What's the news?

Vauxhall is continuing to flex its performance muscles at this year's Geneva Motor Show. Just recently it unveiled the most powerful Astra - the VXR Extreme - and now the next model to gain some added performance is the Adam.

Exterior

There isn't a great deal of change to the exterior of the Adam S, the most noticeable updates being the addition of LED daytime running lights both front and rear, larger alloy wheels and a rear roof spoiler. It is expected that a production version of the Adam S would also be available in the huge palette of colour combinations that its lesser-powered sibling is.

Interior

The most noteworthy addition to the interior of the new Adam S are two very sporty-looking bucket seats, which cosset those travelling up front and help to complete that hot-hatch look. Further reminders of this sportier Adam are displayed in the form of a chequered flag motif across the dashboard; it is also emblazoned with a large 'S'. This graphic is replicated in the dials inside the instrument binnacle.

Vauxhall's IntelliLink infotainment system enables users to connect either their Apple iOS or Android device by USB or Bluetooth and thanks to the Adam's seven-inch touchscreen can stream media and allow apps such as Stitcher and TuneIn to integrate with the car.

Mechanicals

Along with chassis changes specifically for the Adam S, under the bonnet Vauxhall has installed a new version of the 1.4-litre turbocharged EcoTec engine.

In its latest guise, this four-cylinder engine produces 150hp and generates 220Nm of torque, which, combines with the Adam's relatively low weight.

Engineers have reduced weight in the engine by using a cast iron block with hollow frame structure as well as hollow-cast camshafts and an intake manifold that is made from lightweight plastic.

That power then goes through a six-speed manual gearbox to the front wheels. Top speed is 137mph. Bringing all that power to a stop are some larger 16-inch front discs and 15-inch rear discs. Helping to further differentiate the Adam S model, the larger VXR performance brake callipers are also painted red.

Anything else?

Technically, the Adam S hasn't been confirmed as a new model, but rather is referred to as a 'close to production performance hatch' by Vauxhall. Given the usually bonkers performance offered by VXR (Vauxhall's performance division), the Adam S may not be a full VXR model when it is released, meaning that we could yet see an even more extreme Adam in the future.

Dave Humphreys - 6 Mar 2014