Excitement on eve of ADAM release
IT may have a name steeped in history, but the Adam is all about modern-day living. General Motors South Africa (GMSA) has introduced the funky-looking newcomer to the fashionable niche-segment of the market, to compete with the likes of the MINI Cooper, new Audi A1 and Fiat 500. GMSA vehicle sales, service and marketing vice-president, Brian Olson, said the Opel Adam, a lifestyle car with attitude, would be available in South Africa early next year.
The Adam forms a part of the company's global product offensive with Opel aiming to introduce 27 new vehicles and 17 engines across the globe by 2018. In Africa GMSA will launch 10 new vehicles in the next year.
Opel brand manager Christopher Cradock said the Adam is characterised by Opel's exciting design, engaging driving experience and practical innovations. The new car was named after the company's founder, Adam Opel, who started the company in Germany as a sewing machine manufacturer in 1862, and later switched to manufacturing bicycles, the beginning of the company's move into transportation and eventual venture into manufacturing cars.
Cradock describes the Adam as a premium sub-compact hatchback which is set to compete with similar lifestyle vehicles. He said the non-retro design was inspired by design cues first seen on the Monza concept car.
"The Adam experience is all about the freedom to create and own an individual, personalised car through which the owner can express their lifestyle preferences and tastes. In addition to customisation, the Adam offers an exciting and engaging driving experience and as with all Opel vehicles, it comes packed with standard innovative technology and specification," Cradock said.
He said the Adam would attract a new generation of customers and open up an exciting world of personalised motoring for drivers looking for an individual driving experience.
The Adam was tested by the BBC's popular television programme Top Gear who gave it a 7 out of 10 in its road test and described it as a "surprisingly fresh-faced and good-looking new city car" and said the car "deserves to do well".
The Adam went on sale in Europe this year, and is offered with a choice of two four-cylinder petrol engines, 1.2- and 1.4-litres in size, with power outputs being 52kW, 65kW and 75kW.
Offered are two-tone paint jobs and a range of high-level technology.
The selling price of Adam in South Africa as well as engine size have not yet been confirmed. - Cindy Preller
