Vauxhall Adam work of genius or the stupidist car ever

[PaulMoor]

I have been seeing adverts for the Vauxhall Adam and I must admit it completely passed me by. By the looks of it for good reason. It is clearly not a PH car. It's very much a fashion item but without the charm of the Mini or Fiat 500.

However, it got me thinking, is this something we want to see more of? No more "I'm sorry sir, Spangle Flash Umber is only avalable on the SE model" or "Well sir, I'm afraid the 18" sport design R alloys are only on the 1.8 diesel, 1.4 and 2.0 petrol, not on the 1.6 petrol"?

Also , between this and the Toyobaru, are car makers finaly listening to car buyers? The Adam is aimed at a market that couldn't give a flying **** if their car is capable of rounding the 'ring 0.08 seconds faster than its competitors, or that it is £2.75 a year cheaper to run. The same with the Toyobaru, but for very diffrent reasons.

Have they started to realise that what most car buyers want is something that brings them joy, for whatever reason, and dose whatever job you need it to, not something that extracts the last 0.001% from the technology, be that in terms of power, MPG or load space? I do hope so.

Or, is it trying too hard for its own good and going to die as people don't want that much choice in something "non enthusiast"?

Edited by PaulMoor on Friday 8th March 14:57

[Krikkit]

More power with the options list is a good thing imo - I've never specced a new car for myself (outside the internet I mean), but explaining why certainly wheel/tyre/paint combo's aren't available to friends when they do is a maddening task.

[TonyHetherington]

Odd you had this thought - I had the exact same one on the way to work this morning

[ajprice]

Haven't seen one on the road, but I've seen the ads, and there are these at Geneva show...

Adam Rocks concept http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/06/opel-gets-cross...


Adam R2 rally car...
http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/07/opel-adam-r2-ra...


...based on the Cup track racer version
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/5353/Opel-Adam-...


and a rally version based on the Cup car. So they are pushing it pretty hard, as a motorsport car as well as a Mini/500 alternative.

[swisstoni]

I like Vauxhalls and think they are underrated but this thing wants a piece of the Fiat 500 action so much it hurts. To me it just says wannabe.

[chrisw666]

If it appeals to those who want to personalise their car, and want something more commonly known and cheaper than the Mini or 500 its a good thing for the company.

I find it odd that ford chose to make something from the 500's underpinnings that looks like it was designed for Oaps.

[Bjam99]

It looks weird.

[aka_kerrly]

Why call it ADAM?

I saw one review of it which described it as a mechanical handbag which made me chuckle, could mechanical handbag be the new term to slate any city car?!!

[ajprice]

aka_kerrly said:

Why call it ADAM?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Opel

[Crafty_]

aka_kerrly said:

Why call it ADAM?

Its not a Vauxhall.
Its an Opel.
Since the demise of the Cavalier and Kadett GM has striven to badge cars with the same name worldwide.

It is named after this chap http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Opel
Worked for Ferrari - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enzo_Ferrari_(automob...

[mnkiboy]

The engine range looks pretty disappointing. No turbo option, and none of them are particularly economical or clean. Comes across as a bit of a half-arsed effort.

Don't see any reason to pick one of these over a MINI or 500. I'm sure in a year there will be some very healthy discounts on the Adam, as it fails to hit projected sales figures.

[Crafty_]

Probably no turbo option to maintain sales of Corsa Sri/Sxi/Vxr

[soad]

ajprice said:

This I do like.

[swisstoni]

Crafty_ said:

Its not a Vauxhall.
Its an Opel.
Since the demise of the Cavalier and Kadett GM has striven to badge cars with the same name worldwide.

It is named after this chap http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Opel
Worked for Ferrari - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enzo_Ferrari_(automob...

Well it took me about 3 seconds to google some Vauxhall Adams

[C.A.R.]

I think the name is ridiculous (and the trim level names for that matter)

However I think it looks like one of the best cars in class. The Mini is much like the first BMW effort only more bloated, the Fiat looks a bit odd to me and the KA looks too tall. I think the Adam looks well-designed, particularly that rally car concept...

[aka_kerrly]

ajprice said:

aka_kerrly said:

Why call it ADAM?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Opel

Cheers,

Can we assume then that within a few years the Vauxhall will be called:

Wiki said:

Adam and Sophia had five sons - Carl, Wilhelm, Heinrich, Friedrich, and Ludwig

[JREwing]

I do feel that they should have given the Vauxhall a different name. I never remember it being problematic when Astra was Kadett, Nova was Corsa, Cavalier was Vectra etc.
It is a terrible name. I quite like the car, although I won't buy one.

[Crafty_]

aka_kerrly said:

Cheers,

Can we assume then that within a few years the Vauxhall will be called:

Wiki said:

Adam and Sophia had five sons - Carl, Wilhelm, Heinrich, Friedrich, and Ludwig

Liking the sound of a Ludwig VXR already !

the Adam does break the "rule" of Opel/Vx names though:

Corsa
Astra
Vectra
Insignia
Meriva
Zafira
Ampera
Antara

VXR8 / Monaro / VX200 the other exceptions.

[blank]

Had one for the evening a few weeks ago.

It was yellow. With white stick on bits. I felt a bit embarrassed.


Not a bad little car though. Engines are a bit weak and it only handles well with weight in but the funky-ness is strong!

[TameRacingDriver]

I've seen one in the flesh. I wouldn't have one, but I think it looked fairly funky. Don't see how its much different to that Citroen DS thingy. I can see girls liking it. Looks better than a 500 / Mini to these eyes; At least it's a (semi) original design, rather than just shamelessly stealing off some old retro cars.