What's the news?

It's only been on sale for a year, but it's already update time for the little Vauxhall Adam - the company's riposte to the likes of the MINI and Fiat 500. Given the global clamour for SUVs, perhaps it's not surprising that the idea behind this Adam Rocks is to make it look a bit like an off-roader.

So, the Rocks gets a 15mm jack in the ride height complete with new dampers, springs, rear suspension geometry and steering. There's a choice of 17- or 18-inch alloys and some new paint options including a particularly eye-catching yellow called Goldbusters.

Up top, there's a full-length electric folding soft roof making this the first open Adam - and a preview of a lower-riding, more conventional Adam cabrio. The roof folds back on top of the C-pillar in just five seconds and consists of a layer of neoprene sandwiched between canvas. It's available in black and two other colours - Sweet Coffee and Light Oak. The hatchback boot and rear visibility are said to be unaffected.

Inside, the Rocks gets a new instrument cluster, new seats and door panels and some colour schemes unique to the Rocks. There's a light cabin with peanut coloured trim or a darker one called Coffee Bean, which features dark brown seats with blue stitching.

Of far greater importance is the first sight of Vauxhall's new 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine. Designed to compete with Ford's EcoBoost triple, the new Ecotec direct injection engine boasts up to 115hp with torque of 166Nm. A 90hp version will also be available. Both variants come with stop-start as standard and are fitted with a new ultra-compact six-speed manual gearbox.

"Adam Rocks combines the toughness of a crossover with the coolness of open air driving," said Stuart Harris, Vauxhall's Head of Carline Brand. "It's the perfect Adam for active drivers wanting to stand out from the crowd."

Anything else?

The Adam Rocks will be built in the same plant as other Adam models - in Eisenach, Germany - and will go on sale in the summer. Prices and specs will be announced closer to the on-sale date.