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The Opel Adam is sunshine and behaves well with the TÜV.
Perhaps the cutest Opel in recent years had to say goodbye: Adam. The reason for this was the change in ownership from GM to PSA. The French wanted space for their own micro and small cars and the Adam was based on a relatively large GM construction kit. So in 2019 the end came for the little speedster launched in 2013, which delighted many buyers with its shapes and customization options.
Perfect for the city
The Adam, which technically is actually a heavily trimmed Corsa, with its length of only 3,70 meters comes into almost every parking space. The three-door is available in classic form and as "Rocks". Here the short one imitates the design of SUVs and mutates into a cute little bear. Otherwise, the little one lets its charm play through its shape and joy of colors.
The space is divided into two parts. In front there is little to complain about, in the back only children sit better. Or you can leave the back seat as a shelf for jackets and bags. The trunk holds at least 170 liters, enough for two large crates of drinks. A maximum of 670 liters of luggage fit into the Adam. If you want to invite, you also train your arm muscles at the same time. The loading sill is quite high. The interior makes a high-quality impression. There is no plastic desert awaiting the occupants, but an appealing design and optically and haptically convincing materials.
Can also be quick
The three four-cylinder petrol engines offered from the start produce 51 kW / 70 PS, 64 kW / 87 PS and 74 kW / 100 PS and are linked to a manual five-speed gearbox. Since 2014, a 1,0-liter three-cylinder in the expansion stages with 66 kW / 90 PS and 85 kW / 115 PS has been available. The turbo is quite lively, with consumption of 4,2 to 4,9 liters, around half a liter below the figures for the four-cylinder units. As an alternative, the 87 hp engine is also available as a variant with LPG. If you want a little more: As an “S”, the Adam has 110 kW / 150 PS, the 1,4-liter turbo offers 220 Nm and a top speed of 210 km / h. There are also disc brakes at the rear for better deceleration properties.
Different variants offer more convenience
For the Adam, Opel has launched a very large variety of offers. Customization is the key, to the delight of buyers and dealers, to the annoyance of controllers. Even in the base, the little one has a decent amount of basic equipment with a radio, electric window lifters and a radio remote control for the central locking. Air conditioning is missing here, however. If you want more, you have to choose between the variants “Jam”, “Glam” and “Slam”. We recommend the “Intellilink” infotainment system with a seven-inch touchscreen on which smartphone apps can be mirrored via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Used car buyers have to be particularly patient when it comes to working their way through the countless customization options that the Adam offers. From two-tone paintwork to a checkerboard pattern headliner or a headliner with LED lights - Rolls Royce sends its regards - many a used Adam reveals one or two surprises. There is also a pull-out bicycle drawer in the rear and an electric folding roof for the smallest in the Opel portfolio. There is almost nothing that is not there.
When it comes to safety, Adam is in a good position. In 2013, the Euro NCAP crash test gave it four out of five stars - a solid result for a small car.
Quality
So far, the inspectors have found only a few points of criticism in the TÜV main inspection. Brakes, chassis, lighting or the engine are mostly inconspicuous. When it comes to the chassis, however, the relationship to the Corsa is revealed. Adam has problems with springs and damping. Interested parties should also watch out for possible oil loss. Every now and then there are specimens that like to mess up.
Conclusion
Anyone looking for a small car with character has come to the right place with Adam. The competitor to Audi A1, Mini or Fiat 500 scores with chic exterior and interior and good behavior at TÜV. From around 4.500 euros, interested parties will find what they are looking for in the sales portals.
