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By Rebaneilwe Semakane

Recently I got the opportunity to spend time with the Opel Adam 1.0T. At first glance, this car really catches your eye. It is low in stance, compact and has quite a bold design. The Adam goes head to head with the Fiat 500 and the Citroen D3 (which is no longer offered in South Africa), and is Opel’s offering in the luxury supermini segment. To be quite honest, this car has the potential to sweep the floor with its rivals.

Exterior

The Adam has an unorthodox styling but, it works really well. It has LED daytime running lights both on the front and rear as a means to improve road safety. The design of the car has a bug-like shape with a flat rear and incredibly long passenger doors for accessing the rear seats. Opening them in tight spaces may be a little tricky so you have to be vigilant in those situations. Nevertheless, my unit was incredibly cute. I loved the grey colour that also complimented the grey rims. Come to think of it, it reminds me of a little Batman. Perhaps he would use it as his Batmobile?

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Interior

One of the highlights of this car has to be the interior. It’s highly comfortable and the materials used are of good quality. The infotainment system is easy to use but I didn’t like its positioning, it’s quite low and could make your eyes wander off the road as you attempt to operate it. The sound system is actually decent too. The Adam is equipped with a blind-spot monitoring feature which came in handy whilst driving in the city and on highways. Further aiding the driving process is lane keep and cruise control with a speed limiter. There are two driving modes, namely Eco and City. I wished there was “Sport” to complement the perky engine but in this economic climate, I was for the most part driving in Eco. There is also a park-assist feature and even though it has no rear view camera, it works very well by allowing the car to park itself. The trip monitor could have better graphics but nonetheless, I was glad I could read what’s on it. Based on the interior alone, and although some features are optional, it is safe to say that the Adam is one car from Opel that speaks volumes about the brand quality of Opel. The car is in essence a four seater but getting in and out of the rear is a hassle. The front seats could fold better to allow for easier access to the back. Although there is generous legroom upfront, it is very cramped at the back. Tall people will not enjoy being back there.  Boot space is fairly okay, compared to its rivals. At first glance you’d think it’s very small but it will suffice in carrying groceries and light luggage for a weekend away.

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Drive

This car is absolutely fun to drive. The ride is firm and quick. The Adam takes on corners with a lot of ease. The car is nippy, agile and literally zips through traffic so effortlessly, thanks to that turbo charged engine that really packs a punch. The engine produces 85kw and 170Nm and that is very decent for a car of this calibre. Opel claims a fuel efficiency of 5.1l/100Km, but I did 7.6l/100Km which was surprising as this car is a 1.0l and fairly light. Being someone who’s driven mainly hatchbacks, this was a new experience. I had never been in something so different prior to this Adam. The Adam is perfect for young people and couples who want something affordable and out of the norm. It really is a city car with personality.