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Opel Adam sales 'exceeded expectations' in 2013, helped Opel nudge market share

Sales funk? What sales funk? When we last touched on the Opel Adam, we noted that after strong early demand, sales were reportedly less than had been hoped for. However, Opel has stepped forward to counter that thought, noting that sales of the stylishly customizable minicar have reportedly exceeded parent General Motors' original projections, with around 21,000 sold in Germany last year alone.
According to Automotive News, along with the Adam, the Opel Mokka subcompact CUV (better known in North America as the Buick Encore) has also performed well, with both models helping Opel improve its market share ever so slightly in Germany and Europe as a whole. Opel's piece of the German pie increased 0.1 percent to an even 7 percent, while the brand's share of European sales grew from 5.59 percent up to 5.61 percent. While gains on both fronts are small, they're steps in the right direction, particularly given Europe's difficult auto market. Scroll down for Opel's brief press release.

Opel Adam looking to get dirty with friends

If there's a single phrase in the automotive lexicon that makes us want to obliterate our delicate middle ear organs with a pickaxe, it's "lifestyle car." Opel has taken the unfortunate step of dropping the company's Adam into that phylum, which is a shame since the little runabout looks downright dashing in rally guise. Opel has just announced that it will show off its new FIA R2-spec Adam at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show next month. Expect to see the little competitor go through homologation and final development early this year, with privateer teams able to purchase their own shortly thereafter.
With a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that provides 185 horsepower and 140 pound feet of torque in rally spec, the Adam should be reasonably quick. A five-speed sequential transmission and limited slip differential put that muscle down, and four-piston Brembo front brakes help bring the party to a stop. The driver also gets the luxury of a hydraulic handbrake and the cabin is fitted with Sparco competition seats, an LCD gear indicator and a MONIT trip computer. Check out the full press release below for more information.
Opel is also set to show off its Adam ROCKS Concept. The design study is an "urban mini-crossover" that's both wider and taller than the current production Adam. Check out out in the associated gallery, and be sure to take a peek at the quick press release.

Opel/Vauxhall bringing production Adam Rocks softroader to Geneva

Sliding canvas roof panels have become the new fad among stylish European hatchbacks. Again. While Mini has stuck with full convertibles, Fiat rolled it out with the 500C and Citroën followed suit with its DS3 Cabrio. But rather than simply cruise down the same road, GM's European operations have taken things a step further with the introduction of the new Adam Rocks.
Previewed (to evidently positive reception) in concept form at last year's Geneva Motor Show, the Adam Rocks does more than add that canvas roof: it also gives the little city car a more rugged appeal. Most obvious is the dark gray lower body cladding with satin chrome trim, its trapezoidal grille bisected by a chrome bar. But the suspension has also been retuned, riding over half an inch higher and sitting wider on 17- or available 18-inch alloys. You'll also find integrated fog lamps, rear roof spoiler and skid plates front and back. That three-layer roof takes just five seconds to operate, opening up the ruggedized cabin.
The Adam Rocks model also introduces a new 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, which will be available across the Adam range with either 90 horsepower or 115 and mated to a six-speed manual transmission. As with many of GM's European products, the Adam Rocks will be sold by Vauxhall in the UK and by Opel in Europe and other overseas markets.