Opel has added a limited edition derivative of the Opel ADAM to its South African line-up, the ADAM Rocks. Inspired by parkour sports, the ADAM Rocks is about self-expression and combines the resilience and agility of a mini-CUV (Cross Utility Vehicle) with the freedom of open air driving. The uniquely charismatic Opel ADAM Rocks, with its tougher and more masculine appearance, is a city sized, rural friendly all-rounder that inspires a whole new breed of urban adventurers.
The ADAM Rocks expands on the ADAM’s persona, with added details such as a swing top canvas roof, increased ride height, chunky cladding around the wheel arches and along the sills, and front and rear skid plates. On one hand it’s a micro-crossover and on the other a free-spirited baby convertible.
The city chic meets country style is apparent on the inside too, with a high-end sound system, comprehensive infotainment system and the ability to customise the cabin to satisfy individual tastes.
The introduction of the ADAM Rocks increases the ADAM’s appeal, deliberately extending it into even more affluent territory. Aimed at trend oriented urban adventurers, the ADAM Rocks offers all the features and accessories of the range topping ADAM Glam with added features and design cues.
“The award winning ADAM has been a big hit with South African consumers since we launched it almost a year ago, averaging sales in excess of 120 units a month. It created a highly viable niche and the Rocks builds on that. The concept of the ADAM required a new set of rules – its own rules – and the Rocks has added a chapter by writing some new ones. The result is a vehicle which we expect it to appeal to young trendsetters who cherish their individuality and creativity.” Says Brian Olson, vice president vehicle sales service and marketing GM Sub-Saharan Africa.
Chassis
The tried and tested McPherson Strut front, and torsion bar rear, suspension systems, have firmly established ADAM as one of the best handling small cars on the road. Redeveloped, and raised by 15 mm, they form the basis of the excellent driveability and road holding of the new ADAM Rocks.. With 225/35/18 tyres, there’s plenty of grip on offer and the precise, electrically-assisted steering means you can accurately judge just how much. For those urban moments, a City Mode increases the power assistance to the steering, making for effortless manoeuvring in traffic.
While 15mm may not sound like a lot, it also adds a modicum of extra visibility on city streets, buying valuable time when it comes to judging what those around you are planning.
Powertrain
As well as an endearing off-beat thrum, Opel’s three-cylinder one litre turbo Ecotec engine gives you more than enough forward thrust, whether you’re making a rapid lane change, cruising from one province to another, or tackling a dusty track to your favourite hiking spot.
The same power plant as fitted to other ADAM and Corsa models, it is a proud example of Opel’s engine-building prowess. Lightweight it may be, but it outperforms many four-cylinder engines of larger capacity.
With impressive headline numbers of 85 kW and 170 Nm, the engine consumes just 5.0 litres/100 km and emissions are a low 115 grams per km, meeting the highest (Euro 6) emission standards. A Start/Stop engine system ensures you don’t waste any of the amber liquid when waiting for the rest of the world to catch up.
With a six-speed manual box drivers have the right gear for every condition and occasion from the super light 37 kilogram transmission.
Interior
Using the luscious ADAM Glam as a starting point, the Rocks is designed to cocoon its occupants. So as well as tactile satisfaction from the touchy-feely bits (witness the metal pedals with rubber studs, the thick-rimmed steering wheel and the gear knob designed to communicate perfectly with the palm of the driver’s left hand), you also get climate control, height adjustable driver’s seat, height and reach adjustable steering column, power windows, cruise control and a split/foldable rear seat for added practicality.
An essential piece of equipment is the high-resolution seven-inch touch screen of Opel’s Intellilink system which sync’s with the user’s phone enabling the driver to listen to music, enable the driver to make use of Apps loaded to their phone (both Android and iOS) and display relevant information on the screen. A number of Apps are pre-loaded, including BringGo navigation and TuneIn internet radio. There’s also a multifunction steering wheel to fast-track many of these processes.
Cabin space is remarkable considering a 2 311mm wheelbase, but the clue lies in a generous body width of 1 807mm, making the Adam a very roomy four-seater. And there are plenty of cupholders, power outlets and USB inputs to go around too.
Safety
When it comes to traditional safety features, there’s a full-house of six airbags – the passenger facing one easily deactivated, plus ISOFIX child seat anchorage, dual seatbelt pretensioners, and of course stability control (ESP). The ADAM in fact boasts ESP Plus, the latest development on a technology which has proven accident-reducing ability. LED daytime running lights are fitted. The all-disc braking system is assisted by ABS and EBD.
And crossing the divide from mere convenience to driver safety are features like rain sensing wipers, headlights which activate automatically as the ambient light reduces, hill start assist, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
Driver Assist Features
Moving the Adam into the realm of features only normally associated with cars with seven-figure price tags is APA2 – Advanced Park Assist. Now you can park like a Boss, because the Rocks will determine whether a parking space is large enough to accommodate the car, and once this has been ascertained and the system activated, the car takes charge of steering duties while instructing the driver as to what needs to be done with the gears, throttle and brakes to physically navigate into the bay.
Also standard is Side Blind Spot Alert, or SBSA. Using ultrasonic waves, sensors constantly monitor and scan rear three-quarter blind spots alerting the driver of anything in a four-metre danger zone. Whether you’re planning to change lane, or just need added awareness as to what is around you (but hidden from view) SBSA will warn the driver with either blinking or solid LED warning lights in the mirror glass.
The Rocks also features Siri Eyes Free, a unique-in-class feature that integrates the Intellilink system with later-generation iPhones and iPads via a USB cable. It activates Apple’s voice control so that you can ask Siri about the weather, where the next fuel station is, and remind her to remind you to pay the electricity bill.
But you won’t need to ask her what the best mini-crossover is in the land, because you’ll already know the answer to that one.
As part of Opel’s complete care package ADAM Rocks comes with a standard five years or 120 000 kilometre warranty, roadside assistance, and 3 years or 60 000 kilometre service plan. Pricing for the ADAM Rocks 1.0T ecoFlex is R 273 400.00
Alan Straton
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