Vauxhall's revised Meriva city car range, on sale early next year, will feature a hot VXR version.

The 177bhp turbocharged 1.6-litre model will go on sale in the spring, a few weeks after the more sedate offerings are launched.

For the 2006 model year, the Meriva gains a restyled front and rear and a revised cabin. There are also two new engines – a 1.3-litre CDTi diesel with 73bhp offering average fuel economy of 57mpg and a 1.6-litre, 102bhp Twinport petrol engine.

Pricing and specification will be announced in January.