ROAD TEST: Opel Adam Rocks 1.0T
By: Jesse Adams
Johannesburg - Here we go again with another review of a normal hatchback with a slight crossover twist.
Opel’s new Adam Rocks follows the popular recipe to a tee. Stick on some plastic body cladding, raise ride height a few mils, throw words like “rural” and “country” and “adventure” into the mix, and presto... an exciting new model is born.
It’s a fashionable trend employed by many carmakers these days, and while I’m normally the first to criticise the added cost with no real added value of these crossified hatches, the Rocks takes a somewhat different approach. At R287 100 this Adam is R39 300 dearer than the next version down range, the Adam Glam, but for the money you do get some added features for the extra money.
OPENING UP
The biggest of these is a ‘swing top’ canvas roof which Opel says offers the freedom of open-air driving. It’s a nifty addition, and it peels back in layers and folds like an old-school Webasto top.
It is, however, a little noisy at high speed when closed, and in reality just another variety of large sunroof – an option which is available in the Glam model anyway.
It has a booming six-speaker Infinity stereo system that also isn’t available in other Adams, and while its crystal clear sound quality is without a doubt worth some extra dosh, a small boot-mounted subwoofer does contribute to the fact that there’s no spare wheel. All three lower-spec Adams come with space-saver spares.
STICK TO STREETS
And while on the wheel topic, the Rocks is the only one of four derivatives to come with a low-profile 18-inch combo as standard. They look great, and five clip-off plastic embellisher pieces on each wheel can be customised with unique colours and graphics; but it’s strange that the one model that Opel boasts can carry on when the tarmac ends, is the one with the least offroad-friendly wheel setup. Opel’s local website actually shows a picture of an Adam Rocks with one wheel perched upon a pavement, but with only 55mm of sidewall protection (I measured), I wouldn’t advise replicating this feat.
FUN FACTOR
Foibles aside, the Rocks is a likable little runabout overflowing with fun-factor and cheek. It’s based on Opel’s own Corsa, but with a shortened chassis and shrunken overall dimension perfect for weaving through traffic and nipping into tight parking bays. Though not in any way classified as a hot hatch (a sporty Adam S is being launched this week), its dinky wheelbase and relatively stiff springs make for spritely handling characteristics, with which it’s hard to resist taking tight gaps in daily robot-to-robot warfare. It might be a tad bobbly on rough surfaces, more so than the surefooted Corsa anyway, but overall ride quality isn’t bad at all.
We’ve commended Opel for raising its build-quality game recently but the Adam takes interior refinement to a whole new level. The cabin’s general theme is moody black, and a wide variety of high-end finishes give a very upmarket ambience.
There are still a few scratchy plastic panels in less conspicuous places, but the dashboard’s made with a soft-touch rubbery substance on top and finished in a space-age-looking material across its centre facia. Think Nasa meets Louis Vuitton.
GADGETS & APPS
At centre stage is a 7-inch colour touchscreen, similar to those in other General Motors cars, where all multimedia controls happen. It’s a reasonably intuitive interface for Bluetooth- or USB-connected smartphones, but I did have to manually switch off the (standard) park-assist system to access music displays after every start-up. This Intellilink system is also pre-loaded with apps for internet radio and navigation, but be warned these all chow data straight from your phone and could be expensive to use regularly.
Opel calls the Adam a roomy four-seater, but that’s a white lie to be honest. Back seat usage would be for quick hops at best, even for short-legged kiddies.
The boot’s also hilariously small, and though no specific capacity is quoted, I can confirm that three, maybe four plastic shopping bags is pretty much its cargo-carrying limit. I lifted the relatively high floor panel with hopes of finding a second, deeper stowage nook, but all that’s underneath is the aforementioned subwoofer and a puncture repair kit.
WILLING MOTOR
Under the Rocks’ snubby nose is the same charmer of a 1-litre Ecotec motor as used in the lower Adam Jam and Glam derivatives. This tiny turbo three-cylinder, also used in some Corsas, comes with 85kW and 170Nm outputs, but the numbers hardly tell the story. It’s a willing little engine with almost no turbolag, and a surprising amount of torque from low revs means you can hang onto higher gears without the need to stir the six-speed manual box for uphills or overtakes.
Average petrol consumption is claimed at 5 litres per 100km, but we saw closer to 7 over a week long test.
That is with plenty of airconditioning though, and still very good considering the performance on offer.
VERDICT
This is a cute little three-door hatch dripping with glitz, even if some of the Rocks’ specific addenda is just there for show.
It’s smaller but pricier than the Corsa it’s based on, so if cheap space is what you’re after then look elsewhere.
The Adam Rocks is remarkably fun to drive, and its superb interior finishes certainly elevate perceived quality way beyond the small city car norm. Yes, I said city car. A rural country adventurer this is not, despite what Opel might say.
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FACTS
Opel Adam Rocks 1.0T
Engine: 1-litre, 3-cylinder turbopetrol
Gearbox: 6-speed manual
Power: 85kW @ 5000-6000rpm
Torque: 170Nm @ 1800-4800rpm
0-100km/h (claimed): 9.9 seconds
Top speed (claimed): 196km/h
Price: R287 100
Warranty: 5-year/120 000km