THERE was a new version of the Vauxhall ADAM at the Geneva Motor Show. It should interest user-choosers who like the ADAM’s style and low running costs, but were looking for a bit more oomph.
Enter the Vauxhall ADAM S, a performance model with a 148bhp 1.4 turbo engine with an uprated chassis to suit.
The new version of the Ecotec engine has been developed form the existing four-cylinder unit already available in the ADAM, but in this turbocharged form it pumps up the power by half as much again, and the torque by an even more impressive 70 per cent.
Vauxhall is not yet quoting 0-62mph figures for the ADAM S, but says that in six-speed manual form it has a top speed of 137mph.
Extra pace needs a chassis to suit and again while not being specific, Vauxhall says that the car’s underpinnings have been retuned for performance and the steering made sharper and more direct.
Stopping power is improved too. The ADAM S fitted with all-round disc brakes taken from Vauxhall’s VXR performance range, with 16-inch front and 15-inch rear discs acted on by red-painted calipers. As befits a quick car the bright red calipers are clearly visible behind the 18-inch alloy wheels, shod with very low profile tyres on 18 inch alloys. Mind those sidewalls.
