Report: Skoda planning VW Up-based minicar?

Zach Bowman — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Hatchback, Volkswagen, Skoda

According to Inside Line, Skoda is jumping into the minicar game with a little help from parent company Volkswagen. The Czech automaker is set to introduce a new model based on the same platform as the VW Up, with production gearing up toward the fall of 2011.

The vehicle doesn't have a name as of yet, but according to the report, the pint-sized machine is slated to be built at Volkswagen's Bratislava manufacturing facility. When it rolls off the production line, it will come packing an efficient 65-horsepower 1.0-liter gasoline engine, though a 75-horsepower 1.2-liter diesel mill will also be available at the time of launch.

Later down the line, there's word that Skoda will bring an all-electric version to the party as well. The baby Skoda is being designed to lock horns with the Toyota iQ and Peugeot 107, and Inside Line is reporting that it will likely carry a price tag of around $9,300 when it debuts.

[Source: Inside Line]

Report: Skoda planning VW Up-based minicar? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

New VW Beetle could be North America's up! variant?

Chris Shunk — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Budget, Green, Volkswagen

The VW Beetle is a cult favorite here in the States, but in Germany, it's not so well loved. That could be part of the reason why Volkswagen has been slow to produce a successor to the new Beetle, but word from Motor Trend is that two models could be coming shortly. The first Beetle will be based off the Gen-VI Golf and will hit production in 2010 or 2011.

Word out of Wolfsburg is that a second Beetle could be on the way as well, but this one would be based off the up! minicar. That would give VW a sub-brand Beetle lineup, kind of like what Toyota has with Scion, but with an eye on MINI buyers. The smaller up!-based Beetle would also be more true to the original Bug, which was a cheap and efficient "People's Car" with the engine out back (supposedly). Quality problems and a weak dollar have lead VW to struggle in the U.S. over the past few years, but an inexpensive, reliable car with top-notch fuel economy would go a long way toward reversing that trend.

Gallery: VW up!

[Source: Motor Trend]

New VW Beetle could be North America's up! variant? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments