overhang are been designed so as not to compromise the rear look of the Astra, which is supposed to be the strong selling point of the model’s style. The Astra Cabriolet could prove to be quite a looker when it’s released and we can’t wait to see more.

Source | Autocar

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A new Opel Astra cabriolet is planned for 2013 and after coupé-cabrio models don’t seem to have demonstrated the same charm as the traditional soft top with folding fabric roof, Opel will be going back to cabrio roots with its Astra convertible. The new Astra Cabrio will replace the TwinTop model and will revive a more classic style while doing so.

Opel has already confirmed that a traditional Astra Cabriolet is in the works, which should debut in 2013. The model could be the next from the German brands in the classic cabrio camp, after Volkswagen just revived its own Golf Cabriolet. It replaces the current Volkswagen Eos, with a folding metal roof, which will be discontinued.

The rendering above is from WorldCarFans and shows what the Astra-based cabriolet could look like, although no official details are available right now. The Astra cabriolet will be built in Poland at the Gliwice plant.

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