First shown as a concept during the 2014 edition of the Geneva Motor Show, the Opel Adam S seems like a very interesting car on paper. The Germans have taken their smallest car and fitted it with a 1.4-liter turbo engine to give it about 50% more power than standard.
The official numbers state it has 150 hp and brakes tuned by the OPC division, but like everything made by Opel, it's a little slower than its rivals. This isn't us being crewel to a brand new model they were really hard to develop. Just look at the video and tell us if you think the performance is worthy of an €18,690 car.
The Germans at Ausfahrt TV tested a brand new Adam S and got it to do 0 to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds, which isn't that bad. The odometer shows this car has done only 3,400 km (2,100 miles), so the engine has yet to let its legs stretch.
So what's the deal with this German baby sportscar?
As we've mentioned, it's powered by a 1.4-liter engine with 50 percent more horsepower and 70 percent more torque than its naturally-aspirated 1.4. Still, a basic Fiat 500 Abarth with only 135 hp makes better use of its power by getting to 100 km/h in 8 seconds.
It's equipped with sports suspension, OPC-tuned brakes with red calipers, standard 17-inch wheels and 225/35 R 18 tires. Part of the reason why it's so expensive is that standard kit is generous and includes Opel's -inch IntelliLink system that's compatible with both Apple and Android smartphones.
Editor's note: You can also get it as a Vauxhall in Right Hand Drive. The Brits call it "Adam Grand Slam".
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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