CAGLIARI, Italy: Cute and clever as the Opel Agila is, in North America's current automotive climate it's pretty hard to see it -- or anything like it -- being successful on this side of the Atlantic.
But extend the lines tracking the price of gasoline, the growing consumer demand for higher-roofed vehicles, and the developing realities of global production and they'll cross at a point very near where the Polish-built mini-people carrier (MPC) sits.
When you consider it, then, it's not impossible to see some version of an Agila or another MPC coming to North America as an entry-level model. In GM's family, the Agila could work for value-providing Chevrolet (in place of the fading Metro) or maybe as a funky entry-level unit for the personality-challenged Saturn lineup.
The primary charms of the Agila to consumers anywhere would be its low price, a nice balance between interior space and exterior size, and its excellent economy-to-utility ratio.
On the downside, North Americans would probably be put off by Agila's laggardly nature, though that's an understandable result of the fact that it uses a 1-litre inline-3 or a 1.2-litre inline-four for its propulsion.
It would, however, be possible to see living with the surprisingly peppy 1.2-litre if you work the 5-speed manual aggressively to keep the revs up in the power range. Launch is acceptable but you won't bet many other kids away from the light, and it will pass if you're careful and deliberate.
This is of course a direct consequence of Agila's ability to go a great distance on a tank of gasoline. Right now this is a big concern in Europe, where gasoline is still more expensive than it is in Canada or the United States.
If the price of gasoline continues to track upwards on this, who knows when it will reach a critical mass point that will cause people to buy something less powerful and more fuel-efficient than they currently might. Let us not forget that when the oil crises hit in the 1970s we bought some truly awful little cars, simply because they were little.
In today's market, buying something little would mean something like the Chevrolet Metro or the Suzuki Swift, which are nice enough little vehicles but not possessed of much utilitarian value.This is where the Agila could be appealing, since it would deliver fuel economy and maneuverability on a par with a Metro/Swift while also providing increased ease-of-entry, more room in all directions for four real adults, the improved view that comes with raised seats, and considerably more storage space, especially if you keep it down to two real adults.
All of these increased utility comes from the Agila's high-roofed design, which also happens to be increasingly fashionable. I mean, it would have looked out of proportion to North America's vehicle fleet a couple of years ago, but today it would simply look European or funky.
As for Agila staying affordable, well that seems likely given Poland's poor economic situation. It's working hard to join the European Community (EC), but it still has a long way to go to shed the legacy of its long-time Communist regime.
People have left various medical and teaching jobs to work in the Opel factory because it's the best-paying employer in this well-educated part of Poland, but it's still one of the least expensive places to build cars in the world. So GM could probably upgrade the Agila to meet North American tastes, bring it across the Atlantic, and still price it close to where the Metro is now.
It actually wouldn't even have to get that fixed up, since a younger audience might more readily embrace its global legacy and equipment than an older generation would, and the former would likely be the people buying it.
Whoever buys it will find it entertaining to drive and easy to spend time in, since it's relatively quiet and quite comfortable. First off, it is a snap to get in and out of because the seats are well off the ground, and that will appeal to a lot of people.
There is a slight delivery van attitude from behind the wheel, but it's easy to see out of the windows and somehow it doesn't feel slight in an unpleasant way, it feels compact and nimble.Point it in a straight line or around gentle bends at low speeds and the Agila motors along without any fuss whatsoever, since it takes little effort to stay on course.
Crank it up a notch and you are surprised to feel it respond with commitment, quickly reaching cruising speeds and staying there with no sturm and drang. Up to about 120 km//h, in fact, the Agila is remarkably quiet and stable. Push it beyond that and it will go to 155 km/h, but it is not enjoying itself and neither are you.
Given the relationship of its height (1660 mm) to its other key dimensions (width of 1620 mm, wheelbase of 2360 mm and length of 3500 mm), you would expect Agila to be uncomfortable in some corners taken at moderate (80-100 kmh) speeds. But it actually behaves with considerable acumen and barely leans at all. This is a very welcome development.
The big issue will be the performance from the 1.2-litre engine, since it develops just 75 horsepower at 5600 rpm and about 80 pound-feet of torque. Opel says it will do zero to 100 kmh in 13.5 seconds, but is quick to remind that it also uses very little gasoline in the process. mark from a standing start in 13.5 seconds and is no slouch on long journeys with a top speed of 155 km/h.
But functionality rather than handling is what the Agila is all about, and on that score it's very clever.
What space there is is used as effectively as possible with large door bins, an open glove compartment, a storage space across the instrument panel, drawers under the front seats, and cupholders in the console.
In the rear are more door bins, map pockets in the front seat backs, as well as cup and bottle holders. It should also be mentioned that the rear seats are noticeably higher than the fronts, which means anyone sitting back there will have a better chance to see ahead.
The 50:50 split rear seats can be partly or fully folded and the resultant storage space is quite astonishing if you back things to the roof and the back of the front seats. You won't get that famous 4x8 sheet of plywood back there, but it will hold 1250 liters of cargo in a space that measures 1065 x 1115 x 965 mm (length x width x height).
It's also probably necessary to address the issue of quality, since Poland apparently is not known for that virtue within Europe and perhaps that reputation has spread. Well, the folks at the Polish factory say that early models are coming off the line as well built as any car from any plant in Europe, regardless of price or reputation. And they vow to keep the quality level there because they want to build the product that brings an end to the reputation of Polish quality standards.
So, maybe not now, but in 2002 or 2003, it's not hard to see lots of people in North America visiting some GM dealership or other looking at an Agila.