Official: Opel/Vauxhall bringing production Adam Rocks softroader to Geneva [feedly]

Official: Opel/Vauxhall bringing production Adam Rocks softroader to Geneva
// AutoblogGreen

Filed under: Convertible, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Crossover, Hatchback, Opel, Vauxhall, UK

Sliding canvas roof panels have become the new fad among stylish European hatchbacks. Again. While Mini has stuck with full convertibles, Fiat rolled it out with the 500C and Citroën followed suit with its DS3 Cabrio. But rather than simply cruise down the same road, GM's European operations have taken things a step further with the introduction of the new Adam Rocks.

Previewed (to evidently positive reception) in concept form at last year's Geneva Motor Show, the Adam Rocks does more than add that canvas roof: it also gives the little city car a more rugged appeal. Most obvious is the dark gray lower body cladding with satin chrome trim, its trapezoidal grille bisected by a chrome bar. But the suspension has also been retuned, riding over half an inch higher and sitting wider on 17- or available 18-inch alloys. You'll also find integrated fog lamps, rear roof spoiler and skid plates front and back. That three-layer roof takes just five seconds to operate, opening up the ruggedized cabin.

The Adam Rocks model also introduces a new 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, which will be available across the Adam range with either 90 horsepower or 115 and mated to a six-speed manual transmission. As with many of GM's European products, the Adam Rocks will be sold by Vauxhall in the UK and by Opel in Europe and other overseas markets.

At one point, there were murmurs about the subcompact Adam making it to the US - General Motors' then-CEO Dan Akerson went so far as to publicly wish for its presence in North America. That was understood to be a long shot at the time, and there's no word that the model's fortunes have improved since then. However, the Adam Rocks' faux SUV styling would seem to be a bit more in the wheelhouse of American consumers, and presumably it will offer thicker margins to build a business case around. Even so, we're not going to hold our breath. Instead, we're going to check out the details in the press release below and wait to see the car in person next month.

Continue reading Opel/Vauxhall bringing production Adam Rocks softroader to Geneva

Opel/Vauxhall bringing production Adam Rocks softroader to Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Feb 2014 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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