By: IOL Motoring Staff
Port Elizabeth - It may not be a "Boss" Kadett, but the Opel Adam S, about to hit the road in South Africa, can lay claim to some of the same genes.
Just 50 of these attitudinous little hatchbacks have been allocated for the South African market, where they will slot in right at the top of the Adam range.
Hello ladies, my name's (Opel) Adam
At the heart of the matter is a 1.4-litre Ecotec turbopetrol four, rated at 110kW and 220Nm, thanks to dual cam-phasing for continuously variable valve timing, and a turbo housing built into the exhaust manifold - which not only saves weight but also puts the impeller as close as possible to the combustion chambers where the power is generated, so as reduce energy losses along the way.
The Adam S weighs only 1178kg ready to go, giving it a power to weight ratio of 93kW per ton - good enough for a 0-100km/h getaway in 8.5 seconds and a top speed of 210km/h.
Nominal fuel consumption under laboratory conditions is quoted at 5.9 litres per 100km; good luck with matching that.
It rolls on uprated suspension - stiffer front anti-roll bar and springs, more rigid torsion beam rear axle - and five-spoked 18 inch 'Propeller' rims with reduced offset for a wider track (1472 front, 1464 rear) shod with 225/35 radials, over 380mm discs and matching red-painted high-performance callipers inherited from the previous generation Corsa OPC.
BELLS AND WHISTLES
Three colour schemes are available - white with red roof and pillars, metallic silver with red upper works and red with slate grey pillars and roof. Each comes with a complete aero kit - which is not for show; it generates 100kg of downforce at full tilt boogie.
The S trim is based on the Adam Jam Xtreme, so it comes with climate control, cruise control, power windows, height and reach adjustable steering column, rear parking sensors, blind sport alert, Intellilink and Siri Eyes Free as standard issue.
Unique to the S, however, are high-back Recaro sports seats trimmed in a moroccana and fabric mix, with slots already in place for a full racing harness, rubber-studded pedals and thick-rimmed steering wheel.
And there's one more special feature: a button that completely deactivates the electronic stability programme so you can let it all hang out on track days.
YOU HAD TO ASK
The Opel Adam S retails for R330 000, which includes a five-year or 120 000km warranty and a three-year or 60 000km service plan.
Jesse Adams (no relation!) of our sister print publication was at the South African media launch; stay tuned for his driving impressions.