ADAM, Vauxhall’s stylish urban-chic city car, took the fashion-led A-sector by storm when it went on sale last year.
Now the latest edition to the Vauxhall range, the ADAM ROCKS AIR is set to extend the ADAM family further.
Debuting at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, ROCKS AIR has a bespoke body style, offering the same contemporary style as the original ADAM but with the toughness of a crossover and the coolness of an electric folding canvas roof.
ADAM ROCKS AIR’s new crossover body style is supported by a chassis that is raised 15mm and has a wider stance. Agile parkour athletes, who move from one place to another, negotiating urban obstacles in between, were the inspiration for this sporty crossover.
Parts of the chassis have been modified or re-tuned – including dampers, springs, the rear suspension geometry and steering. The higher, wider looks are matched by a choice of standard 17-inch or optional 18-inch alloy wheels. These can be further personalised with new wheel clips in “Wild” design and different colours that are unique to ROCKS AIR.
Protective, anthracite-coloured cladding is wrapped tightly around the ADAM ROCKS AIR, giving it a tough, muscular look. The front trapezoidal grille, with a chrome central brand bar, is embedded in the cladding, while contrasting, satin chrome ‘boomerang’ elements frame the front fog lamps/indicator housings and the reversing/fog lamps at the rear. An integrated rear roof spoiler and LED daytime running lights also come as standard. Silver skid plates front and rear and a bold chrome exhaust complete the exterior design.
ROCKS AIR combines its rugged individuality with open air fun. The electric folding canvas roof is operated via a button located in the front area of the headliner and folds back neatly on to the C-pillars in just seven seconds. The roof can be opened or closed while the car is moving at up to 85mph. Creating a wide opening, this stylish system has no negative impact on body stiffness or on the car’s functionality: the boot keeps the full opening of a hatchback and loading volume remains untouched.
The entire roof module is acoustically tuned for noise insulation inside the cabin, and the robust, three-layer fabric has a neoprene centre for weatherproofing and durability. The folding canvas roof is available in a choice of two exterior colours – Black or Sweet Coffee – that combine with the different roof colours of the ROCKS AIR.
ROCKS AIR’s cabin has its own distinctive character. Two new, exclusive ROCKS AIR interior trims have been created. They include a main instrument cluster, seat and door panel colours and other trim elements – all unique to ROCKS.
One trim is taken directly from the ADAM ROCKS AIR concept car revealed last year: it has Brandy-coloured fabric/Morrocana seats and door panels, leather steering wheel, gearshift and handbrake in the same colour, and “Surf” décor trim.
The other trim features a sophisticated Coffee Bean design – rich dark brown seats in a black cabin trimmed with bright blue stitching.
The new 1.0-litre ECOTEC capacity belies its strong performance. Top speed is 121mph with 0-60mph reached in just 9.9 seconds. A strong mid-range, particularly between 50 to 70mph, illustrates an abundance of torque, meaning that drivers needn’t rely on high revs to extract the most from the engine.
Despite the new 1.0-litre’s performance, it achieves 55.4mpg on the combined cycle with CO2 emission of 119g/km. The new three-cylinder unit already complies with future Euro 6 emission standards.
The new 1.O-litre ECOTEC engine tops a powertrain portfolio including two current four-cylinder naturally-aspirated units comprising a 1.4-litre with 87PS and a 1.2-litre with 70PS.
The 1.4-litre unit provides maximum torque of 130Nm at 4,000 rpm and accelerates from 0- 60mph in just 12.5 seconds and has a top speed of 109mph. The 1.4-litre engine achieves 53.3mpg combined with CO2 emission of 125g/km.
The 1.2-litre registers 57.6mpg combined and 115g/km. Top speed is 103mph with a 0-60mph in 14.9 seconds.
Both engines are mated to five-speed manual transmission and can be specified with an ecoFLEX technology pack that further enhances their efficiency.
◾Priced from £14,695 with first deliveries in September
