One of the biggest criticisms Vauxhall received about the Adam was the old range of engines which did little to help the small, funky city car in boosting its appeal. Not anymore though.

What’s new?

The engine once again. The three-cylinder, turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol breathes some much-wanted fresh air into the small Adam, producing 113hp (115PS) at 4000rpm and 170Nm (125lb ft) of torque between 1800-4500rpm with the combined fuel economy rated at 57.6mpg and CO2 emissions of 114g/km.

Made from aluminium, the small three-cylinder features a direct injection fuel system as well as several measures to optimise refinement, including a sump-mounted balancer shaft and a specially developed cylinder block. Also new is the six-speed manual gearbox which weighs less than 40kg and has a maximum torque rating of 220Nm (162lb ft).

So, is it a good drive?

It doesn’t take long behind its wheel to start appreciating this engine, partly because of its really good refinement. Vauxhall’s 1.0T engine is strikingly smooth and quiet, with the traditional three-pot clattering sound making its presence only when you press hard on the loud pedal. With this engine, the Adam is now a much more complete package, accelerating with a new-found nerve thanks to the wide spread of the torque across the rev-range.

Handling-wise, the Adam was never as sharp as a Mini, but it has a keen turn-in and now you can enjoy the agility of it, thanks to the energetic little engine up front. The ride is comfortable enough (our test car was fitted with the standard 16in wheels) with only the biggest of the road bumps to unsettle it, disrupting its balance. Its compact dimensions make it an ideal city car but rear view visibility pays the price of the distinctive design when it comes to parking.

Adam Rocks Air?

We had also the opportunity to get a taste from the Rocks Air model, a jacked-up Adam with a folding fabric roof. Its pseudo-SUV looks are courtesy of some unpainted protective plastic cladding, a 15mm increase in ground clearance and a wider rear track. Combining Mini Paceman’s higher stance and Fiat 500 Cabrio’s open-air charms, the Rocks Air targets the same audience who want something more out of their stylish compact car. The raised suspension hasn’t affected the dynamic abilities of the standard Adam which is a good thing but the £16,695 price tag is a long way from the £13,455 basic price of the ‘regular’ Adam Jam 1.0T.

And the verdict is…

You won’t buy an Adam just because of its good engine or its dynamic abilities, but because you like the design of it, which is pretty much the same happening with the Fiat 500 and the Mini. The addition of this new turbocharged 1.0-litre unit though has made it a much better package overall, a car that you no longer have to make excuses for selecting it against the other trendy company its competing with. Charming or not, the Adam is now a much more serious threat to the others with that engine under its bonnet.

VAUXHALL ADAM JAM 1.0T

VAUXHALL ADAM ROCKS AIR 1.0T