Photo by Kyran O’Brien
The new Opel ADAM ROCKS is all about image and urbanites will love it writes Geraldine Herbert
What is it? The new ADAM ROCKS is, reckons Opel, the first three-door crossover of its size and essentially it is a funky take on the current Adam their city car.
Who is it aimed at? Rivalling the Mini and the Fiat 500, the ADAM ROCKS is not a car which invites indifference.
Styling? At a time when so many small cars look the same, Opel launch one which looks nothing like the rest. Tough looking with off-roader-style bumpers, plastic cladding and a choice of 17-inch or 18-inch alloy wheels, the rugged good looks of the ADAMROCKS are superficial to the core, with no optional four wheel drive, it is city crossover designed to negotiate urban obstacles only. It also sits higher off the road than the standard Adam and comes with a full-length electric folding canvas roof.
Under the Bonnet? Our test car was powered by a 1.0-litre petrol engine that is surprisingly fast, very lively and extremely refined; you will barely hear it when the car is idling. Despite being a three-cylinder engine there is 115 bhp and a substantial 170 Nm of torque to it give plenty of punch – it goes to 100 in 9.9 seconds and on to a 196 km/h top speed. There is also a slick, precise 6 speed gearbox. There is also the option of a 1.4 engine but we think the smaller one is by far the better option.
What about inside? The bold interior perfectly complements the striking exterior design and it is jammed with body-coloured trim inserts and funky touches. In the front, the high roof gives plenty of headroom and it feels spacious and comfortable. Ideal for two plus luggage, room in the rear is particularly tight so best suited for kids or very short friends!
On the Road? In terms of ride, handling and comfort the ROCKS is so much better than the standard Adam. It may not have the driving dynamics of a Mini but handles with a reassuring finesse and predictability and the suspension soaks up bumps
Similar to the Fiat 500C the electrically operated canvas roof is more of a decent sunroof that can be operated at speeds of up to 140km/h, it also doesn’t reduce boot capacity or visibility, However, things in the back are seriously cramped and the 170 litre boot is very small, with a high loading lip and narrow load bay that limits the amount you can carry. That said, the rear seats do fold for accommodating bulkier items.
And Safety? Small and cute certainly doesn’t mean you’re sacrificing safety and there are six airbags to protect you – dual front airbags together with side-impact and curtain airbags and Seatbelt Pretensioners control body movement in a frontal crash pulling the seatbelts tight to ensure maximum protection in combination with the front airbags. The new Opel ADAM ROCKS is also one of the first cars in its class to feature dual seatbelt pretensioners on the front seats.
Options? There are a host of personalisation options to ensure no two ADAM ROCKS look the same including 17 exterior colour choices, three different colours to choose from for the canvas top and specific wheel options.
Will it break the bank? Average fuel economy is impressive too and the ROCKS returns 5.1 litres per 100 with CO2 emissions of 119 g/km so its €200 a year to tax but at €18,995 it’s hard to ignore the high list price, especially once some options have been added. Our test car options inclulded Let it Blue (Two-coat Pearlescent Paint) (€550), Carbon fibre-effect doors mirror (€70), Sight & Light Pack 2 (€200) Automatic lighting control, Rain-sensitive windscreen wipers, IntelliLink Infotainment System (€350) Rear Parking Distance Sensors (€350) and a Winter Pack (€350) so in total the extras came to €1,870.
Verdict? Image is what this car is all about and this fashion statement is clearly aimed at the generation of urbanites who want to stand out from the crowd. The list price is high, room in the back is tight and the boot is minuscule but singletons will relish in its individuality and fitted with a very impressive one litre turbo engine it is good fun to drive. It won’t be to everyone’s taste but Opel may have finally delivered an Adam that truly ROCKS.
Why you’ll buy one? Styling; Super little Engine; Roof
Why you won’t? Pricey; Boot Space
Rivals
Citroen DS3 Cabrio priced from €24,545
Fiat 500C priced from €16,400
Watch our video review below (Video Filming by Kyran O’Brien)
Opel ADAM ROCKS 1.0i (115PS) Turbo Start/Stop
Engine: 999cc, 85kw (115bhp) @4000, 170NM @1800-3700
Max speed: 170km/h
0-100 kph: 9.9 seconds
Emissions (Motor Tax) : 119 g/km (Band A4 €200)
Model price range: €18,995 – (Test Car –€22,865)
No of Doors: 3 doors
Euro NCAP : 4 stars
Fuel type: Petrol
Fuel Economy (combined cycle): 5.1 l/100km (55.4mpg)
Boot Capacity Seats up (down): 170 litres (663)
Car Seats: 2 Isofix fittings in the rear
Length: 3698mm
Width: 1720mm
Height: 1483mm
Wheelbase: 2311 mm
For more information check out Opel.ie, the Opel Ireland Facebook page or follow Opel Ireland on twitter here
Geraldine Herbert
7th April, 2015
