Dinky cars with big personalities are hard to beat when it comes to fun on four wheels. So everyone should pat Vauxhall on the back for announcing a turbocharged version of the already plucky Adam.
The Vauxhall Adam S may be small, but underestimate it at your peril. A 1.4-litre turbo with 150PS (148bhp) and 220Nm of torque makes it 50 per cent more powerful and 70 per cent more ‘torquey’ than the usual 1.4-litre Turbo ECOTEC.
A power to weight ratio of 100PS per litre helps the Adam S achieve a 0 to 62mph time of 8.5 seconds. Admittedly the Fiat 500 Abarth is a second quicker, but numbers shmumbers. Top speed is 124mph.
CO2 emissions and fuel economy are pretty impressive given the performance. 44.1mpg is doable if you can resist driving like a tit and CO2 is a respectable 149g/km. Weight saving and the use of stop/start engine technology play their role in keeping things eco-friendly-ish.
There’s more to the Adam S than a simple, but admittedly awesome power increase. VXR S brakes attached to 17- or 18-inch alloys should bring you to a halt quickly and safely. Adjustments to the chassis, meanwhile, are said to improve the steering.
A new rear bumper, new front spoiler, new side sill mouldings, tinted rear lights, LED daytime running lights, Adam S logos and a larger exhaust tailpipe provide a meatier look. Ten paintjobs and four roof colours are available – the Red ‘n’ Roll variant pictured unique to the model.
Inside the Adam S gets electronic climate control, 7-inch touchscreen display with Bluetooth and USB connectivity, seven-speaker sound system and SIRI Eyes Free voice control for keeping your concentration on the road ahead.
You’ll be able to order the Vauxhall Adam S from January 2015 onwards. Expect a price and our verdict as we head towards next year.
Speaking of unusual Vauxhalls, check out the 750bhp VXR8 and Adam Rocks.
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