Vauxhall/Opel’s new style-led city car will be called Adam. The new car, which had been known as Junior up until now, is tipped to be unveiled at the Paris motor show in September. It will go on sale early next year as Vauxhall’s answer to the Mini and Fiat 500.
The ‘Junior’ name was considered for the production model. However, Vauxhall decided that it was “not mature enough” for the car, which aims to give an image boost to the Vauxhall brand as it looks to escape the middle ground and head upmarket.
The ‘Adam’ name was therefore settled upon, with Vauxhall saying that it has the added bonus of getting people talking about the car and polarising opinion.
“Adam has a mature character; it’s universal without being neutral,” said Vauxhall. “It’s something you’ll definitely have an opinion on.”
Vauxhall has confirmed that the Adam will be just 3.7m long, the same as the current Mini. It has accompanied the naming announcement with an official ‘spy’ pic that reveals the three-door, four-seat hatchback’s wide, squat and sporty stance. Mules have also been spotted at the Nürburging.
Design features include a convex rear window reminiscent of the original Ford Ka’s, and an arched roofline in the style of an Audi A1. Officially, Vauxhall describes its looks as “muscular and sporty”.The brief for the Adam has been to create a car that’s “chic and witty”, and one that doesn’t necessarily place an emphasis on functionality.
It will be highly customisable inside and out, like the Mini and 500, and despite its compact dimensions it will “not be cheap or low budget, just small”.
Vauxhall said: “It’s something a bit different for us and the market.” It is likely to command a price premium over the larger Corsa.
Underneath the Adam is General Motors’ new small car platform that has been designed in Korea. It is also set to appear beneath the next-generation Corsa. Engineering has taken place in Germany and the Adam will be exclusively built at Opel’s Eisenach plant.
The core engine range will be new economy-focused three-cylinder petrol and diesel units. However, insiders have previously confirmed that the engine bay has been designed in two different sizes to house larger, sportier four-cylinder engines. An all-electric version is also planned for 2015.
