The Opel Adam will officially be the first of an all-new generation of Opel vehicles destined for South Africa when it makes its regional debut in January 2015, the Russelsheim-based automaker announced today.
Opel says the Adam is its entry into the luxury mini segment in South Africa and is “set to shake up the market with a comprehensive offering of standard safety equipment,” usually reserved for more expensive vehicles. All models in the Adam range, the base model, Adam Jam and Adam Glam, will be sold in South Africa. There is no word on the availability of specialty models in the region, such as the Adam Rocks or Adam S.
In South Africa, base model Adams will come equipped with the automaker’s 99 horsepower, 95 lb-ft 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which is mated to a five-speed manual transmission. Jam and Glam models are fitted with the automaker’s all-new 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine, which produces 112 horsepower and 125 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a six-speed manual.
Just as in Germany and other markets, part of the Adam’s appeal will be its available personalization options. Thirteen exterior paint colors will be available from launch, along with a black or white roof, an OPC Line bodykit, OPC Line wheels and more. An “OPC Line pack” for the Adam will also be available in the region, and will be offered on other South African Opels in the future, potentially on the 2015 Corsa.
An array of technologies will join the Adam in South Africa including a 7-inch color touch screen, IntelliLink infotainment with a new BringGo navigation app and Bluetooth, City Steering, hill start assist, advanced park assist, rain sensing wipers, and side blind zone alert.
Prices will range from R200,000 ($17,323 USD) up to R250 000 ($21,654).
Comments
i want to see OPC line adam and opc line wheels
It’s about time! For far too long Opel have neglected the South African market, in the 70s GM were normally No1 in the market selling a mix of Vauxhall / Opel cars (although they were badged as Chevrolet). The trouble is there is going to be a conflict between Opel & Chevrolet again.
Back in the day Vauxhall put a Chrysler V8 in their saloon for the South African market.
As recently as 2000, GM were No.3 in South Africa (after VW and Toyota), offering just the Opel and Isuzu brands. The Corsa and Astra were regular visitors to the sales podium. Alas no more … GMSA has focused all marketing on Chevy, ignoring Opel to the detriment of GMSA as a whole, with GM slipping to No.6 in SA in the process. For example, whose bright idea was it to re-badge the previously market segment-leading Opel Corsa pick-up as a Chevy Montana, which in turn is now very comfortably outsold by the dated Nissan NP200 pick-up, itself a re-badged first generation Dacia Logan!
During the 60’s and 70’s Chevrolet was GMSA’s big brand with the bow-tie being slapped on the front of (Canadian sourced) Pontiacs, Holdens, Opels, Vauxhalls, Bedfords and Isuzus. In 1984 GM pulled out of SA and the plant in Port Elizabeth was sold to the local Delta Corp. who then began building Opels and Isuzus badged as such, with great success. GM bought back the Delta operation in the early 2000’s.
Long before OPC was a twinkle in Russelsheim’s eye, Delta produced some really cracking cars like the Astra/Kadett B Boss with 200+ BHP, and the Opel Rekord E with the 3.8 ltr. Buick V6 and independently sprung rear-end of the Omega A.
By the way, the Vauxhall model previously referred to with the Chrysler V8 Hemi option was the Viscount. Power-train sharing was not uncommon amongst South Africa auto-manufacturers during the 1960’s and 70’s, given the relatively low volumes and over 50% local content rules. Similarly, GMSA’s locally produced 3.8 and 4.1 straight-sixes powered the AMC Hornet amongst others and Peugeot’s 1.5 slant-four could be found in Hillman Hunters way before Peugeot bought-out Rootes!
Let’s hope GMSA has at last seen the light and we in turn see the resurgence of Opel in South Africa.