Opel Adam Jam 1,0 Turbo Ecoflex

The boutique-hatch segment is about sheer excess. Not in terms of size, of course, but rather about cramming as much fun as possible into a small car. Contenders in this class offer a slick and often retro-cool design, tons of spec, an options list to keep technophiles connected and a customisation list that fashionistas approve of.

The regulars Fiat’s 500, Citroën’s DS3 and, of course, Mini’s Cooper know exactly what this game is about and now, buoyed by General Motors’ renewed interest in the brand, Opel is pitching the Adam into the fight. Little more than a month after GM South Africa invited Mzansi’s motoring media to experience the fifth-generation Corsa in Germany (see page 32), the company brought the highly anticipated Adam to local shores ahead of its introduction to dealers at the end of January.

Having previously seen only images of Rüsselsheim’s new premium supermini, the Opel’s dimensions came as a bit of a surprise when I first laid eyes on it parked on the seventh floor of a recently renovated building on the outskirts of Cape Town’s CBD. Thanks to clever design, it’s not nearly as tiny as I’d imagined.

The styling certainly is fresh and a welcome departure from the retro architecture for which this segment is known. The Adam’s nose is highlighted by quite a low air dam and flanked by turn indicators, while the angry-looking angled headlamps and broad fenders lend the city slicker a sense of purpose.

From Jam spec on, Opel’s Intellilink infotainment system with 7-inch touchscreen is standard

A highlight of the design is the chrome strip that starts at the base of the A-pillar and continues along the roofline before heading down the C-pillar. It then abruptly flattens out where it connects with the rear shoulder line. The result is a unique and attractive floating-roof effect.

The derivative I drove was the middle-of-the-range Jam, which boasts model-specific 16-inch alloys and a roof in the same body-contrasting colour, as well as LED daytime-running lights and brakelamps.

Inside, the only familiar Opel aspects of the Adam’s interior are the round vents akin to that of the previous-generation Corsa and the font used on the analogue tachometer and speedometer.

The deep-dish multifunction steering wheel with brushed-alloy finish on the two lower spokes feels distinctly premium, as does the rest of the cabin. A soft-touch upper facia with contrasting centre strip, door panels and front of the floor console all contribute to high levels of perceived quality. From Jam specification upward, Opel’s Intellilink infotainment system with seven-inch screen is also standard in the Adam. As on the Corsa, though, it’s mounted a bit low for my liking. Operating the system, however, is a cinch.

The launch vehicles all came with an iPhone perched inside the folding cupholder in front of the six-speed gearlever a smartphone is necessary for making full use of the preloaded apps with which Intellilink comes fitted. Interestingly, while Android devices can talk to the system via Bluetooth, Apple users have to connect their iOS unit via USB cable.

Like the Corsa I drove in Germany, the Adam Jam boasts a 1,0-litre, three-cylinder engine, and the chance to sample the powertrain in local traffic conditions provided me with interesting perspective. The threecylinder thrum provided enough entertainment in the lower ratios on a launch route out to the countryside via De Waal Drive and the N2 highway, and wasn’t intrusive in fifth and sixth gear at our national limit.

Revving out the motor is not exactly needed for overtaking, as the 170 N.m of torque (available from 1 800 r/min all the way to 4 500) is ample for swift passing. According to the car’s instantaneous readout, for most of the freeway driving the 1,0-litre motor was using just under 5,0 litres/100 km.

To match its boutique brethren, the Adam brings to market nifty features such as Side Blind Zone Alert which warns the driver of vehicles in the Adam’s blind spot via warning lights in the side mirrors (but only up to 140 km/h); and Advanced Park Assist 2, which automatically handles steering of the vehicle during parallel and perpendicular parking manoeuvres. Prompted by instructions that appear on the infotainment screen, all the driver has to do is move forward or backward and brake.