Johannesburg - Opel showed its Mokka and Adam off to South Africans at the Joburg Motor Show last year with the promise that they were “being considered” for our market, yet no concrete promises were made.
Now, following the positive public reaction to the pair, Opel has officially confirmed that the two models are set to go on sale here next year as part of the brand's gradual “resurgence” in South Africa.
There's even more excitement brewing abroad, however, with Opel planning to launch 27 new vehicles by 2018. There's no word yet on which of these is headed our way, but GMSA is promising to increase its local footprint “by introducing competitive and exciting new products in key market segments.”
Let's take a closer look at the two that have been confirmed for now.
OPEL MOKKA
Opel's first entry into the compact SUV market will hit our shores during the second quarter of 2015 to take on the Nissan Juke, Mitsubishi ASX and Peugeot 2008.
Prices, engine line-up and specification will be announced closer to the on-sale date, but GMSA has said that the Mokka will be competitively priced and that all models will be well appointed.
Currently German customers get to choose between three petrol engines - an 85kW 1.6-litre, 103kW 1.4 turbo and 103kW 1.8 - as well as a 96kW 1.7 turbodiesel. However, our bet is on Opel's new 85kW 1-litre three-cylinder turbopetrol sneaking beneath the bonnet by the time the Mokka gets here, especially since GMSA says that the Mokka and Adam will introduce Opel's advanced new powertrain technology to local buyers.
The Mokka is also available with a permanent all-wheel drive system and innovations like adaptive forward lighting and Opel Eye front camera.
OPEL ADAM
Opel describes this little critter as its “first fashionable small urban car” so you might call the Opel Adam something of a 'boutique hatch' designed primarily to take on the Fiat 500, while also aiming to lure trendy buyers out of other premium hatchbacks like the Mini and Citroën DS3. Like the latter, the Adam takes a modern design approach rather than going the retro route like its most direct rival.
As with the Mokka the local line-up remains a secret for now, but we're placing a firm bet on the new 1-litre motor, which is also available in a 66kW version in the new Corsa. In Germany the Adam is also available with a 51kW 1.2 and 64kW 1.4, both normally aspirated.
The Adam's real claim to fame is that it's the most customisable car on the block with “virtually unlimited” customisation possibilities, including two-tone body/roof colour combinations, 31 wheel designs, 15 seat designs, four interior colours, eight ambient lighting set-ups and much more. You can even choose between six interchangeable wheel-clips if that makes your life feel more exciting. How many of these options will be available to South Africans remains to be seen though.
All will be revealed when it goes on sale during the first quarter of next year.