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Spyshots: Opel Working on Sportier Adam 1.4 SIDI Turbo to Rival 500 Abarth

Our spy photographers stationed in the Scandinavian peninsula spotted a very interesting little car trailing a convoy of Opel test vehicles. It's quite obviously the Adam city car we're dealing with here, but there are a number of changes, including what looks like slightly lower suspension and a wing at the back.
Opel Working on Sportier Adam to Rival 500 Abarth 8 photos
Photo: Automedia
Opel Working on Sportier Adam to Rival 500 AbarthOpel Working on Sportier Adam to Rival 500 AbarthOpel Working on Sportier Adam to Rival 500 AbarthOpel Working on Sportier Adam to Rival 500 AbarthOpel Working on Sportier Adam to Rival 500 AbarthOpel Working on Sportier Adam to Rival 500 AbarthOpel Working on Sportier Adam to Rival 500 Abarth
So what do we call this Adam that's gone to the gym? There's a chance the OPC, or VXR, nameplate will be stuck to the boot in order to take advantage of its popularity. That would mean this is a hardcore hot hatch with performance to match class rival Fiat 500 Abarth esseesse, which packs 160 PS.

However, with the Corsa model there used to be a version called the "Turbo", packing a detuned 1.6-liter turbo with less power than the OPC. If a similar treatment has been applied to the Adam, 140 PS or so should be enough to fight off the normal Abarth, which only has 135 PS.

Whichever output is chosen, the power will likely come from a yet-to-be-revealed 1.4 SIDI Turbo engine. Ironically, that the same displacement as Fiat's engine. However, the German unit will be much more advanced, since Opel has invested heavily into the SIDI family.

Seeing as the Adam prototype has no triangular air intakes at the front or central-mounted exhaust, it's difficult for this Opel-loving editor to believe this is an OPC model. However, this flagship of the city car range could still have a few surprises for us when it makes its official debut, probably in Paris this October.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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