Review Vauxhall Adam (2013)


 
Vauxhall Adam, the stylish urban-chic newcomer, is poised to take the fashion-led A-sector by storm when it arrives in the UK in early 2013. With over a million different specification and trim combinations, Adam introduces unprecedented levels of personalisation into this style conscious segment, giving every customer the chance to create a truly bespoke Adam reflecting their individual style and personality.

The all-new funky three-door hatchback measures 3.70 metres in length and 1.72 metres in width, seats four people comfortably, and is Vauxhall's first entrant into a segment which has grown by 30 per cent since 2000. Adam continues Vauxhall's rapid product offensive which will see four incremental segment introductions in just 18 months (Ampera, Mokka, Adam and upcoming Cascada). Keenly positioned within the segment, prices range from £11,255 (Adam JAM 1.2-litre 70PS) up to £14,000 (Adam SLAM 1.4-litre 100PS).

Personalisation begins with the selection of one of three trim levels - Adam JAM (fashionable/colourful) - Adam GLAM (elegant/sophisticated) and Adam SLAM (racy/sporty). The next level of customisation comes with the addition of option packs, and from here the possibilities are virtually endless, with the choice of 12 body colours, 15 seat designs, 20 alloy wheel styles, three printed headliners and no less than 18 interior décor panels, to mention just a few.
DESIGN

Unlike other rivals in the segment, the Vauxhall Adam bucks the trend and moves away from retro-based design opting instead for a fresh striking execution with a clear focus on innovation, personalisation and quality.

Moving to the name badge, normally you would find this on the rear of the car but with Adam it is positioned at the end of the chrome 'signature' window moulding on the rear pillar adding to its unique appeal. State of the art LED lights are also found at both the front and rear - a first in the fashion-led A-sector adding to Adam's premium feel.

Undoubtedly fresh and new, Adam clearly retains Vauxhall's award winning sculptural design DNA. The blade featured in the lower door and the crisp 'shock wave' around the handles is reminiscent of the Astra GTC; the wing-shaped chrome grille bar reflects New Astra and the headlamps featuring wing-shaped daytime running lights are also typical Vauxhall design features.

Inside the cabin the premium feel continues to deliver on Adam's upmarket exterior promise. Sculptured harmonious surfaces and graceful flowing lines, synonymous with Vauxhall Adam's bigger brothers the Insignia, Meriva and Astra, complement the all new premium clock-like instrument displays and chrome bezeled switches.

INDIVIDUALISATION - EXTERIOR

Adam's three trim levels - JAM (fashionable /colourful), GLAM (elegant/sophisticated) and SLAM (racy/sporty) are merely the starting point for a high degree of personalisation.

Customers then have the choice of 12 uniquely named body colours, such as 'I'll be Black', 'Papa don't Peach', 'Purple Fiction', 'James Blonde', 'Saturday White Fever' and 'Buzz Lightgreen'.

INDIVIDUALISATION - INTERIOR

Vauxhall Adam's cabin, if anything, has an even higher potential for personalisation than its exterior, so this section simply provides a broad overview of just some of the highlights.

There is a choice of four base colours: Black, Cocoa, Purple and White. These combine with 15 different seat trims which are offered in a broad choice of materials and colours.

Customers can then choose one of 18 different décor panels for the facia and doors surrounds. These panels can be ordered separately meaning that, like the wheel clips, Vauxhall Adam's interior can be constantly tailored to suit the changing taste of the owner, or subsequent owners. Among the 18 panels, 11 are painted to complement the exterior colour, eight are covered with a premium foil featuring decorative patterns of which two 'Silver Fireflies' and 'Gold Fireflies' are backlit by LED's giving a soft glowing appearance - another industry first for Vauxhall.

This exclusive design element is combined with the ambient lighting package which illuminates the door pockets, centre console and passenger footwell. As part of this package, seven different coloured lighting settings can be selected at the touch of a button. Owners have the freedom to pick just one of the eight colours which include red, two amber tones, yellow, green, blue, ice blue and white to light the cabin. If they can't decide, they can switch the setting to continuously change through the spectrum of colours. Again this underscores Adam's virtually unlimited potential for personalisation.

CHASSIS

With its chassis geared towards agile driving dynamics, the Vauxhall Adam is not just at home on city streets but also on country roads. The compact wheelbase of 2,311mm is combined with an impressively wide tread of 1,472mm in the front and 1,464mm in the rear giving Adam its solid stance on the road and excellent stability.

The chassis - with MacPherson struts at the front and compound crank at the rear - was developed for crisp agility and optimal handling in the city without making any compromises in the country road driving dynamics. UK Adam's will also benefit from a UK-specific steering system which has been tuned specifically for the UK roads.

At the same time, Vauxhall Adam's low center of gravity makes it grip the road, especially in tight curves. Dampers were tuned to the challenges of city driving. Wheel sizes range from 16" to 18", and cars that are specified with 17" or 18" rims come standard with a more tensed Sport chassis which delivers an even crisper steering feeling.

ENGINES

Vauxhall Adam is initially offered with three efficient petrol engines - 1.2-litre 70PS, 1.4-litre 87PS and 1.4-litre 100PS. All are mated to a five-speed manual transmission and can be specified with an ecoFLEX technology pack that further enhances their efficiency. The 1.4-litre units provide maximum torque of 130Nm at 4,000 rpm; the 100PS version accelerates from 0- 60mph in just 11.5 seconds and has a top speed of 115mph. The ecoFLEX technology pack includes a Start/Stop system with a high-performance battery, heavy-duty starter, optimised generator and an 'eco' switch allowing its activation or de-activation; in addition, it also features an Eco Drive Assistant that monitors energy consumption and indicates when to shift up. The Ecoflex's 16" wheels and special low-rolling resistance tyres complete the package and help the Adam achieve exceptional frugality in the combined cycle. The Adam 1.2 ecoFLEX has fuel consumption of 56.5mpg with CO2 emissions as low as 118 g/km while both 1.4 ecoFLEX models consume 55.4mpg and have emissions of just 119 g/km.

SPECIFICATION AND PRICING

Vauxhall Adam not only provides more individuality than its competitors, with a high level of standard equipment and affordable options, it also offers more car for the money.

Take Adam JAM - for just £11,255 it gets, 16inch Horns alloy wheels, leather wrapped steering wheel, air conditioning, CD player with USB facility and aux-in socket, DMB digital radio, bluetooth connectivity, trip computer and cruise control all as standard. Moving up to GLAM from just £12,650 it gets all of the equipment as seen on the JAM plus climate control, 16inch vintage alloys, a fixed glazed sunroof and LED daytime running lights and tail lamps. Moving up again SLAM adds the 17inch hurricane wheels, a two tone roof pack, Morracana seats and sports suspension all for just £13,150.

The extensive option list also proves that customisation no longer has to cost the earth. Affordable options such as printed headliners (£100), the interchangeable décor panels (£70), the state of the art-IntelliLink system (£275) and the ambient lighting package (£125) to mention just a few.

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