Spy Shots

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

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.

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