{"id":11155,"date":"2015-04-07T00:06:26","date_gmt":"2015-04-06T23:06:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.wheelsforwomen.ie\/?p=11155"},"modified":"2015-04-07T00:09:40","modified_gmt":"2015-04-06T23:09:40","slug":"opel-adam-rocks-1-0i-115ps-turbo-startstop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wheelsforwomen.ie\/index.php\/opel-adam-rocks-1-0i-115ps-turbo-startstop\/","title":{"rendered":"Opel ADAM ROCKS 1.0i (115PS) Turbo Start\/Stop"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Photo by Kyran O’Brien<\/p><\/div>\n

The new Opel ADAM ROCKS is all about image and urbanites will love it writes Geraldine Herbert<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

What is it?<\/strong> \u00a0The new ADAM ROCKS \u00a0\u00a0is, reckons Opel, the first three-door crossover of its size and essentially it is a funky take on the current Adam their city car.<\/p>\n

Who is it aimed at? <\/strong>Rivalling the Mini and the Fiat 500, the ADAM ROCKS \u00a0\u00a0is not a car which invites indifference.<\/p>\n

Styling?<\/strong> 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 \u00a0\u00a0are superficial to the core, with no optional four wheel drive, it is city crossover\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

Under the Bonnet?<\/strong> 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.\u00a0 Despite being a three-cylinder engine there is 115 bhp and a substantial 170 Nm of torque to it give plenty of punch \u2013 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.<\/p>\n

What about inside?<\/strong> 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!<\/p>\n

On the Road?<\/strong> In terms of ride, handling and comfort the ROCKS \u00a0is so much better than the standard Adam.\u00a0 It may not have the driving dynamics of a Mini but handles with a reassuring finesse and predictability and the suspension soaks up bumps<\/p>\n

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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

And Safety? \u00a0<\/strong>Small and cute certainly doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re sacrificing safety and there are six airbags to protect you \u2013 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 \u00a0\u00a0is also one of the first cars in its class to feature dual seatbelt pretensioners on the front seats.<\/p>\n

Options?<\/strong> There are a host of personalisation options to ensure no two ADAM ROCKS \u00a0look the same including 17 exterior colour choices, three different colours to choose from for the canvas top and \u00a0specific wheel options.<\/p>\n

Will it break the bank? <\/strong>Average fuel economy is impressive too and the ROCKS \u00a0returns 5.1 litres per 100 with CO2 emissions of 119 g\/km so its \u20ac200 a year to tax but at \u20ac18,995 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)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (\u20ac550), Carbon fibre-effect doors mirror\u00a0 (\u20ac70), Sight & Light Pack 2 (\u20ac200) Automatic lighting control, Rain-sensitive windscreen wipers, IntelliLink Infotainment System (\u20ac350)\u00a0 Rear Parking Distance Sensors (\u20ac350) and a Winter Pack (\u20ac350) so in total the extras came to \u20ac1,870.<\/p>\n

Verdict?<\/strong> 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\u2019t be to everyone\u2019s taste but Opel may have finally delivered an Adam that truly ROCKS.<\/p>\n

Why you\u2019ll buy one? <\/strong>Styling; Super little Engine; Roof<\/p>\n

Why you won\u2019t? <\/strong>Pricey; Boot Space<\/p>\n

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Rivals<\/strong><\/p>\n

Citroen DS3 Cabrio<\/a> priced from \u20ac24,545<\/p>\n

Fiat 500C <\/a>\u00a0priced from \u20ac16,400<\/p>\n

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Watch our video review below<\/strong>\u00a0(Video Filming by Kyran O\u2019Brien<\/em>)<\/p>\n

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