The best cars from the Paris Motor Show 2012 you'll soon be able to drive
Vauxhall Adam at Paris 2012
Vauxhall’s new wannabe-fashionista city car – weird or wonderful?
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Vauxhall Adam at the 2012 Paris Motor Show
Looking for a trendy new small car? Well, if you think MINI is too tired, the Audi A1 too cold, the Fiat 500 too small and the Citroen DS3 too stylistically resolved, then maybe - just maybe - the Vauxhall/Opel Adam is for you. If only the designer had put his pen down a little earlier...
What is it?
The Adam seems to incorporate visual elements from every one of those rivals listed above - and the result is an appearance that's certainly eye-catching enough to go with the unusual name. The moniker's a tribute to Adam Opel, by the way, the founding father of Vauxhall's German partner brand Opel.
What's hot?
The Adam is aiming to be the most customisable car on sale - its makers reckon there are over a million possible combinations of exterior colours, trim finishes, options and equipment. Unusual features include the LED-lit "starlight" interior roof, something we've only ever previously seen on a Rolls-Royce. Very posh.
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What's not?
Such "individualism" is all very well, but buying an Adam second hand is going to be a nightmare. We're also doing our best not to dwell on the way it looks, but visions of psychotropic frogs just won't go away for some reason. 'Individual' is probably the best word for it.
How much and when?
There will be three trim levels initially - labelled Jam, Glam and Slam (what else?) - and we're expecting the Adam to reach UK dealerships in January 2013. Prices start from £11,255: that's a lot for a city car, but not a lot for a premium MINI-style alternative.
Anything else I should know?
The Adam is longer than a Fiat 500, shorter than a MINI and wider than both. Engine choice comprises three petrol units to start with: 70hp 1.2, 87hp 1.4 and 100hp 1.4; a turbocharged 1.2 is set to follow later. The most economical emits just 118g/km of CO2.
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