Photo: Opel
After seeing the kind of success Fiat achieved with the retro-inspired 500, Opel are striking back hard, with a car that is both similar and very different. The Adam, named after the company’s founder, (at least his name wasn’t Friedrich or Gunther) will attempt to win back some syle points for Opel, in the very crowded sector in which it has been positioned.
Design-wise, we think they’ve nailed it, as the car looks like no other Opel we’ve ever seen, and to our eyes, the look is rather successful. It also features a contrasting roof color scheme, very bold creases both on the bottom of the door and around the door handles, and it has a cleverly designed C-pillar, to give the impression that the roof is merely hovering above the body and not connected to it.
We are really pleased that they have given the car thoroughly modern styling, not taking any inspiration from any of the marque’s historic offerings, as Opel themselves clearly state: “ADAM bucks the trend for retro-based design with a fresh and bold look that will appeal to open-minded individuals who want to defy convention with a car that’s distinctive and striking."
As one would expect, the interior hasn’t been neglected and it is, again, one of the best ever designed by Opel - let’s just hope that the quality is up to scratch - literally. Also, the car will offer its future owners a great deal of customization options, as well as a whole slew of electronic gadgets.
Aside from the six airbags it gets as standard, along with air-con and front electric windows, other options include LED DRLs, infotainment system with all sorts of connectivity, Advanced Park Assist II, Start/Stop as well as ‘big car features’, such as the heated steering wheel - very useful in most European countries, so, a great addition.
Powering the Adam is a job left to 1.2 and 1.4-liter petrol units, with with power ratings starting at the 70 hp mark, and rising to 99 hp. However, if these don’t tickle your fancy, the Adam “will be the first car in Opel/Vauxhall’s range to adopt the new-generation small petrol engine, featuring direct injection and forced induction, and an all-new six-speed gearbox.”
All engines put their power down to the road via five-cog gearboxes - enough for around town, we say. Pricing has yet to be announced, but it should be in the exact price bracket as the Fiat 500 and Ford’s Ka (cars with which it shares a platform, albeit a modified one), when it goes on sale on the Old Continent, in early 2013.
We are really pleased that they have given the car thoroughly modern styling, not taking any inspiration from any of the marque’s historic offerings, as Opel themselves clearly state: “ADAM bucks the trend for retro-based design with a fresh and bold look that will appeal to open-minded individuals who want to defy convention with a car that’s distinctive and striking."
As one would expect, the interior hasn’t been neglected and it is, again, one of the best ever designed by Opel - let’s just hope that the quality is up to scratch - literally. Also, the car will offer its future owners a great deal of customization options, as well as a whole slew of electronic gadgets.
Aside from the six airbags it gets as standard, along with air-con and front electric windows, other options include LED DRLs, infotainment system with all sorts of connectivity, Advanced Park Assist II, Start/Stop as well as ‘big car features’, such as the heated steering wheel - very useful in most European countries, so, a great addition.
Powering the Adam is a job left to 1.2 and 1.4-liter petrol units, with with power ratings starting at the 70 hp mark, and rising to 99 hp. However, if these don’t tickle your fancy, the Adam “will be the first car in Opel/Vauxhall’s range to adopt the new-generation small petrol engine, featuring direct injection and forced induction, and an all-new six-speed gearbox.”
All engines put their power down to the road via five-cog gearboxes - enough for around town, we say. Pricing has yet to be announced, but it should be in the exact price bracket as the Fiat 500 and Ford’s Ka (cars with which it shares a platform, albeit a modified one), when it goes on sale on the Old Continent, in early 2013.
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