FULL-SIZE four seat convertibles are few and far between although some that claim the size can't produce it in reality.

But now Vauxhall has unveiled its new Cascada and it should really set the cat among the pigeons with a starting price of around £23,000

Based on the Insignia it is beautiful with the super-insulated fabric hood up or down, svelte and sophisticated, and sleeker than the Audi A5.

Available from March next year 2013 it will have the existing 140bhp 1.4 turbo petrol and 165bhp 2.0-litre diesel engines, plus a new 1.6 turbo petrol with 170bhp.

Vauxhall claims excellent body rigidity for taut handling and excellent in-built safety and this is backed up by roll over protectors that pop up in milliseconds behind the rear seats.

Performance should be good in the 1.4 and excellent in the other models and all will have Vauxhall's standard six-speed gearbox.

Some interior features are carried over from Insignia, but other parts will be hand crafted and never seen in previous models.

: Audi A5