Next Opel Astra convertible to ditch hard-top roof

June 9, 2011June 9, 2011 Omar Rana Compact Cars, Convertibles, Opel Astra, Opel Astra Convertible, Opel Astra GTC, Vauxhall Astra, Vauxhall Astra GTC

The new Opel / Vauxhall Astra GTC is a handsome looking car. Even the last generation was by all means not too poor of a looker either. But as soon as they chopped off the roof to make the Astra CC, it feminized the hatch a little way too much. Where as the directly completive Volkswagen Eos was more manageable, the Astra just looked better as a hatch. Now though, the new Astra convertible might step up the game.

It is now reported that the convertible version of the Opel/Vauxhall Astra will favor a folding soft top rather than a hardtop like the previous generation. With its announcement, the company also leaked some sketches of the new car to hint at its looks.

Click here for our original post on the 2012 Opel Astra GTC.

It definitely maintains the proportions of other cars in its class, such as the aforementioned Eos and others like the Peugeot 207 CC. But combined with the looks of the latest Astra and it seems like we might have a pretty good lookin’ car.

The sketch also reveals that there will be a four-seater layout and is said to share its main backbone with the sedan Astra and will have the same wheelbase. The rear looks to be lengthened to maintain trunk space while the top is down as well.

The biggest problem with these compact convertibles is that since there’s no roof, the chassis can sometimes become a bit wobbly, resulting in a sub-par driving experience. Let’s up the boffins at Astra can keep the chassis stiff enough to maintain the Astra hatch’s well-mannered driving composure.