Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[LA 2009: Volkswagen Up! Lite Concept teases with practical, lightweight innovation]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/02/volkswagen-up-lite-concept-at-2009-la-auto-show/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/02/volkswagen-up-lite-concept-at-2009-la-auto-show/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/02/volkswagen-up-lite-concept-at-2009-la-auto-show/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Volkswagen Up! Lite Concept - click above for high-res image gallery

Volkswagen has just taken the cover off an all-new concept called the Up! Lite, a sinister looking diesel hybrid that gets (according to VW) 70 mpg combined. As in both City and Highway. Impressive, even if that only ends up being 90 percent accurate. In fact, should Volkswagen decide to green light the unfortunately named Up! Lite, it would be the most fuel efficient and environmentally friendly four seat vehicle on the planet. Again, if the Up! Lite comes to fruition, we'll all be impressed. Interestingly, this concept isn't the most fuel efficient and environmentally friendly car on earth is because another Volkswagen -- the L1 from Frankfurt - is. But it only seats two.

Ready for the good parts? The aptly titled Up! Lite barely tips the scales at 1,530 pounds. There are Honda Goldwings flirting with that weight class. This svelteness is achieved via a mix of aluminum, lightweight steel and carbon fiber. For instance, the roof is made entirely from the expensive weave. And those amazing wheels consist of ten carbon-fiber spokes and an aluminum fairing. Nifty, no? The tiny, stylized winglettes replace conventional rearview mirrors and contain cameras instead of reflective glass. The same holds true for the interior mounted mirror, as has been replaced by a camera.

Up front, there's an active air dam that opens up as needed. The extra cooling will help out the TDI hybrid drive lifted from the two-seater L1. This 800cc powerplant transmits power to the wheels using a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox. Even though the diesel engine is teeny, when coupled to the electric motor, the Up! Lite can reach 100 mph and hit 60 mph in 12 seconds. Not fast by any means, but good enough - especially for an ultra-high mileage vehicle. And it can haul stuff, too - including humans. Unlike the Up! Concept we saw in Frankfurt, the Up! Lite seats four people, and with the rear seats folded, it can haul 30 cubic feet of stuff. Not bad at all.

Overall, we're pretty impressed by the looks and promise of the Up! Lite. In our estimation, there's absolutely nothing wrong with blending a Honda CRX with a Volvo C30. Will the Up! Lite ever make it to production? Who knows. VW claims the first Up!s(?) will go on sale in 2011. We get the sense that any future decision will be based on how the two-door Up! does. But we get the feeling the Up! Lite might give the people more of what they want. Official press release after the jump.


Gallery: LA 2009: Volkswagen Up! Lite


Live photos copyright (C)2009 Jonny Lieberman / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source:Volkswagen]

Continue reading LA 2009: Volkswagen Up! Lite Concept teases with practical, lightweight innovation

LA 2009: Volkswagen Up! Lite Concept teases with practical, lightweight innovation originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dieseldiesel hybridDieselHybridLA 2009LA Auto ShowLA ShowLa2009LaAutoShowlaautoshow2009LaShowUpUp LiteUp Lite ConceptUpLiteUpLiteConceptVolkswagenVolkswagen UpVolkswagen Up LiteVolkswagen Up Lite ConceptVolkswagenUpVolkswagenUpLiteVolkswagenUpLiteConceptWed, 02 Dec 2009 14:58:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Larger VW E-Up! could come to the States]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/22/report-larger-vw-e-up-could-come-to-the-states/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/22/report-larger-vw-e-up-could-come-to-the-states/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/22/report-larger-vw-e-up-could-come-to-the-states/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Volkswagen E-Up! Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

After showing off the E-Up! at the Frankfurt Motor Show last week and declaring it the Beetle of the 21st Century, VW is promising to have the tiny EV into small scale production in Europe by 2013. However, the people's automaker isn't convinced such a small car would be accepted in the United States.

Flawed logic or not, Automotive News reports that a somewhat larger version of the E-Up! - about 146 inches long, or some 20 inches longer than the concept VW claimed was its smallest car ever - is being developed for the crucial U.S. market.

The first vehicle using the Up!'s New Small Family architecture is expected to debut in 2011, with the electric version showing up in Europe about two years later. U.S. sales of the slightly larger model will come at some unspecified later date.


Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Volkswagen E-Up!


[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]

REPORT: Larger VW E-Up! could come to the States originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e-upe-up conceptE-upConceptgreenupvolkswagenvolkswagen e upvolkswagen e-upvolkswagen upVolkswagenE-upVolkswagenEUpVolkswagenUpvwvw e upvw e-upvw upVwE-upVwEUpVwUpTue, 22 Sep 2009 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Frankfurt 2009: Volkswagen calls E-Up! Concept "Beetle of the 21st Century"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/14/frankfurt-2009-volkswagen-calls-e-up-concept-beetle-of-the-21/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/14/frankfurt-2009-volkswagen-calls-e-up-concept-beetle-of-the-21/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/14/frankfurt-2009-volkswagen-calls-e-up-concept-beetle-of-the-21/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Volkswagen E-Up! Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Volkswagen promises to release the "Beetle of the 21st Century" by 2013. Those are some of the biggest shoes in the history of the automobile to fill, and VW plans to do just that with a new car based on the New Small Family architecture that was introduced on the original Up! concept that's been floating around for the last few years.

Naturally, like any future-spec concept that's looking to alter the vehicular landscape, the E-Up! will be powered by electrons. The car is small - under 10.5 feet (3.19 meters) in length - and will seat four occupants in a 3+1 arrangement. Top speed is listed at just under 85 miles per hour (135 km/h) and the run to 60 mph will take about 11 seconds while the city-centric zero to 30 mph is dispatched in just 3.5 seconds.

That performance is surely buoyed by the E-Up!'s low weight of about 2,400 pounds (1,085 kilometers) - 530 pounds of which is accounted for by the 18 kWh lithium ion battery pack. That's enough juice to provide a range of about 80 miles (130 kilometers), which VW believes is sufficient for urban use. Depending on the outlet used to charge the EV, a battery pack replenished to 80% takes as little as an hour.

VW is quick to point out that its E-Up! is not a retro design like its own New Beetle. Instead, the car used Volkswagen's latest design languages and draws inspiration from current models like the Polo and Golf. Details like diamond-cut head lamps and C-shaped fog lights join the solar roof that provides a working ventilation system without draining the battery to add to the car's futuristic feel. Click on past the break for the complete press release and check out our gallery of images below.


Gallery: Volkswagen E-Up! Concept


Continue reading Frankfurt 2009: Volkswagen calls E-Up! Concept "Beetle of the 21st Century"

Frankfurt 2009: Volkswagen calls E-Up! Concept "Beetle of the 21st Century" originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric volkswagenElectricVolkswagenfrankfurtfrankfurt 2009frankfurt motor showFrankfurt2009FrankfurtMotorShowgreenupvolkswagenvolkswagen e-upvolkswagen evvolkswagen upVolkswagenE-upVolkswagenEvVolkswagenUpvwvw upVwUpMon, 14 Sep 2009 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[VW's Jacoby outlines future U.S. product strategy, plans to take over the world]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/27/vws-jacoby-outlines-future-u-s-product-strategy-plans-to-take/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/27/vws-jacoby-outlines-future-u-s-product-strategy-plans-to-take/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/27/vws-jacoby-outlines-future-u-s-product-strategy-plans-to-take/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Volkswagen's Stefan Jacoby has his sights set on turning the German company into the largest automaker in the world. Oh, and he also plans to turn a profit in the process. Perhaps someone should remind him how that's gone for Toyota and General Motors over the last few decades? Just like any proper plan to attack the global automotive market, VW's strategy includes introducing new models aimed at the heart of the market, including a new American-made midsize sedan targeting the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Chevrolet Malibu and Ford Fusion.

In fact, Volkswagen aims to refresh its entire lineup by 2011, and that product renaissance will reportedly entail a revised New Beetle and Jetta that are specifically tasked with catering to American automotive tastes. Also in the pipeline is a new seven-seat CUV that will go head-to-head with the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander and Chevy Traverse, though a pickup apparently isn't in the cards. We're not sure where that leaves the automaker's subcompact Up!, but Jacoby did mention that smaller models are under consideration.

Of course, if VW is going to play on the same level as Toyota and the rest of the gang, quality is going to need to be up to snuff, and that's something Jacoby says the automaker is working to improve. The trick will be accomplishing all of these assorted goals while maintaining VW's status as a desirable nameplate among image-conscious buyers. "It's not our intention to make VW a boring brand," he says. Pretty ambitious plans... what could possibly go wrong?

[Source: The Detroit Free Press]

VW's Jacoby outlines future U.S. product strategy, plans to take over the world originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>stefan jacobyStefanJacobyvolkswagenvolkswagen beetlevolkswagen jettavolkswagen midsize sedanvolkswagen suvvolkswagen upVolkswagenBeetleVolkswagenJettaVolkswagenMidsizeSedanVolkswagenSuvVolkswagenUpvwvw midsize sedanvw sedanvw suvVwMidsizeSedanVwSedanVwSuvThu, 27 Aug 2009 10:31:00 EST<![CDATA[New York: Definite Maybe - VW Up! could be headed Stateside]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/09/new-york-definite-maybe-vw-up-could-be-headed-stateside/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/09/new-york-definite-maybe-vw-up-could-be-headed-stateside/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/09/new-york-definite-maybe-vw-up-could-be-headed-stateside/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Volkswagen Up! Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Here in New York, Volkswagen CEO Stefan Jacoby said the company might be shaking things "Up" again in the States. The on-again, off-again status of the Up! mini-car on these shores is apparently about to go on - again. While the Up! (likely to reintroduce the Lupo nameplate) won't see production until 2012 at the earliest, Jacoby is hinting that it could be on sale here when it debuts: "Up! could be in the future of the market here. In urban areas like New York, a car like Up! has a good chance."

Jacoby, among others, thinks that fuel efficiency will remain a big draw into the future, so cars like the Up! make a lot of sense for VW, returning an anticipated 50 mpg. And that's just in conventional internal-combustion engine configuration. Throw in some of VW's alternative-fuel technology, and that number could go up significantly. "We are looking at second-generation biofuels, electric cars, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and nanotechnology," Jacoby said. That doesn't mean VW thinks the end of the ICE is nigh. When the U.S. market starts to rebound at the end of 2009, Jacoby anticipates a total market of 13 million to 14 million vehicles, the vast majority ICEs.

We've already speculated that the Up! will be produced in India, and that we'll most likely get the roomier Space Up! microvan model rather than the smaller three-door hatch version. We're also hearing that the original Beetle-like rear-engine, rear-drive configuration will be swapped to front/front for production. Engine options are said to range from a 600cc turbo to a 1.2-liter three-cylinder, in gas and diesel forms. Mileage could be as high as 80 miles-per-gallon. If it has any of the driving dynamics that Volkswagen is known for, we can see this being a worthy rival for the Honda Fit and Fiat 500 in the fun little econo car class.

Gallery: VW up!


Gallery: VW space up! blue


[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd.]

New York: Definite Maybe - VW Up! could be headed Stateside originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>New YorkNew York 2009NewYorkNewYork2009NewYorkAutoShowNYAutoshowNYIASStefan JacobyStefanJacobyUpvolkswagen upvolkswagen up conceptVolkswagenUpVolkswagenUpConceptThu, 09 Apr 2009 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[VW microcar gets fast-track to production]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/26/vw-microcar-gets-fast-track-to-production/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/26/vw-microcar-gets-fast-track-to-production/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/26/vw-microcar-gets-fast-track-to-production/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Volkswagen up! concept

European manufacturers seem to have been taken aback by the recent success of their microcars. Now that consumers have gotten a taste of what life is like when you're choosing between filling your tank or your stomach, industry insiders are predicting that the microcar category will only pick up steam. Daimler is sitting pretty with its smart brand, BMW is working on a city-spec Isetta revival, Toyota has responded with its diminutive iQ and VW went small with its Up! concept cars. But VeeDub's got even smaller ideas on its corporate mind, working on an smaller city car to slot below its already dinky Up! model.

Power for the city car will come from either a 1.2L four cylinder or an oil-burning three-pot. That gasoline engine is expected to feature cylinder cutoff technology so it can operate on just half of its allotment of pistons when full power isn't necessary. All of that adds up to an estimatged 117 miles per gallon. And naturally, an electric drivetrain is also in the works.

Current rumors indicate that the German automaker has given this new model priority status, working to get the car on UK roads by 2011. It all sounds good so far, minus the name: Chico. We're confident that they can think of something better.

[Source: Autocar]

VW microcar gets fast-track to production originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>volkswagenvolkswagen city carvolkswagen upvolkswagen up conceptVolkswagenCityCarVolkswagenUpVolkswagenUpConceptvwvw city carvw upvw up conceptVwCityCarVwUpVwUpConceptWed, 26 Nov 2008 12:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Volkswagen developing car even smaller than up! with 117.6 mpg!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/06/volkswagen-planning-a-car-even-smaller-than-the-up-with-117-6-m/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/06/volkswagen-planning-a-car-even-smaller-than-the-up-with-117-6-m/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/06/volkswagen-planning-a-car-even-smaller-than-the-up-with-117-6-m/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the VW up! Concept

In Fall of 2007, Volkswagen unveiled a series of three mini car concepts called the up!, Space up! and Space up! Blue. Apparently the German automaker has determined that the tiny "four seat" up! just isn't small enough and is planning an even smaller machine to take on the Smart ForTwo directly. The goal is to create a two-seater that can achieve a fuel consumption rating of 2 L/100 km or 117.6 mpg! According to Auto Motor und Sport, the smaller car will be based on the up! architecture with power coming from a 1.0L three-cylinder diesel making 50 hp. VW has been testing a two-cylinder engine, but is unlikely to go that route. A twin would have to work too hard to provide any mileage benefit, so the slightly larger engine is likely to find a home in the new car. The first of the up! models are expected to debut in 2010 with larger models, and now smaller ones, to follow. Thanks to Christian for the tip!

Gallery: VW up!


[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via German Car Blog]

Volkswagen developing car even smaller than up! with 117.6 mpg! originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>volkswagenvolkswagen upVolkswagenUpvw upvw up conceptVwUpVwUpConceptThu, 06 Nov 2008 07:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Volkswagen up confirmed to be FWD, delayed five months]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/21/volkswagen-up-confirmed-to-be-fwd-delayed-five-months/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/21/volkswagen-up-confirmed-to-be-fwd-delayed-five-months/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/21/volkswagen-up-confirmed-to-be-fwd-delayed-five-months/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Volkswagen up! Space concept.

It was rumored last week and now it's been confirmed: Volkswagen's up! minicar will be switched from a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout to a front-engine, front-wheel-drive arrangement when it goes on sale in 2011. According to VW CEO Martin Winterkorn, "Our engineers favored a rear engine and fought until the end for that solution." Unfortunately, the rear-engine layout had to be nixed due to cost constraints and the limitations it imposed on passenger space.

Volkswagen originally planned to launch the up! in Europe sometime in 2010, but the architecture switch has bumped back its sale date by four- to five-months, meaning it will likely hit showrooms in early 2011. While a few months wouldn't normally be a big deal, the Toyota IQ is set to debut in dealers early next year and the Fiat Topolino will launch late in 2009, putting VW behind the eight ball by almost two years.

Volkswagen plans to launch the up! in three flavors: a hatchback, minivan and sedan. The automaker expects sales in Europe and emerging markets to hit approximately 500,000 units per year, although a decision has yet to be reached on whether the up! will make it to the U.S.

Gallery: LA 2007: VW space up! blue concept


Gallery: Volkswagen up! Space Concept


[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Volkswagen up confirmed to be FWD, delayed five months originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Jul 2008 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 volkwagen up2011 vw up2011VolkwagenUp2011VwUpdelayedupvolkswagenvolkswagen upVolkswagenUpvwvw upVwUpMon, 21 Jul 2008 07:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Production VW up! may drop rear engine and RWD]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/20/production-vw-up-may-drop-rear-engine-and-rwd/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/20/production-vw-up-may-drop-rear-engine-and-rwd/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/20/production-vw-up-may-drop-rear-engine-and-rwd/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Click above to view high-res gallery of the Volkswagen Space up!

We'll admit to being a bit shocked that Volkswagen was even considering a move back to the rear-engine configuration it made fashionable all those years ago with its first vehicle, the ubiquitous Beetle, for the production version of its up! concept. Although we have some fondness in our hearts for the good ol' Bug and its backwards engine location, modern packaging constraints may force VW to ditch this idea for the production version of the up!, just like it did for the modern reincarnation of that first Vee Dub, the New Beetle. Out would go the uniqueness of the concept vehicle with this decision, but such is life in these days of platform sharing and cost considerations.

To go along with the previously noted nostalgia-crushing news, rumors indicate that both a 1.2-liter gasoline engine and a new diesel engine of the same displacement are expected, both offering just 55 horsepower. If this power level is accurate, at least the up! will share one thing with its Beetle forebear: really slow acceleration.

Gallery: LA 2007: VW space up! blue concept


[Source: AutoZeitung (translated) via Motor Authority]

Production VW up! may drop rear engine and RWD originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>front engineFrontEnginerear engineRearEnginevolkswagenvolkswagen upVolkswagenUpvwvw upVwUpFri, 20 Jun 2008 14:28:00 EST<![CDATA[VW may sell small, turbocharged vehicles for $13k in the U.S.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/11/vw-looking-to-sell-small-turbocharged-vehicles-for-13k-in-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/11/vw-looking-to-sell-small-turbocharged-vehicles-for-13k-in-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/11/vw-looking-to-sell-small-turbocharged-vehicles-for-13k-in-the/#commentsFiled under: ,


click above for high-res gallery of the Volkswagen up! Space concept

Volkswagen may be serious about returning to its "people's car" roots by importing a small vehicle to the U.S. with a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine. Stefan Jacoby, CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, told Automotive News that something like the Polo could fly here in the States, as well as "lifestyle" vehicles like the smart and MINI, and something he described as a "little bit SUV-looking and a little van."

The inclusion of a new, economical model into Volkswagen's lineup could be based around the up! concepts that have made appearances on the auto show circuit this past year, and Jacoby hopes that pricing could be set in the $13,000 to $14,000 realm. The move is in an effort to capitalize on American's supposed desire for more fuel-efficient models that won't break the bank and cause less cringing at the pumps. However, despite Jacoby's comments about small vehicles, VW is still contemplating a return of the Phaeton to the U.S. - something that's directly opposed to its desire of become a more affordable marque for the masses.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Gallery: LA 2007: VW space up! blue concept


Gallery: Volkswagen up! Space Concept

VW may sell small, turbocharged vehicles for $13k in the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Feb 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>poloupup!volkswagenvolkswagen polovolkswagen upvolkswagen up!VolkswagenPoloVolkswagenUpVolkswagenUp!vwMon, 11 Feb 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Evidence of Apple and VW collaboration on up! dashboards?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/19/evidence-of-apple-and-vw-collaboration-on-up-dashboards/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/19/evidence-of-apple-and-vw-collaboration-on-up-dashboards/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/19/evidence-of-apple-and-vw-collaboration-on-up-dashboards/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Last week we told you about Volkswagen's plan to put touch screens in every one of its cars next year and wondered if maybe this is what Apple had been helping VW sort out.

Well, our brothers over at Engadget did some digging and came up with a video showing VW's UP touch interface in use. Apple fans will immediately recognize the look and feel of the images as very Coverflow or Front Row-like. Apple fanboys will have already seen all this, of course, and put their cars up for sale in anticipation of the new VW lineup (anyone want to by a 2002 Corolla, btw?).

Is this the fabled iCar? Has Apple assisted in the design of VW's new touch interface? While the video shown here is indeed intriguing, don't get excited just yet. Apple's Coverflow is easily imitated, and VW might have only been inspired by Apple's work. Even so, it would be a huge improvement over what VW uses now, and as much of a leap forward for the automotive industry as Apple's iPhone has been for mobile phone companies.

If you know Apple, they're gonna keep this pie as secret as they can until it's fully baked. But we're gonna do our best to keep an eye on it while it's cooking, so stay tuned.

[Source: Engadget]

Evidence of Apple and VW collaboration on up! dashboards? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Nov 2007 10:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Apple automobileApple carAppleAutomobileAppleCariCarVolkswagen AppleVolkswagen touch screenVolkswagen upVolkswagen UP!VolkswagenAppleVolkswagenTouchScreenVolkswagenUpVolkswagenUp!VW AppleVW upVW UP!VwAppleVwUpVwUp!Mon, 19 Nov 2007 10:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Frankfurt 2007: VW gets it up!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/11/frankfurt-2007-vw-gets-it-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/11/frankfurt-2007-vw-gets-it-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/11/frankfurt-2007-vw-gets-it-up/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

UPDATE: Press release added after the jump.

Click the image above for more live high-res pics.

Some may compare it to the Beetle, but in the end, it looks like a restyled Golf that's been left in the dryer for one cycle too long. The rear-engine, three-door, four-seat city car from Volkswagen, dubbed the up!, aims to be the V-dub equivalent of the smart, with a small footprint (3,450mm long and 1,620mm wide) and inoffensive styling.

It's a strange dichotomy of sorts, with the 50-year old rear-engine drivetrain mated to a host of 21st century technology that allows on-the-go urbanites the right balance of size and cargo space. All the seats, except the driver's, fold down and can be removed, and once out they can be stored in the frunk (front-trunk) or in the rear cargo area. Naturally, drivers get climate control, sat-nav, and an on-board computer, along with a secondary screen for the co-pilot.

We'll have more details as soon as we get VW's official press release, but for the time being, you can check the gallery below for two dozen of live shots.

Gallery: VW up!

Continue reading Frankfurt 2007: VW gets it up!

Frankfurt 2007: VW gets it up! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Sep 2007 06:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>frankfurtupup!volkswagenvolkswagen upvolkswagen up!VolkswagenUpVolkswagenUp!vwvw upvw up!VwUpVwUp!Tue, 11 Sep 2007 06:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Frankfurt 2007: Volkswagen reveals rear-engined concept, the up!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/10/frankfurt-2007-volkswagen-reveals-rear-engined-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/10/frankfurt-2007-volkswagen-reveals-rear-engined-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/10/frankfurt-2007-volkswagen-reveals-rear-engined-concept/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Volkswagen returns to its rear-engined roots with the up! concept, unveiled Monday before the Frankfurt Auto Show. VW CEO Martin Winterkorn gave a strong indication the four-seat car could see production one day as a part of the company's New Small Family lineup.

Winterkorn also hinted at the car being sold internationally under VW, Seat and Skoda brands to spread around costs.

The up! is about 136 inches long and 64 inches wide with seating for four, rear-wheel drive and modest luggage space under the hood. A VW logo faintly shows through the rear plastic hatch, but glows when the brake lights come on.

With the up!, VW is breaking its recent trend of chasing the high-end of the market at the same time it brings back a Volkswagen power train setup not seen since the original Beetle. Formula for success? It worked once before.

[Sources: Drive and Autmotive News - Sub. Req.]

Frankfurt 2007: Volkswagen reveals rear-engined concept, the up! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Sep 2007 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>frankfurtvolkswagen rear engineVolkswagen upVolkswagen up!VolkswagenRearEngineVolkswagenUpVolkswagenUp!Mon, 10 Sep 2007 16:59:00 EST