Vauxhall Adam VXR teased

[ne_one]

Vauxhall Adam VXR teased
Evo
November 6, 2012
by Stephen Dobie

Vauxhall will tackle the Abarth 500 and Mini Cooper S with a VXR version of its new Adam. A hot version of the city car is almost certain, according to company insiders, and it could be one of the most potent city cars on sale.

While an engine choice is yet to be finalised, the Adam’s diminutive size means a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine – like the 189bhp unit used in the Corsa VXR – is unlikely to fit. Instead, the Adam VXR is set to use a 1.4-litre turbo mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. ‘200bhp is probably too much for a car like this’ an insider told evo.

Vauxhall Adam VXR would likely appear in 2014, but we could see a teaser concept as early as next year, perhaps at the Geneva motor show in March.

Until a more hardcore Adam launches, a pair of turbocharged, petrol-powered 1-litre three-cylinder engines will join the range next year, both with a six-speed manual transmission. One will be emissions and fuel economy biased, but the other will have performance in mind, and will better the 98bhp put out by the current 1.4-litre range-topper.

Full article at link.

[gdvalente]

Gonna say it again...soooooo much better looking than the Spark/Sonic boxes.

[YupYupYup]

PRICE! There is now way it is going to cost the same as a Spark/ Sonic. You are comparing apples to oranges.

And the Sonic was designed well before this...This is just coming out.

[All Star]

Would be really cool as a Buick.

[spd98]

I agree this is one of those rare "premium" small cars. It really isn't an econobox. I think 200hp isn't to much. The Cooper S is at what 181? I think the Corsa engine is perfect to compete.

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

Why is this not "coming to a Buick/GMC dealer near you", again?

[BBDOS CV8]

I agree this is one of those rare "premium" small cars. It really isn't an econobox. I think 200hp isn't to much. The Cooper S is at what 181? I think the Corsa engine is perfect to compete.

Erm, this is a fair bit smaller than a Corsa. It's Spark-sized. The 1.4t would probably be as quick, because it will spend it's time with the larger/heavier 1.6 torque-steering straight off the road, or wheelspin being T/C supressed. It's smaller than a Mini, which is actually closer to Sonic sized. With the family 0 1.4 (same engine as it had, but with turbo) it has potential as both a straightline bullet and a handling demon. I'd say it still might be a handful, like the Arbath Fiat.

[germeezy1]

The 1.4T just needs to be modified with a larger turbo, and have the powerband extended to 7,000 rpm to make 180 or more horsepower.

[AfterBurner_1]

I'm certainly looking forward to hear more on this it'll likely used a A14NET or a new variant with more kick possibly in the pipe?

[chaseabryant]

This little car is growing on me. I think it would be neat to see on the US shores, however, I have to wonder how it would do... The 500 isn't doing that well, and it had the advantage of having a "new" brand to be introduced under; meaning the image of the brand meets the product being sold.

That being said, I don't know if Buick would be able to pull off a vehicle like the Adam. Sure, they are attempting to get a younger crowd in the doors, but I just don't know if they would be able to get the proper crowd to consider this car. It is the right price range, right sheet metal, but unfortunately, I don't think that the brand has the proper clientele. The interior is also TOTALLY wrong for a Buick. It would be okay for Chevy, but the design as a whole (Materials, Shapes, and Colors) is too unrefined.

I don't know where this car could fit in the U.S. lineup It is too expensive to be a Chevy, Cadillac isn't ready for a vehicle this small, even if it were completely re-bodied and refitted to look like the ULC.

Perhaps if GMC actually got something like the Granite, this little guy could have made a home there with some sheet metal tweaks.

-Chase

[spidge]

Why is this not "coming to a Buick/GMC dealer near you", again?

Because it's too small for "our" big American posteriors.

Gosh, when did this nation of adventurous, rugged individualists turn into conformist couch potatoes?

[RedVee8]

So, aren't the 1.4 T & 1.6 T the same physical size?

[mchicha]

Why is this not "coming to a Buick/GMC dealer near you", again?

some people just cannot see the great gold-pressed latinum river even when they are drowning in it.. too busy looking over spreadsheets...

[ogg vorbis]

200 is too much...199 is just enough.

with a turbo, it's easy enough to turn down boost in first gear in order to help launch and driveability, and overboost in the higher gears.

the adam looks nice. i'd be happy with a corsa! i had a look at them in europe last month, and they're head and shoulders above the sonic/spark aesthetically.

[70eldo]

200hp is not too much. The Cooper S JCW has 210hp and the Citroen DS3-R has 207hp both with a turbo 1.6L.