Through subsidiaries Opel, Chevrolet and Isuzu, General Motors South Africa have quite a large presence at the Johannesburg International Motor Show, which includes Opel’s new Adam Slam boutique hatch and Mokka SUV, Chevrolet’s muscle-bound Camaro ZL1 convertible and sporty new Sonic RS, as well as various versions of Isuzu’s KB pick-up.
Opel: Plenty of new models
The highly anticipated Adam is still under consideration for the South African market, with the range-topping Slam model highlighting the Opel corner of the GMSA display at JIMS. Named after the company’s founder, the Adam Slam is Opel’s latest expression of emotive, fashionable design and, with endless design customisation possibilities available, creating a completely unique Adam is easy. From a total of 31 different paint jobs and wheel finishes to interior trim colours and a patterned headliner, the Adam fulfils a new boutique niche segment in the Opel line-up.
The Adam is powered by a choice of three normally-aspirated petrol engines – a 51 kW 1,2-litre, 62 kW 1,4-litre, and a 74 kW 1,4-litre (all of which use a five-speed manual gearbox to drive the front wheels). The Adam also packs a host of high-tech features for the segment in which it competes, such as automated parking assistance, blind spot assistance, cruise control with a speed limiter, a light-touch “CITY” power steering mode and IntelliLink on-board infotainment.
Also under consideration for SA, is the Mokka baby SUV, which surpassed 40 000 orders in Europe in the first four months of availability. It’s powered by a 1,4-litre turbocharged motor that produces 103 kW and 200 N.m of torque, with as little as 6,4 litres of fuel consumed over 100 km and just 149 g/km of CO2 emitted; or a 1,7-litre turbodiesel with outputs of 96 kW and 300 N.m of torque and claimed fuel consumption and emissions figures of only 4,5 litres/100 km and 120 g/km of CO2.
Armed with some sophisticated electronics and an all-wheel drive system, the Mokka is comfortable on and off the beaten track. Just like the Adam, it also introduces a number of new features to the segment, including Opel’s integrated FlexFix bike rack, hill descent control, and LED daytime running lights as part of the Adaptive Forward Lighting bi-xenon system, and Opel Eye front facing camera which integrates the forward collision alert, traffic sign recognition and lane departure warning systems,
Other Opel highlights include the recently launched Corsa OPC Nurburgring Edition, with uprated turbopetrol powerplant, brakes system, suspension and limited-slip differential, as well as the new Astra sedan.
Chevrolet: Driver’s cars
On the Chevrolet side of things, the drop-top Camaro ZL1 will undoubtedly be a head-turner. Although it is presently produced in left-hand drive only, the chances are slim that this classic muscle car tribute will find its way to South Africa in RHD guise.
The ZL1 is powered by a supercharged 6,2-litre V8 powerplant that produces a mighty 432 kW and tarmac-shredding 754 N.m of torque. Sending drive to the rear axle via a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox, the ZL1 sprints to 100 km/h from zero in just 4,1 seconds. The Camaro’s looks match its grunt, with carbon-fibre detailing on the bonnet, 20-inch alloys wrapped in low-profile rubber, and larger front bumper and rear spoiler.
Then there’s the Sonic RS, which is powered by the a 1,4-litre turbocharged Ecotec engine that develops 103 kW and 200 N.m of torque. Matching the Sonic RS’s new-found grunt are aggressive new looks, which includes a model-specific front grille, larger side sills, and new rear bumper as well as 17-inch alloys and plenty of chrome detailing.
Isuzu: All about the KB
As for Isuzu, there’s nothing really new on offer, but the brand will entice show-goers with its “Isuzu in a box concept”, with an Isuzu-focused hospitality area, and an Isuzu container that can be packed and closed up using a self-sufficient automated system. The Isuzu Off-road Academy will also be at the show to offer attendees passenger seat rides while demonstrating the off-road ability of the new KB bakkie. The marque also has a number of customised KBs on display at its stand.