It's official – Vauxhall has revealed that its upcoming MINI rival, previously codenamed Junior, will be known as the Adam when it arrives early next year.
And these spy pictures give us our best idea yet of how the new model will look. Vauxhall has revealed it will get a “sporty and muscular design”, which is likely to draw on some of the company’s established styling cues. These include the blade motif on the flanks and the ‘eagle eye’ headlights that can be seen through the heavy camouflage on the car in our pictures.
The Adam will only be offered as a three-door, four-seat model and measures approximately 3.70 metres in length – almost identical to the 3.72m MINI hatch.
The big focus is set to be on customisation, with an insider revealing “there are around 10,000 different variants of paint and interior trim; you won’t see two alike on the road”. Everything from the headlining to the floor mats will be customisable.
The Adam will use the chassis from the next-generation Corsa, while power will come from a range of efficient small petrol and diesel turbos from the supermini line-up, as well as a new three-cylinder engine.
The newcomer will debut at September’s Paris Motor Show. Vauxhall has told us the Adam will go on sale early in 2013 and should have a starting price of just over £10,000, placing it in Fiat 500 territory.
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The downside of so many options will, of course, be that once you've made your decision on the exact spec.....you see one on the road that you much prefer, but you've already made your choice.
Personally, I'd go for a fairly standard spec because all these variations will come at a cost and if you pick the wrong ones you'll be punished come trade-in time.
I hope it's a success, although the amount of discounting that you see on the present Vauxhall range might give a clue as to why General Motors make little, or no money from their European operations.
Perhaps Opel don't go for the "pile-them-high-and sell-them-cheap" business model, but every Vauxhall dealer near me seems to slash prices all the time.
Perhaps the new Adam will give them more profit.
If your are going to build a "cool" car to appeal to young, funky buyers where on earth did they come up with Adam???
Its a pretty innocuous name for a car isn't it?
Suppose Top Gear had already used "Hammerhead Eagle iThrust"!
You're right, not a cool name, it could've been Atom or something but Adam is the founder of Opel so I guess it is kind of a respect tribute to Herr Opel that doesn't exactly fit the Vauxhall brand. Myself, I m very excited about this little one. My favourite car is the Mini so I would love to see Vauxhall's attempt on the specific market. If it looks and drives like a GTC then I could get one.
Adam is my name!! Cheek :P
Who on earth came up with this name??
"I have just bought a new car"
"Great, what did you get?"
"A Vauxhall Adam!"
Not right, is it! And people who buy Mini's will not buy a Vauxhall anyway! We buy Mini's because of the build quality, style and overall engineering that goes into them. They also hold their value better than most other supermini's. Why pay £10,000 for a car that is worth only £3000 in three to fours years?
This Vauxhall is really an Opel in all but name. As the founder's name was Adam Opel it seems logical to name the new car thus. After all we've had equally daft names in the past: Triumph Gloria, Nissan Sylvia, etc.
Sorry mate...
but you are a person, not a car so the rules are different.
If a friend called their baby "Mustang" you would equally raise an eyebrow!
Those photos show a Fiat 500 + Opel/Vauxhall details. (Apart from the bonnet shutlines, which are pure 500). The daft name seems like a desperate attempt at originality, 'out-there-ness' etc. GM dealers are probably thinking up escape strategies before baby Adam's arrival.
Yes Atom would have been much better - not still owned by Fairthorpe is it?!
Talking of Minis, what is the point of the Paceman? The Countryman was a four door mini, now we have the Paceman "a two door Countryman"! Going round in circles or what?
Respect to the Mini, the best and most successful car of the last two decades. Still buddy, you undervalue the built quality, drivability and functionality of cars like the GTC and OPCs from Opel/ Vauxhall. I drive many cars and Vauxhalls are AMONG my favourite. I truly believe that if Opel is determined to produce a worthwhile car, they can do it so let's hope this funny named little one is worth it cause I personally would prefer it over the Mini even if it is second best.
"So wotchoo driving now, mate?"
"Oh I just got meself a new Vauxhall Adam!"
I don't think so!!!!
What a totally stuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuupid name
Not sure that Minis hold their value better than any other supermini. According to Parkers Guide, in 2011 they fared less well than the A1., the 50 or the DS3. Yet other guides give differing results. Believe what you choose!
For "50", read "500"!
I'll get me coat.
Like everyone else I don't understand the name. I'm called Adam but I would never assume that would be a good name for a supermini, I appreciate it was the first name of the founder of Opel, but that makes no sense for the British market. Maybe they should have gone down the road of Tvr and named it the adm. Unfortunately it's a car I cannot buy, wouldn't like the conversation "hi, my names Adam and I drive an Adam". The Vauxhall Adam, contender to the Seat Kevin, Peugeot Simon and Mazda Richard.