Autoblog

VW's up! might be renamed Lupo in 2011

Chris Shunk — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Budget, Etc., Hatchback, Volkswagen

The trio of Up! concepts foretell Volkswagen's re-entry into the ultra-affordable transportation business, and the interweb car lovers at World Car Fans may have cracked the name code of the cute mini. While Up! is catchy and adorable, the Germans may be playing mind games here, just like when the IROC concept became the Scirocco. The middle two letters of the currently defunct Lupo subcompact are obviously "up." Very clever, we guess.

World Car Fans also penned the production date to be 2011, with a potential grand entrance at the Frankfurt Motor Show. VW has already announced that the Up! will be produced in India, and the factory is expected to come on line by 2012. Both the three door Up! and roomier Space Up! will be produced, along with a possible miniature "off-road" version. We're all for really cheap, rear-engined cars that get phenomenal fuel economy arriving on our shores, but we may only get the larger van version because we're fat.

Gallery: VW up!

Gallery: VW space up! blue

[Source: World Car Fans]

VW's up! might be renamed Lupo in 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Feb 2008 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW may sell small, turbocharged vehicles for $13k in the U.S.

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Volkswagen

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.

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Czech Up: Skoda plans its own VW Up! derivative

Noah Joseph — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 19:31:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, China, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Volkswagen

The Skoda Fabia (not sold in America) is pretty small. It's based on the Volkswagen Polo platform (also not sold in America). But Skoda chairman Reinhard Jung wants an even smaller car based on the upcoming production version of the VW up! concept, and that also won't be sold here in all likelihood. Where it will, however, is in Russia, India and China.

These rapidly growing markets where Western automakers have been undertaking an equally rapid expansion via joint ventures with local companies are where Skoda wants to expand production. Currently the Czech subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group produces about 60,000 vehicles each year between the three enormous countries, which it plans to double to 120,000 units annually over the course of 2008. But by 2010, Skoda is targeting annual production of 350,000 in those markets.

Volkswagen has shown several concepts that preview a small car range, including the original two-door Up! in Frankfurt, the Space Up! van in Tokyo, and the Space Up! Blue in Los Angeles. Earlier reports suggested that the van derivative could make it to the US market, while Skoda as well as SEAT derivatives will be manufactured around the world for global sale.

[Source: Just-Autos.com - subscription required]

Czech Up: Skoda plans its own VW Up! derivative originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Jan 2008 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen to build Up! in India

Chris Shunk — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 19:02:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Budget, Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Volkswagen

Volkswagen has been struggling here in the US, but in emerging markets the German automaker is among the best. VW has been a big player in China since way before it was cool, and now Mr. Winterkorn and co. are focusing their attention on the booming India market. VW is planning on producing 240,000 vehicles per year in India by 2012, and it's using two small cars to supply much of the volume. The size and price of the Polo compact and the upcoming Up! minicar are perfect for the India market, and Europe's largest automaker plans on building both vehicles at its new plant in Chakan. Up! will go head to head with its low-cost Indian market competition with a price tag in the $7,500 price range.

The Passat has already been on sale in India since November, the next generation Jetta and the ultra-luxury Phaeton are scheduled to hit India's VW dealerships in the next couple years. With VW's vast expertise making and selling its cars in low-cost markets, the company that created the original Beetle has a great chance to make hay in the land of Gandhi and the Taj Mahal.

[Source: Inside Line]

Volkswagen to build Up! in India originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Dec 2007 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM not going after VW, Toyota's minicars

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Chevrolet, GM, Toyota, Volvo

General Motors' European arm has decided that it won't jump feet-first into the micro-car segment with Smart, and more recently Toyota and Volkswagen. Speaking with Automotive News Europe, GM's Euro-veep Carl-Peter Forster said that, "These specialized urban vehicles have a limited market." True enough, but it's a market that stands to go through a growth spurt in the coming years, and GM's decision to opt out of providing a competitive product might be a shortsighted move.

That said, GM already sells the Chevy-branded, Korean-built Matiz abroad, which - to a certain extent - already fills that niche. But with the Toyota iQ expected to sell 80,000 units in Europe in 2009 and VW's up! coming the following year, the Opel Trixx concept (pictured) that originally debuted in Geneva in '04 might look like an appealing product if sales of the iQ and up! go through the roof.

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

GM not going after VW, Toyota's minicars originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Dec 2007 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2007: Deja Vu with Volkswagen space up! blue

Noah Joseph — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 18:48:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Hybrid, Minivan/Van

Click on the image above to view in high-resolution

Volkswagen didn't appear to take this year's LA auto show very seriously - its press kit appears to have been assembled by a kindergarten class on a budget. The car it unveiled here in the City of Angels was little more than a redressed version the van concept they showed in Tokyo, as well.

The space up! blue takes the up! space and adds a hydrogen-electric hybrid powerplant and a solar panel on the roof. Volkswagen says the van will go into production, in one form or another, but without the advanced powerplant. And likely without the solar roof, either. They're "Pie in the sky" as the Volkswagen board member called it. And so, we're back where we were in Tokyo (only with a cameo by former pro baller John "Spider" Salley). That being said, the car itself is a quirky take on the retro-modern theme that could prove popular with young, trendy families if VW has its way.

Click on the galleries below to check out live shots from the space up! blue's unveiling VW's original factory images. The press release has also been included after the jump. Sit down with a nice cup of tea and enjoy.

Gallery: LA 2007: VW space up! blue concept

Gallery: VW space up! blue

Continue reading LA 2007: Deja Vu with Volkswagen space up! blue

LA 2007: Deja Vu with Volkswagen space up! blue originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Nov 2007 18:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tokyo Motor Show: VW drops the up! space in Japan

Siddharth Raja — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 23:09:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Tokyo Motor Show, Volkswagen

click above image for more high-res pics of the VW up! space Concept

Volkswagen is looking to conquer the cheap car market with its new family of small cars, tentatively referred to as the up! cars. Having previously shown the first up! concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Volkswagen usedTokyo to devut the minivan version of the up!. Called the 'space up!' concept, it's 23cm longer than the previous three-door hatchback up!, has a longer wheelbase and is slightly taller. The larger dimensions and improved packaging help the space up! fit around "4.5m of legroom in a vehicle just 3.68m long", or at least that's what VW execs kept insisting at the press conference.

The concept also features suicide doors and can seat four people, including two children thanks to its built-in child seats. With the engine in the rear of the car, there's space in the front for stowing gear, as well as a handy tailgate in the back for more substantial equipment. Though the official shots don't do the design justice, in real life the concept is entirely plausible for production. Check out our live shots of the space up! in the gallery below.

Gallery: Volkswagen up! Space Concept

Tokyo Motor Show: VW drops the up! space in Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Oct 2007 23:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW to show 1-series based concept in Tokyo

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 07:55:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Tokyo Motor Show, Audi, BMW, Volkswagen

Over the course of the last few weeks, we've been constantly updating our comprehensive list of debuts slated for the Tokyo Motor Show, but one glaring omission continually jumped out at us: BMW. We know they'll be showing off the M3 Sedan, but it was rumored that something else would grace the Bavarian's show stand. Automotive News finally shed some light on the mystery model, but it doesn't reveal much.

BMW will be showing a concept built atop the 1-series platform, but when AN quizzed a BMW spokesperson, all they would say is that the unnamed concept won't be the X1 mini 'ute. Our first suspicion was the 1-series convertible, but that's far too dull for Tokyo. We'll let the relentless speculation begin below.

As for the rest of the Germans, we know Audi is bringing the A1 concept to the show, which should be close to the production model set to debut in 2009, while Volkswagen will be releasing its first Up! variant in the form of a five-door minivan concept.

We'll be on a plane to Tokyo this time next week, so expect more to follow soon.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

BMW to show 1-series based concept in Tokyo originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Oct 2007 07:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt 2007: VW gets it up!

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 06:03:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Budget, Hatchback, Volkswagen

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.

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