New ‘Up!’ Brings Volkswagen Values To The Supermini Sector.
When Volkswagen first announced the ‘up!’ concept, talk was of a rear-wheel drive supermini with a small capacity engine mounted under the rear seats - a master of packaging that could find space in even the smallest, erm... space. But, alas, this was only a concept and as is often the way with these things, the ‘up!’ which will be making it into production is a far more conventional front-engined front-wheel drive package.
In fact, its transverse layout was first seen in the Austin Mini. Like the original Mini, the ‘up!’ will be one of the smallest cars on the market, with a stubby nose and chopped off rear-end, shepherding it round city streets should be a doddle. Its wheel-at-each-corner cutesy looks lend the ‘up!’ a certain cheeky charm, which is no doubt enhanced by the VW badge displayed proudly on the grille, and the perceived quality this brings. The ‘up!’ shuns the popular move towards retro styling opting to follow Volkswagen’s penchant for solidity, which is aided by confident crease lines, while the smiley face at the front and smoked glass at the rear, aid the modern, cheeky theme.
The inside mirrors the packaging outside;
its relatively long wheelbase means the ‘up!’ will feel a lot more spacious than other cars of a similar size. The design of the ‘up!’ follows that of any other Volkswagen model. So, you can expect a functional dashboard layout with quality feel soft-touch plastics and a logical layout, though large splashes of coloured gloss will mark this as a car aimed at the younger market. The ‘up!’ will also come with an info-pod which can mate with your mobile phone to provide entertainment and navigation, and is detachable. Available for around £350, the info-pod will also double as speedometer and provide useful eco-driving tips. The ‘up!’ will also come with big car features like Urban Safety, which brakes the car to a stop to prevent low-speed collisions of less than 20mph, available for £180.
At launch the ‘up!’ will be available in three trim levels; Take Up, Move Up and top spec’ High Up.
The ‘up!’ will be launched with 1.0 litre three - cylinder all-alloy, 12-valve engine available in Bluemotion tune of 59bhp with stop-start technology allowing 67.1mpg, or 74bhp standard spec, with 65.5mpg. Both engines will emit less then 100g/km, excluding them from London’s congestion charge. Cleanest engine of all, however, will be an electric model that is penciled in for introduction in 2013. Neither of the launch petrol engines will be fast, but we can expect 0-60mph coming up in around 15 seconds and top speeds of around 100mph.
We’re sure this will be delivered in true Volkswagen style and we are told that the controls are light and refinement high, for such a small car; the three – cylinder engine settles down from a distinctive warble at high revs. With direct steering and gear change, it should be fun to throw around city streets and equally easy to park at journey’s end. The front-wheel drive chassis lends the ‘up!’ safe and secure neutral handling with characteristic under-steer, which will gently ward off impending doom, as will noticeable body roll; the pay off, we’re told, for an extremely comfortable ride.
Released next January, the ‘up!’ will be priced from £8,000 for the entry level model rising to £12,000 for one with all the goodies. It’s a competitive price for a car that will command the lowest CO2 tax bracket, can circumnavigate London’s congestion charge and that has a three-cylinder engine that literally sips fuel. Combining all these with Volkswagen’s reputation for solid engineering and durability, and we have a car that looks like competitive new entry to the supermini sector and one which can rely on its last-ability to outshine its competitors’. Problem is, for all its cute looks (and apparently it looks even cuter in the metal) the ‘up!’ fails to make us melt in the same way as a Fiat 500 does so effortlessly, which leaves us thinking the ‘up!’ is destined to be a teacher’s town car rather than a teens cohort. Time, we suppose, will tell.
