Autoblog

Opel gets crossover cute with the Adam Rocks Concept [w/video]

Jeffrey N. Ross — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Budget, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Opel

Looking to inject some machismo into its cute and lovable Adam, Opel rolled out a new concept version of its Fiat 500 fighter, called the Adam Rocks. This concept makes the Adam look a little meatier with a taller and wider stance while the plastic lower body cladding adds a crossover-like ruggedness to the small hatchback's design.

Another key part of Adam Rocks Concept is the sliding fabric top, which creates a large opening in the roof without eliminating the side rails - similar to the Fiat 500C. For now, Opel is just calling the Adam Rocks Concept a design study, but it definitely looks like it could make for a fun little vehicle for European buyers. Scroll down for a short video and press release from Opel.

Continue reading Opel gets crossover cute with the Adam Rocks Concept [w/video]

Opel gets crossover cute with the Adam Rocks Concept [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Mar 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Opel Adam looking to get dirty with friends

Zach Bowman — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, Opel, Specialty, Racing

If there's a single phrase in the automotive lexicon that makes us want to obliterate our delicate middle ear organs with a pickaxe, it's "lifestyle car." Opel has taken the unfortunate step of dropping the company's Adam into that phylum, which is a shame since the little runabout looks downright dashing in rally guise. Opel has just announced that it will show off its new FIA R2-spec Adam at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show next month. Expect to see the little competitor go through homologation and final development early this year, with privateer teams able to purchase their own shortly thereafter.

With a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that provides 185 horsepower and 140 pound feet of torque in rally spec, the Adam should be reasonably quick. A five-speed sequential transmission and limited slip differential put that muscle down, and four-piston Brembo front brakes help bring the party to a stop. The driver also gets the luxury of a hydraulic handbrake and the cabin is fitted with Sparco competition seats, an LCD gear indicator and a MONIT trip computer. Check out the full press release below for more information.

Opel is also set to show off its Adam ROCKS Concept. The design study is an "urban mini-crossover" that's both wider and taller than the current production Adam. Check out out in the associated gallery, and be sure to take a peek at the quick press release.

Continue reading Opel Adam looking to get dirty with friends

Opel Adam looking to get dirty with friends originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Feb 2013 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Opel curtails plans for Adam EV

Jeffrey N. Ross — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 12:02:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Opel, Electric

With the price premium of electric vehicles still high, Opel is reportedly holding off on development of the Adam EV to avoid giving customers sticker shock. According to Automotive News Europe, Opel was working on an electric version of the Adam minicar that was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, but the price the automaker would have had to charge for the final product was apparently too high to reasonably ask for from customers.

The article says that Opel had already made an Adam EV test mule using components from the electric Chevrolet Spark that goes into production next year. Even using shared technology, however, the anticipated pricing made it a bad business case. Opel's head of sales and marketing, Alfred Rieck laid out the chicken-and-egg scenario, saying that some customers are not willing to pay the higher prices for EVs right now, but that the only thing that will drive the prices down is increased sales.

With this in mind, it will be interesting to see where the Spark EV is priced and how well it does with customers.

Opel curtails plans for Adam EV originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Nov 2012 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Opel Adam is the little hatch to begin a big turnaround

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Opel, Vauxhall

Opel's bottom line suffers from a medical condition called "hemorrhaging" and investment bank Morgan Stanley isn't alone in believing that General Motors should let the German brand go. But they haven't seen the Opel Adam. The diminutive hatch that can come off as a little bulbous up front and busy all over depending on the angle of the photo has a welcoming presence in person. Of course, it's too much to ask that this one petite runabout reverse the fortunes of a company on the wrong side of profitability for more than a decade, but to our eyes, it's a great candidate to lead the charge.

Buyers of the Opel/Vauxhall warrior in the premium subcompact segment get a five-speed manual transmission tied to one of three gasoline engines in 69-, 86- and 99-horsepower classifications. Next year will see the introduction of the three-cylinder engines that GM has developed with its Chinese partner SAIC. In the UK, it will start at around £11,000 ($17k USD including Value Added Tax) and will find space in its tiny frame for features like stop/start, ESP, Hill Start Assist, airbags all around and dual-mode power steering.

The Jam, Glam and Slam trim lines will start hitting streets next year. For now there are high-res galleries and a press release below.

Opel Adam is the little hatch to begin a big turnaround originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Sep 2012 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Opel/Vauxhall Adam zooms into Europe's supermini fray [w/video]

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 11:04:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Videos, Hatchback, Opel, Vauxhall, UK, Design/Style

We've done a triple-take with the Opel/Vauxhall Adam, and after two rounds of grainy spy shots, this third official look brings the car into crisp, clear focus. From the looks of these photos, we like it a bit more than we thought we did initially. Yes, it's got plenty of Audi A1 going on in that greenhouse. Yes, there's a lot going on with sculpting outside and inside. Yes, customers might want to be very careful about how they choose their colors among the more than one million color and trim options - yes, your read that corectly: more than one million. But we'll say again, we like it (though in fairness the front end is likely to divide opinions).

The Adam is a challenger to other premium subcompact hatches like the Mini Cooper and the Fiat 500, and size-wise it's slightly shorter and wider than the Mini and has a slightly shorter wheelbase. To counter the fact that it has taken so long for General Motors to make it happen, the UK price of around £11,000 ($17k USD including Value Added Tax) won't skimp on features: stop/start, ESP, Hill Start Assist, airbags all around and a city steering mode with additional power assistance.

To counter the increasing obsolescence of traditional infotainment and nav systems, the Adam's optional unit will feature a seven-inch screen that plugs into the owner's smartphone and replicates the interface. The owner then has control of his phone via the touchscreen. This mirroring process is becoming more common, but we'll wait for more adoption to see how well it works in places where there's no cell signal and no backup maps on an in-car hard drive.

The four-cylinder gasoline engines available at launch will be taken from the Corsa lineup and paired with a five-speed manual: a 1.2-liter with 69 horsepower and two 1.4-liters, one with 86 hp and one with 99 hp. It will be a year before we see the three-cylinder engines co-developed with SAIC.

And yes, Jam, Glam and Slam will be the trim names. We aren't sure which ones are pictured, but since the trim doesn't appear to be written anywhere on the car, no one has to know. We'll get a better look at it in a few months at the Paris Motor Show, and then on European streets beginning next January. Right now, though, we'd advise you scroll down to watch a couple of Adam videos and check out the official press release.

Continue reading Opel/Vauxhall Adam zooms into Europe's supermini fray [w/video]

Opel/Vauxhall Adam zooms into Europe's supermini fray [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Jul 2012 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Opel Adam hatch caught sans camo

Jeff Sabatini — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Europe, Hatchback, GM, Opel

Two weeks ago we brought you some of the worst spy shots ever, revealing the forthcoming Opel Adam minicar. Today we've got more. These are remarkably better - yet still low res - shots of Opel's long-gestating competitor to the Volkswagen Up!

But hey, they're better than nothing, and at least we've finally got an undisguised look at exactly what Europeans will be getting from the German GM subsidiary when the Adam is revealed at the Paris Motor Show in the fall. We like the overall proportions, the wheels and the contrasting roof. While the front fascia isn't nearly as cute as the Fiat 500, at least it's not scowling. The one thing that rubs us the wrong way, however, is how off the front overhang looks, like it belongs on a larger car.

Of course, the caveat here is that these are hardly beauty shots so we'll not prematurely judge the Adam before we see it out in the real world. Check out all the images in our gallery.

Opel Adam hatch caught sans camo originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Jul 2012 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Opel Adam caught undisguised at a photo shoot

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 16:04:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Budget, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Opel, Electric

The new and not-yet-revealed Opel Adam was taken to a Spanish technology park for a photo shoot, and there it was caught by an unofficial photo crew sent by our sister site Autoblog Spanish. It was described as looking like a cross between an Opel Corsa and an Audi A1 in the metal. There appears to be some French inspiration as well, especially the front end. Unless the light deceives, in-house cribbing comes in the Insignia-like swage line along the door, and we do hope that those wheels are offered on the production version.

A reminder, the Adam is six inches longer than the Volkswagen Up! but still shorter than the Opel Agila. We'd read that the electric version of the hatch had been canceled, but according to Italian site CarPasion.it, the EV will be one of three trim lines: the electric Adam Jam, more elegant Adam Glam and the sporty Adam Slam. Eventually it will have three-cylinder engines co-developed with SAIC underhood, but there could be powerplants from the Corsa line offered at launch.

The Adam should be in showrooms next spring for less than €10,000 ($13,000 USD). Before that, we'll see it unveiled at the Paris Motor Show.

Opel Adam caught undisguised at a photo shoot originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 30 Jun 2012 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Opel dubs upcoming city-car "Adam"

Noah Joseph — Thu, 10 May 2012 18:20:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Opel, Vauxhall, UK

Tiny city cars are becoming a big business in overseas markets. Mercedes-Benz was a pioneer in the segment with the entire Smart brand, Toyota tackles it with the iQ, Volkswagen recently launched the Up! (along with the Skoda and Seat versions that came along with it), and soon Opel and Vauxhall will, as well.

The new city car, snapped last month undergoing testing at the Nürburgring and released in this latest pair of "official" spy shots, promises to give General Motors a slice of the city-car pie. But its nameplate has left us scratching our heads. The project has at times been referred to as the Junior or the Allegra, but has now been officially confirmed to be called the Adam.

The name is an apparent nod to the company's founder, Adam Opel, and in its invasion follows the same formula as the Ferrari Enzo - albeit and the complete opposite end of the spectrum. If this emerges as a new naming trend, we should be looking forward to seeing models like the Ford Henry, Chevrolet Louis, Lamborghini Ferruccio and Porsche Ferdinand flooding showrooms in the near future. Before that, though, expect the Opel Adam to debut at the Paris Motor Show in the fall... hopefully without the camouflage.

Opel dubs upcoming city-car "Adam" originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 May 2012 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Opel Adam a.k.a. Junior a.k.a. Allegra caught on the 'Ring

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:15:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Budget, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Opel, Vauxhall

The new Opel minicar has been so long in gestation that it has worn three names (so far). From the Junior and Allegra, we are now being told that it will now be called the Opel Adam, no doubt a nod to company founder Adam Opel.

Still clothed in enough camo to hide a barn, we can't tell much about how it looks, but with the latest spy shots we do know its sporting chops have been tested at the Nürburgring. That's a necessity since a longer version of the Adam's platform will go under the next Opel/Vauxhall Corsa. Beyond that, we aren't sure what will power it at launch but three-cylinder engines co-developed with SAIC are in the product pipeline. The electric version, however, has reportedly been canned.

At 3.70 meters, the Adam extends 15 cm beyond the Volkswagen Up! but is smaller than the Opel Agila. It is expected to go on sale in the Spring of 2013 for a base price of under €10,000 (Roughly $13,000 USD). If it does, that would be a turnabout from last year when former Opel chief Nick Reilly said the "Junior" would be an upscale mini and cost more than the larger Agila, which currently lists at €10,600 ($14k), but still wouldn't be a competitor to the Mini Cooper.

Stay tuned, for those and other mysteries will begin to be solved on May 8, which is when Opel will officially announce the car. So the rumors say. The showcase reveal will come at this year's Paris Motor Show.

Opel Adam a.k.a. Junior a.k.a. Allegra caught on the 'Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Super-rare Lamborghini finds a new home

Noah Joseph — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 11:26:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Performance, Auctions, Supercars, Lamborghini, Misc. Auto Shows

For the 1968 Brussels Motor Show, legendary design house Bertone took the wraps off of the Lamborghini Miura Roadster. The Miura, one of the earliest exotic supercars, was first unveiled at Turin in 1965 with a body designed by Nuccio Bertone, so who better than him to chop off the roof? Like other Lambo roadsters since, the Bertone Miura was really more of a targa, only while the modern-day Murcielago Roadster's roof might be a pain and a half to put up, at least it has a roof. Bertone's Miura Roadster never had one at all.

While the design was copied by many, only one authentic example was ever produced. The roadster version of the Miura never saw production, and the prototype was sold to a metal consortium as a publicity showcase. It changed hands several times since then, at one time joining the collection at the Boston Museum of Transportation. Now it's fallen into the hands of one lucky collector by the name of Adam Gordon, who recently purchased the prototype raging bull for an undisclosed sum. The New York real estate developer is undertaking a two-year restoration project to bring it back up to original spec.

You can bet Gordon paid big for this car, hailed as the rarest Lamborghini of all time, and will have spent even more by the time the restoration is complete.

[Source: Lamborghini Cars via German Car Blog]

Super-rare Lamborghini finds a new home originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Feb 2007 11:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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