They call it the first A-segment CUV in the world, which should be enough to make you run in the opposite direction. An SUV the size of a Fiat 500 is something that should never exist on the planet, I want to live. But surprisingly, after conducting for a week, I realized that it can, in fact, a point and a purpose
And I came near to answer the crucial question -. Opel Adam Rocks would make a good David Buick? Or would it be better to import something bigger?
Being European and an automotive journalist, I'm not a big fan of crossovers. I prefer my hatchbacks and wagons to sit down, how they are supposed to, and not try to be something they are not. Some cars have increased - Volvo XC70 and Škoda Octavia Scout come to mind - are better than the standard versions, but these are the exceptions
So why do a CUV on a small car.? Why would anyone want a hatchback city off-road? What is the point of putting plastic sleeve and lifted the suspension on a car that will probably spend his life on the boulevards?
To answer these questions, I borrowed an Opel Adam Rocks for a week. In marketing language, Adam Rocks is a CUV based on the Opel Adam - meaning that someone put some plastic on already expensive, very small car, lifted its suspension of 15 mm (a little more half an inch), added a hood sliding canvas and called a new car, massively increasing the price in the process.
The interesting part is Adam himself is not exactly a cheap car. Depending on the market, it costs about the same as the one-size-largest Corsa or a few thousand more. In the Czech Republic, it is almost as expensive as the Astra family sedan (which is that of the Verano is based on). Unlike the Volkswagen Up, Renault Twingo and Peugeot 108, it is not supposed to be transporting the cheap city. It is designed to be stylish and to go after the Fiat 500 and Citroen DS3 and after the people who bought the Mini before it in the Maxi.
Judging by what I see in the streets, it did not work, but because Czechs have not really warmed to the concept of a small expensive car and buy Škoda Fabias instead. In Western Europe, it is apparently a commercial success, which has emboldened the Opel marketing department to think of other ways to milk money from their cash cow A segment. Or at least I think it was the marketing department. Cause I can not imagine an engineer inventing such a thing as Adam Rocks.
There may also be a good way to capitalize on the American obsession with CUVs and love the little Adam to a new audience on the new continent; maybe even improve CAFE numbers for fleet Buick trucks.
So I did my usual thing and thought I'm driving a Buick David instead of Adam Opel. Is work such a thing? Could it improve the image of Buick? Is it better to make a Buick of the largest, cheapest Corsa instead?
Surprisingly, the last question was the easiest. The new Corsa is presented as "new", but it really is an old model with a duckface stuck to the front and new technology. The engine is brilliant (more on that later), but overall, it's just an average small European hatchback. It is not as good at playing the "big car" thing as Škoda Fabia, and is much less fun to drive than Mazda2. And it is too close to the Aveo in most regions.
Thus, Adam, it is. But would it work? Adam Rocks and would be better than normal?
I am very skeptical about this, but it took only a few miles across Prague first change my opinion. Prague, being a big, old and crowded capital, really terrible road surfaces. And while the raised suspension probably will not help you in all your off-road adventures, it helps on the cobblestones, tram tracks and other urban obstacles. Even the fancy (and ugly at the same time) wheels 17 ", Adam was comfortable enough - or at least as comfortable as you can reasonably expect from a car with a wheelbase of a matchbox It still rocks. and bobs on the road undulations, but it is quite smooth, all things considered. and on reasonable wheels (15 inches would be great), it would be very comfortable.
Unlike the Corsa, which is characterized by the tendency of the rear-hop and jumping on broken surfaces so it loses contact with the road, the Adam Rocks is very sophisticated and well mannered. management is too loud, but otherwise the Adam Rocks is a beautiful car dart around, especially because of the wonderful engine.
one liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine is probably the feature of Adam is less likely to appear on the US market, but it is also the best part of the package. I like Downsized turbocharged engines in small cars, a lot. I loved the first EcoBoost 1.0, and I'm quite fond of VAG 1.2 TSI. But this one is the best I've driven so far. As EcoBoost or the TSI, has plenty of grunt in the low and mid range, and it is even smoother than the line of the three Ford. At the same time, it is almost as revvy and as fun as Mazda2 in 1.5 SKYACTIV I loved so much in my previous comment.
There was slightly more attractive in the Corsa that Adam, probably because the engine is stronger in the former, while everything else is quiet - which is probably the result of the canvas top Adam causing significant aerodynamic noise. But in the lighter Adam, it was a perfect engine for the type of driver that is likely to buy one. Regardless of engine speed, he shoots - which makes it easier to forget his speed action slightly lower than normal and the engine would probably be fine with an automatic transmission
. the engine, in fact, made a great impression of a plant much more - it is quiet and torquey enough for an ordinary driver think it is a 2.0 or something similar, nicely complement the attitude premium car. Unlike Corsa (Corsa and our press loaner was almost top-of-the-line), Adam manages to convey at least a kind of luxurious feeling inside. Enough beautiful leather is present not only on the seats and steering wheel, but also on the door panels, center armrest and other parts of the interior which can be ordered in combination black / cool white. The instruments have fresh red needles, there chrome everywhere and everything feels "almost luxurious." You will also find some rare features in such a small car, like a heated steering wheel.
Furthermore, most of the equipment is still obviously from the GM parts bin, and it is quite obvious that the search for a "premium feel" was limited to the most places visible, then something outside your immediate view is your typical stuff Opel / GM. I did not notice that one of the HVAC control buttons has a different feel and sound than others, but our photographer did - and the kind of person who pays almost $ 25,000 (including VAT $ 20,000 excluding taxes) for a small car probably will, too. The infotainment system feels like it was lifted from some econobox $ 15,000 with his stupid controls and lack of appropriate buttons to anything, including the volume of the radio.
Verdict
Adam is not perfect, and lifted Adam Rocks is probably even less. If Buick wants to target young urban customers in America, this may be his best shot yet. Being the only CUV in the segment (Mini Paceman and Fiat 500X are huge in comparison) would be a huge advantage, and Adam can also appeal to those who want a stylish little car, but I hate the whole retro this is getting a bit old now. It also comes with an engine capable of giving either a Prius fuel economy or type power required by a typical American driver, but not both (Drive Sport sends a fuel economy of nearly 50 mpg less than 30 mpg) . And, last but not least for those of us who believe brands must retain their mojo with its soft suspension and torquey engine, it still feels a bit like a Buick, however tiny it is.
is @VojtaDobes Motoring journalist from the Czech Republic who has worked for local editions Coach and TopGear magazine. Today, he runs his own website, www.Autickar.cz. After a failed adventure with the importation of classic American cars in Europe, it is quite broken, he drives an Alfa 164 Diesel he got free. His previous cars included a Caprice New York Taxi livery in 1988, hot rodded Opel diplomat, two Dodge Coronets, a Simca, a Fiat 0 and Austin Maestro. He never owned a diesel, manual trolley
Photograph: David Marek
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