Prices have been confirmed for Vauxhall's new Cascada mid-size four-seat soft-top, revealing that it undercuts its main target, the Audi A5, by almost £8,000.

The range will start from £23,995, rising to a peak before options of £29,115. A host of new technologies and engines are specified to push the Cascada upmarket as far as possible.

High specifications across technology, safety and luxury have been linked with an entry price much lower than that of the big-selling Audi in an attempt to break into what has historically been a difficult market sector for mainstream affordable brands like Vauxhall.

Two trim levels will be offered: SE and Elite. SE cars are fitted with 18-inch wheels and a `sport chassis', LED tail lights and multiple input types for the stereo system. Elite adds luxuries like leather upholstery, heated front seats and steering wheel, and front fog lights. Elite spec will start at £26,095 on the road.

Two petrols and one diesel will be available to order from the car's launch, with a second diesel arriving soon afterwards. A 138bhp 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine is the cheapest and achieves nearly 45mph with CO2 measured at 148g/km.

The flagship engine in the range is the new low-revving 1.6-litre SIDI Turbo Ecotec petrol, which Vauxhall claims offers major improvements in power, torque and driveability. In the Cascada it will produce 168bhp and 207lb.ft, with peak output stretched from 1,650rpm to 3,200rpm. The SIDI engine will cost at least £26,505.

The diesels are an immediately available 2.0-litre, 163bhp turbo and a 192bhp BiTurbo unit from the Insignia, both of which produce CO2 emissions of 138g/km. Prices will start at £25,495 for the single-turbo diesel and £29,080 for the BiTurbo, which is only available in Elite trim.

Automatic gearboxes can be specified with the 163bhp diesel, while a six-speed auto is standard on the SIDI petrol engine.