The Motorist 03 | Page 12

OPEL ADAM S By Francisco Nwamba We live in the hipster generation. A generation that wants to be so different, it all ends up being the same. We blame the MINI brand for starting this trend in vehicles. Before, hatchbacks were hatchbacks. Now, everything is edgy, two toned and has a strange name. Take for instance the new Opel Adam, with names like Glam and Jam, you realise that being different is very much in at the moment. Well then we bring good news to those wanting something different, there is a fast version of the Opel Adam and it’s simply named the “S”. Like adding whipped cream to your cappuccino, the Adam S adds richness to the range. With a punchy 1.4 turbocharged engine and firmer suspension, it does a good job to put a smile on your face. No it’s not very fast nor is it the best handling hatchback there is, but it does have charac- ter and that counts a lot. The character is made up of its charming good looks, sporty Recaro bucket seats and large wheels. It’s also very well built and as a result the cabin is a quiet and refined place to be in. What we like: The best part about the Opel Adam S is the fact that it works well in the city as it’s small and nimble. It’s also not terrible on fuel even though it has a small fuel tank. Topping it up with R200 gives you half a tank of fuel, which is music to the ears of the youth, or anyone for that matter. Another great thing about the Adam is how the torque is delivered through the rev range, so you can buzz around town without having to rev the little thing to the death. It serves its purpose as a single person’s trendy car very well as it’s both masculine enough and feminine enough to be driven confidently by both sexes. If you are in the mood to drive enthusiastically the chassis on the car allows you because it’s balanced and sharp. As mentioned, it’s not very fast but it is fun. What we don’t like: As much as the Opel Adam S is intended for young people, most young people still have friends. Trying to fit four adults of var-