Vauxhall Adam first view
Just last month, Vauxhall / Opel announced that it would be returning to its mass-market roots, thereby signalling an end to any upmarket aspirations.
But product planning cycles are measured in years, not weeks, so for the foreseeable future any new models launched by GM’s European subsidiaries are probably going to bear the hallmarks of that abandoned brand strategy.
The just-revealed Adam city car is a case in point, and indeed the press release blurb uses terms such as ‘up-market design’, ‘premium materials’ and ‘upscale equipment’ to describe the new arrival.
Whatever the positioning, the good-looking Adam could provide some stiff competition for the (still) ultra-trendy Fiat 500, as well as the recently-launched Volkswagen Up! / Seat Mii / Škoda Citigo trio.
At 3.7 metres (12’ 1”) long, it’s only around sixteen centimetres (six inches) bigger than the Fiat, and crucially the Adam offers the one thing that virtually defines the diminutive Italian: the ability for buyers to create an almost unique specification.
Although three trim levels are going to be available - the rather tweely named Jam, Glam and Slam - there’ll be plenty of opportunity for personalisation thanks to a choice of two colours for the ‘floating’ roof, various seat fabrics, different cabin headlinings and numerous extras including park assist and a heated steering wheel.
Power will come from a range of three ecoFLEX petrol engines that produce 69 bhp (51 kW / 70 PS), 85 bhp (64 kW / 87 PS) or 98 bhp (74 kW / 100 PS). All come connected to a five-speed gearbox, however a fuel-saving start-stop system only appears on the options list, which is rather mean.
These will be joined later on by a small-capacity, direct injection, turbocharged petrol unit. Technical details have yet to be released, but the fact that no diesel is being offered suggests its efficiency makes an oil-burner superfluous.
Of course, a major factor in the Vauxhall / Opel Adam’s market reception will be its pricing. Unfortunately, that has yet to be confirmed, but we do know that sales are due to begin in January 2013.
Related post:
Opel Adam, not Junior
Images © General Motors.
But product planning cycles are measured in years, not weeks, so for the foreseeable future any new models launched by GM’s European subsidiaries are probably going to bear the hallmarks of that abandoned brand strategy.
The just-revealed Adam city car is a case in point, and indeed the press release blurb uses terms such as ‘up-market design’, ‘premium materials’ and ‘upscale equipment’ to describe the new arrival.
Whatever the positioning, the good-looking Adam could provide some stiff competition for the (still) ultra-trendy Fiat 500, as well as the recently-launched Volkswagen Up! / Seat Mii / Škoda Citigo trio.
At 3.7 metres (12’ 1”) long, it’s only around sixteen centimetres (six inches) bigger than the Fiat, and crucially the Adam offers the one thing that virtually defines the diminutive Italian: the ability for buyers to create an almost unique specification.
Although three trim levels are going to be available - the rather tweely named Jam, Glam and Slam - there’ll be plenty of opportunity for personalisation thanks to a choice of two colours for the ‘floating’ roof, various seat fabrics, different cabin headlinings and numerous extras including park assist and a heated steering wheel.
Power will come from a range of three ecoFLEX petrol engines that produce 69 bhp (51 kW / 70 PS), 85 bhp (64 kW / 87 PS) or 98 bhp (74 kW / 100 PS). All come connected to a five-speed gearbox, however a fuel-saving start-stop system only appears on the options list, which is rather mean.
These will be joined later on by a small-capacity, direct injection, turbocharged petrol unit. Technical details have yet to be released, but the fact that no diesel is being offered suggests its efficiency makes an oil-burner superfluous.
Of course, a major factor in the Vauxhall / Opel Adam’s market reception will be its pricing. Unfortunately, that has yet to be confirmed, but we do know that sales are due to begin in January 2013.
Related post:
Opel Adam, not Junior
Images © General Motors.
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