Vauxhall has spun a crossover offering from the stylish Adam city car, adding chunkier looks as well as a part-fabric roof. But it’s the new engine that’s the really big news.
The Adam Rocks Air is understandably similar to the basic Adam at first glance but there are quite a few differences of note.
Firstly the Rocks Air sits 15mm higher thanks to raised suspension that has also been re-tuned, and to complement this there are dark-grey plastic panels added around the wheel arches and bumpers. There’s no off-road ability, just a tilt to the lifestyle.
The other key change is the adoption of a part-fabric roof. A section from the windscreen rail to behind the driver’s head can be folded back, and because it’s only partway across it can be folded at motorway speeds.
Better still, the Adam Rocks Air can be fitted with the new 1.0-litre three cylinder turbocharged engine, as tested here.
The Adam in standard form is designed to be eye-catching and also offers up plenty of personalisation options, so the overall look is very much up to the buyer.
However the Adam Rocks Air takes this a bit further thanks to the additional exterior panels. With the contrast of grey plastic and body paint it certainly stands out even more and while shy, retiring types probably won’t like it, everyone else will appreciate the sharper looks.
Of course the Adam is a small car, but it’s worth remembering that it’s designed to be more stylish and therefore a little less practical than its Corsa stablemate.
Up front it is reasonably spacious and the full-length roof doesn’t appear to rob you of any headroom. In the back it’s a bit more of a squeeze while the boot offers 170 litres. Storage space in the cabin is modest too, but there’s a least a good spot to stick your mobile phone.
With an eye-catching interior and a chunky three-spoke steering wheel the Adam Rocks Air does put you in the mood for a brisk drive, and happily it is a more pleasurable experience thanks to that new engine.
It may be small in capacity at 1.0-litre but the turbocharger makes all the difference. It’s a keen engine, happy to rev and surprisingly brisk. Crucially it’s quite refined for one so small too.
The increase in ride height doesn’t affect the Adam’s behaviour either; the slightly softer suspension means it deals with broken urban roads perfectly well and is fun through the bends, although the electric power steering doesn’t offer as much feel as some rivals.
Because it has more features than the standard Adam, the Rocks Air costs a little bit more than the regular car. You get smart alloy wheels, the plastic body add-ons, the increased ride height and the roll-back sunroof all as standard but with the ideal engine choice it’s £16,695.
If you’re looking for a small car with style then you have plenty to choose from, but the Adam Rocks Air is unusual in that it offers both a slightly raised ride height and the folding fabric roof. You can have the feel of the convertible but without the penalties of increased weight or compromised boot space. Larger families will find it too small but you can fit two children in the back comfortably.
Facts & figures
Model: Vauxhall Adam Rocks Air
Price: £16,695
Engine: 1.0-litre petrol unit producing 114bhp and 125lb/ft of torque
Performance: Top speed 121mph, 0-62mph in 9.9 seconds
Economy: 55.4mpg combined
CO2 rating: 119g/km