The Opel Astra CC suffers from the same ailment as other small, hardtop convertibles like the Renault Megane and Peugeot 308 cc: an ungainly backside. Stowing a tin roof that needs to cover four people inside a small car just blows things up in the rear. That's why the head of General Motors design in Europe says that the next Astra cabrio won't be a hardtop, but return to cloth.
And in fact, it won't even be called "Astra." Set to bow in 2012, it will break from that nomenclature and forge its own – as yet unknown – brand path. "This car demands a new name," it was said, because "it will look nothing like an Astra," burdened as it will be with continuing the fight to raise Opel and Vauxhall cachet as, a battle begun with the Insignia.
We thought the Opel GTC we saw at the Frankfurt Auto Show was pretty hot – put a softtop on that and hold its stance, and we'd applaud. But if Opel has something even better in mind, well then bring on 2012. We can't wait to see it.
And in fact, it won't even be called "Astra." Set to bow in 2012, it will break from that nomenclature and forge its own – as yet unknown – brand path. "This car demands a new name," it was said, because "it will look nothing like an Astra," burdened as it will be with continuing the fight to raise Opel and Vauxhall cachet as, a battle begun with the Insignia.
We thought the Opel GTC we saw at the Frankfurt Auto Show was pretty hot – put a softtop on that and hold its stance, and we'd applaud. But if Opel has something even better in mind, well then bring on 2012. We can't wait to see it.
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