Opel Adam debuts as new premium-supermini entry

The Opel Adam has just been revealed, ready to take on the ever-burgeoning premium-supermini market started by the BMW Mini. Named after Adam Opel, the founder of the original German company before it got bought out by General Motors, the Opel Adam offers more than one million combinations of colours and trim options.

Engines include a 69 hp 1.2-litre, a 86 hp 1.4-litre and a 99 hp 1.4-litre, all 4-cylinder units mated to a 5-speed manual. Next year, a 3-cylinder co-developed by the Chinese SAIC will be available.

The Adam is slightly shorter and wider than the Mini Cooper, and has a slightly shorter wheelbase. Features include stop/start, stability control, hill start assist, multiple airbags and a city steering mode with additional power assistance. Options include a 7-inch navigation/multimedia screen that can mimic the driver’s connected smartphone interface. Trim levels have hilarious names, such as Jam, Glam and Slam.

The Adam, to be sold under Opel and Vauxhall badges, will debut at the Paris Motor Show, and hit European streets beginning next January. It is unfortunate that GM has chosen to abandon the Opel brand in the GCC.