WITH summer finally threatening to arrive, Vauxhall has put its first fullsized convertible since the 1930s into the showrooms.

It is hoping that by offering premium-sector touches and a very reasonable price tag it will prise buyers away from the German brands that traditionally dominate this sector.

At nearly 4.7m in length, the fourseater Cascada is longer than an Audi A5 Cabriolet, yet it will compete against the Volkswagen Eos and Golf Cabriolet, the BMW 1 Series Convertible and the Audi A3 Cabriolet.

With a starting price of £23,995 – nearly £8,000 less than an Audi A5 Cabriolet – the Cascada will certainly find favour.

First impressions are very good.

The Cascada has classic lines and a broad stance, matched with a roomy cabin and high-quality materials.

Sculpted with a purposeful power bulge, Cascada’s bonnet tops a deep front grille, while LED daytime running lights in the headlamps and the rear lights are typical of cars in the premium sector.

The Cascada’s fabric roof can be specified in one of three colours, which can be co-ordinated with one of ten body colours.

The Cascada’s cabin borrows from the functionality of an Insignia’s interior. Wrapped in a soft-touch material with stitching, the instrument cluster tops a wingshaped panel which flows into the doors and frames the area around each front occupant.

With a minimum load volume of 280 litres with the roof down, and up to 380 litres roof up, the Cascada is a practical car. In addition, the rear seats benefit from Vauxhall’s FlexFold system, which electrically releases and folds down the 50:50- split rear seats.

Despite being significantly larger than Vauxhall’s last convertible model, the TwinTop, the Cascada’s body is 43 per cent stiffer torsionally.

I tested two of the three engines on offer – a 1.4-litre (140PS) Turbo petrol, with a manual gearbox, achieving a combined 44.8mpg and 148g/km CO2, and a 2.0-litre (165PS) diesel engine with manual and automatic transmissions, achieving up to 54.3mpg combined and 138g/km CO2. Both engines have start/stop technology.

I have to say, the petrol option felt slightly weedy in comparison with the diesel choice, but the highlight of the powertrain line-up is likely to be the all-new 1.6 SIDI Turbo ECOTEC petrol engine.

The first production engine from Vauxhall’s MGE (Mid-Size Gasoline Engine) family, the unit offers major improvements in torque, linearity and overall efficiency. It produces a maximum 170PS from 1,650- 3,200rpm and up to 280Nm of torque, giving a 0-60 time of 9.2 seconds and top speed of 135mph.

A high-performance 2.0 (195PS) Bi-Turbo diesel engine with manual transmission will also be available shortly after launch. The Bi-Turbo achieves a combined 138g/km and 54.3mpg, yet accelerates from 0- 60mph in just 8.9 seconds up to a top speed of 143mph.

The Cascada comes in two trims, SE and Elite. SE pricing starts from £23,995 and Elite pricing starting from £26,095.

The entry-level SE trim should be sufficient for most tastes and pockets.

It includes 18-inch alloy wheels, remote roof operation, rear park assist, LED tail lamps, electric windows, sports front seats, a trip computer, air conditioning, cruise control, DMB radio, USB and aux-in, leather steering wheel, daytime running lights and Flexfold rear seats with remote electrical release.

Elite versions get leather trim, heated front seats and steering wheel, front fog lamps, dual zone climate control, automatic lighting, rain-sensitive wipers, flat-bottomed steering wheel, a windbreak, electronic seatbelt presenters and electro-chromatic rear-view mirror.

Fact file

Vauxhall Cascada SE 2.0CDTI

PRICE: £25,495 (range from £23,995 to £26,095)

ENGINE: 2.0-litre diesel, producing 165PS

TRANSMISSION: six-speedmanual

PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph in 9.6 seconds; top speed 135mph

ECONOMY: 54.3mpg combined

CO2 RATING: 138g/km