Fashion Quarterly’s features editor Lucy Slight swapped her quintessential Auckland car for a show-stopping drop-top for the weekend. Here’s what she thought…
Who’s that girl?
Holden Cascada 1.6L Turbo convertible.
She’s a beauty, how much?
Priced from $45,990.
Looks matter. What first impression does this make?
Her steely-grey body, fresh from the valet, shone like a cougar – and later, when I put my foot down on State Highway 1, she roared like one too. Devastated though I was that the weather wasn’t quite balling enough to drop the top, I love that the soft-top appearance meant that passers-by KNEW I had the capability.
If this car was a person, who would it be?
Diane Keaton. Sharp as a tack, eternally stylish, a formidable talent and undeniable prowess.
Most importantly, how are the cup holders/lipstick mirrors?
Cup holders were one of the first things I searched for, a) because it’s my top car essential (clearly in my dreams, because I’ve never owned a car with adequate cup holders) and b) because I needed to know that the flat white I’d just bought wouldn’t end up all over the front seat. Though, in all honesty, if such a tragedy had occurred, at least the leather seats could be wiped clean, no? Mirror-wise, the mirror on the driver’s side sun visor had delightfully soft orange-hued lights surrounding it. ‘Nuff said.
What can this car do?
I’m so glad you asked. Here is a list of features that MADE the three hour road trip: A power seat belt presenter – yes you read that correctly. You don’t even need to reach back for your seatbelt, it’s like you’ve got a tiny butler in the back who knows exactly when to send the seatbelt your way; Heated seats AND a heated steering wheel that can be set to three different heat levels – take THAT Auckland winter; The aforementioned drop-top that – had we got caught in the rain – has the ability to close in just 19 seconds flat; 20-inch alloy wheels – I don’t really know what that means, but they were big and made me feel very safe; A 1.6L turbo engine, which again – not my forte – but I know that the 1.6L non-turbo car I actually own, can’t overtake anywhere near as fiercely as this baby can.
Anything you wish it had or could do?
The Bluetooth capabilities of this car meant the effort I put into curating the ultimate roadtrip playlist wasn’t in vain, however, because I usually leave technical sound stuff to the male in my life, I did have a bit of trouble figuring out how exactly to pair my iPhone with the Holden MyLink Infotainment System. Though the satisfaction I felt when I did manage to figure it out made me quite proud really. #girlpower.
Is it one you’d drive for yourself or for the attention of other women or men?
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t appreciate the admiration the Cascada received as I pulled into the petrol station for a pit stop in Wellsford. But you have to remember it’s what’s on the inside that really counts and seeing as I’ve never felt so comfortable – or safe – behind the wheel of a car in my life, I have to say – this one’s all about me.
A wardrobe full of Prada, Chanel, Balenciaga, Lanvin, Celine, Stella McCartney, Givenchy, Dior, Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Tom Ford or this car?
Why would you do this to me?! I can’t answer that, can I plead the fifth? Though looking back, once I arrived home after my weekend with this beauty, I did put a lot of effort into building and pricing my own Cascada online… I’ll take one in ‘Summit White,’ please.
