By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

Buick's on a tear recently with its combination of global products (Regal, Encore) and others designed with North American sensibilities in mind (Enclave, Verano). Perhaps the latest addition to the mix might be a two-door four-seat convertible?

Well, Opel and Vauxhall, General Motors' two European brands, recently revealed details and photos of their new Cascada convertible, a stunning product that uses the same platform as the current Regal. It uses all the same smart technology - HiPerStrut suspension and a driver-focused adaptive chassis control system - that makes even the least-expensive Regal dance pretty well. Given its European focus, the Cascada debuts a new 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 170 horsepower, but will also use the same 1.4-litre turbo found in the Cruze and - of course - a few diesel options we'd never see here.

But the shape could launch thousands of sales on this side of the pond. It wouldn't be that difficult to swap over to Buick badges, put in a 2.0-litre turbo with about 220-horsepower and it'd scare the Chrysler 200 Convertible silly.

What do you think of the Cascada? Silly name, maybe... Maybe this is why Buick renewed its Riviera trademark a while back?

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

Coming up with names for upcoming vehicles can be a challenging exercise. And even after bags of money is spent on brainstorming sessions and focus groups, there are many that still leave us scratching our heads/

The new Opel Adam is the latest new car that challenges our sense of good taste. Not from a design perspective, though.

The Adam's tiny footprint means it's aimed at other new city cars from Volkswagen, Fiat and more. To try and attract a younger buyer, Opel will offer three versions of the Adam: JAM, GLAM and SLAM. (See what we mean? "Yes, I just bought an ADAM SLAM.") JAM is the cost-efficient entry model, GLAM is the lux'ed up leather-lined trim, while SLAM is aimed at the sportier set.

Like the popular Citroen DS series, the Adam will feature different roof colours that emphasize its 'floating' nature. Inside, a colour-matched dash houses new technologies and features 'inspired' by more expensive automobiles, like a 'starlight' roofliner that could have come out of a Rolls-Royce Phantom.

Every Adam will be powered by a trio of gasoline engines: a 70-horsepower 1.2-litre four-cylinder like the Chevrolet Spark, plus two optional 1.4-litre engines with either 87 or 100 horsepower. All models will use a six-speed manual transmission.

The Opel Adam will make its official debut at the Paris Motor Show this fall.

By Michelle Koueiter, AutoWeek

The car-airplane-motorcycle fusion on display at Opel's stand for this week's Frankfurt motor show is actually a tandem-two-seat electric-car concept.

The battery-powered EV gets 100 km for $1.36 (or 100 kilometers for one euro). Opel says the concept--it hasn't disclosed a name yet--is one-third the weight of a modern small car. It reaches a maximum speed of 120 km/h.

By Justin Couture

This rather snazzy-looking hatchback is the 2010 Opel Astra, which is set to launch at this year’s Frankfurt auto show. Historically, the Astra has been a strong seller for General Motors’ European division, and the brand has big hopes for the new model. It incorporates numerous design and tech elements from its bigger brother, the Insignia, the winner of 2009 European Car of the Year.

Since 2008, General Motors has sold the Astra in North America under the Saturn brand name. Elsewhere in the world, it’s also sold under the Chevrolet, Holden and Vauxhall brands.

Aside from its name, not a whole lot is shared between the new and the outgoing model.  It rides on GM’s new-generation Delta platform which is significantly longer and wider to improve interior spaciousness and stability. This is the same platform which will be used to underpin the Chevrolet Volt and the Chevrolet Cruze compacts.

By Justin Couture, Sympatico/MSN Autos

Chevrolet is not a particularly large or strong brand in Europe. Though its cars and SUVs have been available in Europe on an off-and-on basis over the years, their yearly sales numbers have been extremely small - a fraction of what the brand sells in North America. Only in 2005 did General Motors officially bring Chevrolet over as an entry-level brand, backing it with a full dealership network.

Perhaps Chevrolet's biggest claim to fame across the Atlantic is that it is the maker of the Lacetti, which is used in Top Gear's "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car" segment. That car was formerly sold in Canada as the Optra Sedan.

And while Chevrolet is having success in Europe, GM made the decision last year that it isn’t the right brand to purvey the Volt or its technology. As a result, Opel will be selling the vehicle instead, and it's previewing its version at this year's Geneva auto show.