Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Volkswagen Cross Up! headed for production after Geneva reveal]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/13/volkswagen-cross-up-headed-for-production-after-geneva-reveal/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/13/volkswagen-cross-up-headed-for-production-after-geneva-reveal/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/13/volkswagen-cross-up-headed-for-production-after-geneva-reveal/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2013 Volkswagen Cross Up! - front three-quarter view in city setting

The last time we saw the Volkswagen Cross Up!, it was sitting out in the snow in prototype form, but the next time we'll see this slightly more rugged version of the diminutive Up! hatchback will be when it makes its production debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month. Looking like a micro-crossover with its raised ground clearance and black cladding, the Cross Up! will be the fourth "Cross" model for VW (after the CrossPolo, CrossGolf and CrossTouran) when it goes on sale this summer in mainland Europe (UK sales remain up in the air and US sales are highly unlikely).

Overall, the styling of the production Cross Up! has stayed fairly true to the 2011 concept car, including the front and rear fascias that offer a more rugged look, stocky 16-inch wheels and roof rack side rails. Inside, this model will get unique interior enhancements such as "Cross Up!" sill plates and an instrument panel available in red, black or silver. Like the regular Up!, the Cross Up! is powered by a 74-horsepower, 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine paired to a five-speed manual transmission, and it doesn't look like all-wheel drive will be part of the picture. For more details on the upcoming Cross Up!, check out VW's press release posted below.

Continue reading Volkswagen Cross Up! headed for production after Geneva reveal

Volkswagen Cross Up! headed for production after Geneva reveal originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Feb 2013 17:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cross upgenevageneva 2013geneva motor showupvolkswagenvolkswagen upvwvw upWed, 13 Feb 2013 17:44:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20460409/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/13/volkswagen-cross-up-headed-for-production-after-geneva-reveal/20460409/article-detail.xml 20460409 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/vw-cross-up_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/vw-cross-up.jpg <![CDATA[Volkswagen Cross Up! caught in the cold]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/07/volkswagen-cross-up-caught-in-the-cold/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/07/volkswagen-cross-up-caught-in-the-cold/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/07/volkswagen-cross-up-caught-in-the-cold/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Volkswagen Cross Up! prototype caught during winter testing

The Volkswagen Cross Up! started life as a concept vehicle at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, but based on these spy shots, the jacked-up microcar looks to be heading into production, poised to join VW's European lifted lineup alongside the CrossPolo, CrossGolf and CrossTouran.

Like stockier versions of the Polo, Golf and Touran, this prototype suggests that Cross versions of the Up! will be set apart by a taller stance and black plastic cladding along the lower edges of the bodywork. This winter tester's meaty snow tires also do a pretty good job of making the model look ready for an afternoon of extreme soft-roading.

Volkswagen Cross Up! caught in the cold originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Dec 2012 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cross upspy photosspy shotsupvolkswagenvolkswagen cross upvolkswagen upvwFri, 07 Dec 2012 19:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20396283/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/07/volkswagen-cross-up-caught-in-the-cold/20396283/article-detail.xml 20396283 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/volkswagen-cross-up-spy-sho_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/volkswagen-cross-up-spy-sho.jpg <![CDATA[Tightest parallel parking record falls yet again]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/03/tightest-parallel-parking-record-falls-yet-again/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/03/tightest-parallel-parking-record-falls-yet-again/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/03/tightest-parallel-parking-record-falls-yet-again/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

World Record Parallel Parking

It looks as if Mini didn't get to hold onto its Guinness World Record for the tightest parallel parking job for all that long. German stunt driver Ronny Wechselberger managed to slide a Volkswagen Up! into a space of just 12 feet and 0.88 inches. Given that the three-door Up! takes up a full 11 feet and 7.37 inches of space itself, the remaining room front and rear was less than the length of a Bic pen. The margin makes the Mini effort seem down right spacious by comparison. Ronny C' Rock, as the stuntman is also known, pulled off the feat at Flugplatz Kindel in Eisenach, Germany.

Earlier this year, Mini held a promotional event in China that saw driver Han Yue leave just 15 centimeters between his Cooper and two others. Before that, the record stood for just one month. You can watch the new record-setting slide in the video below, and be sure to go back and check out Han Yue's efforts here. Now, let's see them pull out of that spot.

Continue reading Tightest parallel parking record falls yet again

Tightest parallel parking record falls yet again originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Dec 2012 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>guinness book of world recordsguinness world recordparallel parkingupvolkswagenvolkswagen upworld recordMon, 03 Dec 2012 12:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20390422/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/03/tightest-parallel-parking-record-falls-yet-again/20390422/article-detail.xml 20390422 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/world-record-parking-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/world-record-parking-628.jpg <![CDATA[Volkswagen mulling Up!-based crossover]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/volkswagen-mulling-up-based-crossover/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/volkswagen-mulling-up-based-crossover/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/volkswagen-mulling-up-based-crossover/#commentsFiled under: ,



We knew the three-door Volkswagen Up! was going to shape-shift into other variants, one of them being a five-door version that's due later this year. According to word in German newspaper Handelsblatt, the well-received Cross-Up!, which provided clues to the styling of the five-door Up! could actually be the follow-up.

Crossovers remain popular just about everywhere and their sales are on the rise in Europe, so it's no surprise that manufacturers are finding ways to create market-specific versions. According to the preliminary numbers, the The Cross Up! would slot in at $6,000 less than the larger Tiguan. And like every other tiny Euro crossover - well, almost - we shouldn't ever expect to see it here.

Volkswagen mulling Up!-based crossover originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 May 2012 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cross upupvolkswagenvolkswagen cross upvolkswagen upWed, 09 May 2012 07:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20232345/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/09/volkswagen-mulling-up-based-crossover/20232345/article-detail.xml 20232345 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/crossupcoming_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/crossupcoming.jpg <![CDATA[How European Central Bank loans may have subsidized the Volkswagen Up!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/23/how-european-central-bank-loans-may-have-subsidized-the-volkswag/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/23/how-european-central-bank-loans-may-have-subsidized-the-volkswag/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/23/how-european-central-bank-loans-may-have-subsidized-the-volkswag/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

2012 Volkswagen Up!

The New York Times reports the European Central Bank may have inadvertently helped buyers looking to take home a new Volkswagen Up! secure low-interest loans. Volkswagen Financial Services was one of many institutions that took advantage of the €1 trillion the central bank set aside to be loaned out at just one percent interest. Volkswagen borrowed €2 billion (about $2.6 billion USD) of that money, and plans to offer the cash to buyers in the form of loans with low three to four percent interest. While the goal of the low-interest loans was originally to stabilize uncertain markets, automakers and other industries are taking advantage of the effectively free cash.

Mercedes Bank has already taken advantage of the generous terms, and PSA Financing, a unit of Peugeot and Citroën, has made mention of doing the same in an attempt to stave off looming poor sales. According to The New York Times, the European auto industry may be facing down its second downturn since 2009. Registrations for new vehicles were down 8.3 percent between January and February of this year compared to the same period in 2011.

How European Central Bank loans may have subsidized the Volkswagen Up! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>european central bankmercedes bankpsa financingupvolkswagenvolkswagen financial servicesvolkswagen upFri, 23 Mar 2012 18:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20198156/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/23/how-european-central-bank-loans-may-have-subsidized-the-volkswag/20198156/article-detail.xml 20198156 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/volkswagen-up-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/volkswagen-up-628.jpg <![CDATA[Volkswagen bringing four Up! concepts to Geneva]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/01/volkswagen-bringing-four-up-concepts-to-geneva/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/01/volkswagen-bringing-four-up-concepts-to-geneva/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/01/volkswagen-bringing-four-up-concepts-to-geneva/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Volkswagen Up! family of Geneva Motor Show concepts

The Up! supermini goes on sale in Europe in a few days, but Volkswagen has already been hard at work casting about for ideas to expand beyond the three-door model available at launch. A five-door will go on sale later this year, and VW showed a few Up! concepts last fall at the Frankfurt Motor Show. For Geneva next week, the cute little city car gets four new outfits: Swiss Up!, Winter Up!, X Up!, and Cargo Up!

The Swiss Up! is the red one, notable only in that the seat backs contain leather bands suitable for storing Swiss Army knives (seriously?). If you can't figure out which one is the Winter Up!, perhaps you need to move further away from the equator. It's based on the Cross Up! concept from Frankfurt, boasting the same higher ride height and underbody protection. Also based on the Cross Up! is the X Up! - that's the orange one with the lights on it. Perhaps the most intriguing is the Cargo Up!, which gave up its rear seats in favor of a 49 cubic-foot cargo hold capable of caring a 939-pound payload.

With three of four of these design studies having lifted bodies, it's pretty safe to say that VW is likely to launch the Cross Up! as the next model in the family after the GT Up! sportster. We're big fans of this tiny VW, so from where we sit, this is good news - the more models, the merrier. Though we do wish VW would consider offering an Up! on our side of the pond. Click past the jump to read the full press release.

Continue reading Volkswagen bringing four Up! concepts to Geneva

Volkswagen bringing four Up! concepts to Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cargo upcross upgenevageneva 2012geneva motor showswiss upupup conceptvolkswagenvolkswagen upvwvw upwinter upx upThu, 01 Mar 2012 13:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20183566/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/01/volkswagen-bringing-four-up-concepts-to-geneva/20183566/article-detail.xml 20183566 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/vw-up-family-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/vw-up-family-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Seat announces five-door Mii city car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/08/seat-announces-five-door-mii-city-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/08/seat-announces-five-door-mii-city-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/08/seat-announces-five-door-mii-city-car/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Seat Mii

We knew at its unveiling in Frankfurt that the debut of the production version of the Volkswagen Up! was only the beginning, what with all the concept versions Volkswagen showcased over the years. But that was only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. VW isn't the only brand in the group that will offer the little city car, and its sister marques are eager to follow suit.

So after Volkswagen debuted the Up!, Skoda unveiled the Citigo and Seat showcased the Mii - all versions of the same vehicle, but with slightly modified sheetmetal and different nameplates. But those were only the three-door versions. Now that Volkswagen has confirmed the five-door Up! and Skoda the five-door Citigo, Seat is taking its turn with the five-door Mii.

The similarities between the Mii, Citigo and Up are, of course, greater than the differences. But at the end of the day, the variety gives European buyers a greater range of choices when buying their new city car, even if similar exercises on this side of the Atlantic - Plymouth, Mercury, Pontiac, Oldsmobile...we're looking at you - have long since disappeared.

Continue reading Seat announces five-door Mii city car

Seat announces five-door Mii city car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>miiseatseat miiupvolkswagen upWed, 08 Feb 2012 08:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20165841/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/08/seat-announces-five-door-mii-city-car/20165841/article-detail.xml 20165841 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/mii5_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/mii5.jpg <![CDATA[Skoda up!grades with five-door Citigo]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/06/skoda-up-grades-with-five-door-citigo/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/06/skoda-up-grades-with-five-door-citigo/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/06/skoda-up-grades-with-five-door-citigo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Skoda Citigo

On this side of the Atlantic, one Volkswagen division's new product may not have a significant impact on those of another. That's because the German auto giant's brands are kept quite separate in North America. Less so, however, back in Europe, where a new VW is likely to reappear in due time as a Seat or Skoda.

Case in point: the new Up! city car, which is also sold overseas as the Seat Mii and Skoda Citigo. And, true to form, with the Volkswagen brand having enlarged its city car to a five-door, its Czech cousin has followed suit.

And so, starting in May (after its debut at the Geneva Motor Show), European buyers will be able to get their hands on a five-door Citigo, offering the same 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine (in either 60- or 75-horsepower guise) as the Up, Mii and three-door Citigo. Details in the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Skoda up!grades with five-door Citigo

Skoda up!grades with five-door Citigo originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>citigoskodaskoda citigoupvolkswagen upMon, 06 Feb 2012 17:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20160356/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/06/skoda-up-grades-with-five-door-citigo/20160356/article-detail.xml 20160356 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/citigo5web_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/citigo5web.jpg <![CDATA[Volkswagen approves Up! GT for production]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/23/volkswagen-approves-up-gt-for-production/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/23/volkswagen-approves-up-gt-for-production/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/23/volkswagen-approves-up-gt-for-production/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Volkswagen GT Up! concept

The Volkswagen Golf GTI stands as an enduring icon in the hot hatch genre. But as the Golf gets bigger, so does the GTI, and when it comes to hot hatches, bigger is not always better. That's where the Polo GTI comes in, but if even that's too big for minimalists, Volkswagen is reportedly set on putting the Up! GT into production.

Unveiled as a show car alongside the production Up! at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year, the GT Up! concept pictured above incorporated 17-inch alloys to fill those little wheel wells, a new front end with wider grille, bigger brake ducts and integrated LED accents, as well as a diffuser, spoiler and twin exhaust pipes installed around back.

According to PistonHeads, the production Up! GT is tipped to get a three-cylinder turbo driving around 110 horsepower through a six-speed gearbox to the front wheels. That may be less than the 133 hp packaged by the Renaultsport Twingo, but could prove a feisty pocket rocket in its own right.

Volkswagen approves Up! GT for production originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gt upgtiupup gtup gtivolkswagenvolkswagen gt upvolkswagen upvolkswagen up gtvwvw upMon, 23 Jan 2012 17:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20154041/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/23/volkswagen-approves-up-gt-for-production/20154041/article-detail.xml 20154041 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/webvw-gt-up_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/webvw-gt-up.jpg <![CDATA[Volkswagen reveals production five-door Up!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/23/volkswagen-reveals-production-five-door-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/23/volkswagen-reveals-production-five-door-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/23/volkswagen-reveals-production-five-door-up/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Volkswagen Up! Five-Door

Volkswagen has unveiled the new production model five-door Up! after patent drawings of the vehicle made their way to the web. The newest member to the Volkswagen small-car line is expected to land on dealer lots in Germany by early March, with availability opening up to the rest of Europe by summer. The vehicle will launch with the exact same engines and external dimensions as its three-door brethren. That means buyers will be able to opt for either a 60-horsepower, 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine or a 75 horsepower version of the same powerplant. Even so, Volkswagen anticipates roughly half of Up! buyers will opt for the new five-door bodystyle.

The five-door Up! does serve up a few stylistic changes over its three-door counterpart beyond the addition of two extra doors. For starters, the rear hatch is solid glass and the hatchback's side profile line is now basically straight from front to rear. In the three-door version, that line kicks up slightly as it heads toward the rear of the vehicle. Buyers can expect to pay $13,295 (including Europe's notorious taxes) at current conversion rates, which is a little over $600 more than the three-door hatch. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Volkswagen reveals production five-door Up!

Volkswagen reveals production five-door Up! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 volkswagen upfive-doorupup five doorvolkswagen upvolkswagen up five doorvwMon, 23 Jan 2012 13:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20154402/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/23/volkswagen-reveals-production-five-door-up/20154402/article-detail.xml 20154402 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/vw-up-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/vw-up-628.jpg <![CDATA[Volkswagen Up! five-door hits the patent office]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/18/volkswagen-up-five-door-hits-the-patent-office/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/18/volkswagen-up-five-door-hits-the-patent-office/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/18/volkswagen-up-five-door-hits-the-patent-office/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Volkswagen Up! Five Door

Images of a five-door version of the Volkswagen Up! have surfaced courtesy of a European patent office. The German automaker confirmed a five-door version of the pint-sized vehicle was headed to market, and Volkswagen even went so far as to show off the Cross Up! Concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Judging by the patent photo, the production version of the five-door Up! will stick fairly close to the concept and will ride on a similarly tall suspension. That should give the vehicle more of a mini crossover appearance instead of a small hatchback.

Information on drivetrain options is suitably scarce at the moment, but we expect the five-door Up! to roll off of the production line with the same engines as its shorter three-door kin. That means buyers should be able to tick boxes for either a 59-horsepower gasoline engine or a brawny 74-horsepower gas powerplant. A 67-horsepower natural gas engine is also available in the Up! as well. A taller-riding Up! is a perfect fit in Russia and South America where roads can vary from uncomfortable to inhumane.

Volkswagen Up! five-door hits the patent office originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cross upfive door upupup five doorvolkswagenvolkswagen cross upvolkswagen upvolkswagen up five doorWed, 18 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20150264/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/18/volkswagen-up-five-door-hits-the-patent-office/20150264/article-detail.xml 20150264 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/volkswagen-up-five-door-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/volkswagen-up-five-door-628.jpg <![CDATA[Volkswagen concept injects Up! with a shot of GT]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/01/volkswagen-concept-injects-up-with-a-shot-of-gt/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/01/volkswagen-concept-injects-up-with-a-shot-of-gt/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/01/volkswagen-concept-injects-up-with-a-shot-of-gt/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Volkswagen GT Up! concept

As small as the car is itself, Volkswagen wanted to ensure its Up! city car would make a big impact when it lifted the veil on the production model at the Frankfurt Motor Show. So along with the basic three-door hatch, the German automaker also brought out a series of concept cars that gave us a hint at what the future of the product line could hold in store.

Though little in the way of details were offered on the show floor, Volkswagen has been highlighting these concepts one at a time in the weeks that have passed since. First in line was the Cross Up! that confirmed the arrival of a five-door model. Then came the Buggy Up! that showed a more playful side of the platform. Now Wolfsburg has detailed the GT Up!, demonstrating the little hatchback's sporting potential.

Applying a similar formula that's transformed the Golf into the GTI, the GT Up! packs such performance-oriented extras as 17-inch alloys filling up those little wheel wells, a wider grille, brake ducts with integrated LED daytime running lights, extended side sills, gloss-black side mirror housings, a rear spoiler and diffuser and twin exhaust pipes.

The interior has been done up with blue-checked anthracite upholstery, a black headliner, gloss-black trim and leather-wrapped three-spoke wheel. While the GT Up isn't quite confirmed for production at this point, it does show us what could come down the pipeline. In the meantime, you can check out the high-resolution images and the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Volkswagen concept injects Up! with a shot of GT

Volkswagen concept injects Up! with a shot of GT originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gt upupup gtvolkswagenvolkswagen gt upvolkswagen upvwvw gt upvw upTue, 01 Nov 2011 17:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20095512/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/01/volkswagen-concept-injects-up-with-a-shot-of-gt/20095512/article-detail.xml 20095512 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/webvw-gt-up_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/webvw-gt-up.jpg <![CDATA[How many people can you fit in a Volkswagen... Up!?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/25/how-many-people-can-you-fit-in-a-volkswagen-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/25/how-many-people-can-you-fit-in-a-volkswagen-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/25/how-many-people-can-you-fit-in-a-volkswagen-up/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

How many people can you fit in a VW Up?

How many people can you fit in a Volkswagen? It's a question that's been around nearly as long as the automaker itself, and usually applies to the Beetle. Back in the 1950s in Australia, 17 people fit into the original. In 2010, a group in Kentucky set the record with 20. Twenty-seven is the most that could squeeze into a New Beetle in 2001, and you can bet someone will try it with the latest Beetle, too. But Volkswagen's own communications staff in the UK were curious to see how many of them could fit into the new Up!

So how many did they squeeze in? A total of 16 poor souls - or fifteen ladies and one chap who maybe thought he'd be in for the time of his life but probably found out otherwise. Comfortable or not, they put four on the front seats, seven in the back, one on the dashboard, one in each of the footwells and two in the trunk, with the doors and hatchback closed. Not too shabby, but we bet some group somewhere will manage to squeeze in another couple of friends sooner or later.

Continue reading How many people can you fit in a Volkswagen... Up!?

How many people can you fit in a Volkswagen... Up!? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Oct 2011 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>upvolkswagenvolkswagen upvwvw upTue, 25 Oct 2011 08:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20088309/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/25/how-many-people-can-you-fit-in-a-volkswagen-up/20088309/article-detail.xml 20088309 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/web16up_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/web16up.jpg <![CDATA[Volkswagen brings Buggy Up! concept back from the beach]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/03/volkswagen-brings-buggy-up-concept-back-from-the-beach/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/03/volkswagen-brings-buggy-up-concept-back-from-the-beach/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/03/volkswagen-brings-buggy-up-concept-back-from-the-beach/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Volkswagen Buggy Up! concept

Typically an automaker releases information on its latest concept cars in the days and weeks running up to the auto show where it's set to be unveiled. But when we got to Frankfurt this year, Volkswagen had a few surprises up its sleeve that were neither previewed beforehand nor unveiled at the VW Group event the night before the Messe opened its doors to the gathered press.

Not only did Volkswagen unveil the new production Up! city car, it also showcased a whole mess of Up-based concept cars as well. Included on the company's sprawling show stand were the Up! Azzurra, the Cross Up!, GT Up!, Eco Up!, e-Up! and this, the Buggy Up!, which the German automaker has just now detailed to satisfy your curiosity.

Drawing its inspiration from the iconic Meyers Manx and other such Beetle-based beach buggies, the Buggy Up! concept takes the new urban hatchback's mechanical bits and covers them in a new shape that has no doors. Instead, there's a waterproof cockpit with two neoprene bucket seats, drain holes, a grab-handle for the passenger, a removable infotainment module and a fabric roof. The hatchback, meanwhile, has been replaced with a trunklid that splits to fold up and down for easy access.

It was a nice little surprise when we stumbled upon it on the show floor, and you can check it out in the fresh batch of images from the manufacturer, along with our own gallery of live images, and the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Volkswagen brings Buggy Up! concept back from the beach

Volkswagen brings Buggy Up! concept back from the beach originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 frankfurt motor showbeach buggybuggybuggy upfrankfurtup conceptvolkswagenvolkswagen buggy upvolkswagen upMon, 03 Oct 2011 19:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20071555/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/03/volkswagen-brings-buggy-up-concept-back-from-the-beach/20071555/article-detail.xml 20071555 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/web-buggyup_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/web-buggyup.jpg <![CDATA[Volkswagen confirms five-door Up! on its way]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/03/volkswagen-confirms-five-door-up-on-its-way/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/03/volkswagen-confirms-five-door-up-on-its-way/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/03/volkswagen-confirms-five-door-up-on-its-way/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Volkswagen Cross Up! concept

For this year's Frankfurt Motor Show, Volkswagen was bent on making a splash with the production version of its long-anticipated Up! city car. But at an expo packed with countless exciting supercars on display, a humble vehicle like the Up! could easily have been overshadowed. So VW didn't just bring one car, it brought a dozen or so - and keeping them fresh was quite an accomplishment when you consider that the production version is only available (initially, at least) in one body style. But that's about to change.

With the show now behind us, Volkswagen has now confirmed that the Up! will be available later next year as a five-door model to join the three-door unveiled in Frankfurt. So what can we expect? Sneaky as VW is, they've already showed us with the Cross Up! concept that was mixed in with the batch of otherwise three-door (or entirely doorless) show cars displayed at its sprawling show stand at the Messe.

The concept's five-door shape - including a straighter shoulder-line instead of the upward kink in the three-door - will carry over from the Cross Up! but the off-road bits (like the beefed-up bumpers and wheel arch extensions) likely won't. At least not on the standard five-door Up!, though there's no telling what variants VW could squeeze out in the future.

Continue reading Volkswagen confirms five-door Up! on its way

Volkswagen confirms five-door Up! on its way originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>upvolkswagenvolkswagen cross upvolkswagen upvw cross upvw upMon, 03 Oct 2011 08:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20071726/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/03/volkswagen-confirms-five-door-up-on-its-way/20071726/article-detail.xml 20071726 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/webcrossup_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/webcrossup.jpg <![CDATA[Is Seat getting its own version of the VW Up?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/29/is-seat-getting-its-own-version-of-the-vw-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/29/is-seat-getting-its-own-version-of-the-vw-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/29/is-seat-getting-its-own-version-of-the-vw-up/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Seat Up! pic

Could this be Seat's version of the Volkswagen Up!? Skoda recently showed off its take on the Up! runabout, the Citigo, and it's plausible that VW wants to make the biggest statement possible with the little car. The diminutive hatchback could also be employed to help reverse Seat's fortunes - remember, in May of 2010, the Spanish brand was put on notice about its financial performance. An innovative and inexpensive city car could help round out the planned portfolio expansion.

At the Frankfurt Motor Show, our sister UK site reported that Seat was working on a sporty version of the Up! that would be "good to drive." However, there wasn't any additional information at the source site, so we aren't sure how much of the image above is an actual photo and how much is rendering. We expect it would still come, as the rest, with either the 59- or 74-horsepower, 1.0-liter three-clinder engines.

Is Seat getting its own version of the VW Up? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>seatseat upskoda citigoupvolkswagen upvw upThu, 29 Sep 2011 10:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20069540/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/29/is-seat-getting-its-own-version-of-the-vw-up/20069540/article-detail.xml 20069540 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/seatupvariant_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/seatupvariant.jpg <![CDATA[Volkswagen on the rise with a variety of Up! concepts [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/14/volkswagen-up-concepts-azzurra-cross-up-eco-frankfurt-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/14/volkswagen-up-concepts-azzurra-cross-up-eco-frankfurt-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/14/volkswagen-up-concepts-azzurra-cross-up-eco-frankfurt-2011/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Volkswagen Up Buggy

Volkswagen is eager to show off its new Up! range, so the automaker didn't bring one version of the compact to the Frankfurt Motor Show - it brought six. The Up! platform is clearly a versatile one, and all six Up! concepts on display attest to that fact. Volkswagen has an Up! for people who enjoy a day spent sailing on the water to those who prefer their adventures to be of the urban variety.

The six concept Up! varieties are the Buggy Up! (shown above), Up! Azzurra, Cross Up!, GT Up!, Eco Up! and e-Up! The Buggy and Azzurra are designed for those who want to get close to the ocean. The Buggy is clearly a modern take on the classic VW-based kit cars from the 1960s. It's a modern Meyers Manx, or perhaps a riff on the old VW Thing. The Azzurra, on the other hand, also likes the beach but prefers to stay dockside while its occupants take to the sea. Penned by Italian designers Giorgetto Giugiaro and VW design boss Walter de Silva, the Up! Azzurra is a roofless, doorless summer time cruiser that's the perfect land toy for boat lovers.

Volkswagen couldn't go completely doorless with the Up! family, so a few had to cover up will remaining fun. The Cross Up! is a four-door example that applies lifted CUV dynamics to the Up! platform. Those seeking a more enthusiastic driving experience should turn their attention to the GT Up! concept. VW estimates it can push the standard 74-horsepower Up! engine to produce 100 horses for the GT version. Add in the 17-inch wheels, rear spoiler and upgraded exhaust, and you have a sporty Up! designed to add a thrill to your morning commute.

Since the Up! is an affordable compact designed for life in the city, you would expect Volkswagen to add a few versions that up the green quotient. The automaker has done just that with the e-Up! and Eco Up! The "e" in the name of the former alludes to the fact that this vehicle is an all-electric city car with no emissions spewing out the back. Power is provided by an 18 kWh battery pack, which will allow the e Up! to go 80 miles on a single charge. The Eco Up! needs fuel to get going, but it eschews traditional gasoline for natural gas, a start/stop system and brake regeneration. A 1-liter three-cylinder engine produces 67 horsepower and, when coupled with the BlueMotion start/stop system, achieves a combined fuel consumption figure of just 2.5kg/100km.

Check out the entire Up! family by clicking through the gallery and checking out VW's first Up! promo video after the jump. We would join you, but we have to go find a replacement for our failing exclamation point key.

Continue reading Volkswagen on the rise with a variety of Up! concepts [w/video]

Volkswagen on the rise with a variety of Up! concepts [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 frankfurtbuggy upcross upe upeco upfrankfurtfrankfurt motor showgt upupup azzurraup buggyvolkswagen upvwvw upWed, 14 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20042416/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/14/volkswagen-up-concepts-azzurra-cross-up-eco-frankfurt-2011/20042416/article-detail.xml 20042416 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/vw-up-variants-frankfurt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/vw-up-variants-frankfurt.jpg <![CDATA[2012 Volkswagen Up! finally ready for production]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/13/2012-volkswagen-up-production-frankfurt-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/13/2012-volkswagen-up-production-frankfurt-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/13/2012-volkswagen-up-production-frankfurt-2011/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The 2012 Volkswagen Up! production model is finally here. To be made available in several flavors, the go-to vanilla offering is remarkable as much for its meandering gestation as it is for its price: €9,850 for the Move Up! "convenience-oriented model" (about $13,500 USD, including Germany's costly Value Added Tax). That model will have the 59-horsepower gas engine that slots below the available gas-powered 74-hp engine and 67-horsepower natural-gas engine.

In keeping with the fixed-menu offerings that characterize the small-car segment, there will be a convenience-oriented Up!, High Up!, Up! Black and Up! White models that bring a set number of options to the party. (We! Don't! Know! About! You! But! We're! Getting! Tired! Of! All! This! Ridiculous! Marketspeak! Naming! And! Crazy! Punctuation!)

According to VW, an innovative financing plan called AutoCredit2 will roll into overseas dealerships to aid sales of the car, but we don't know anything about that yet. Also, still no word on whether the Up! franchise will make it to North America, but we wouldn't count on it, at least with this generation of products - after all, we're still waiting on something like the next Polo.

So hop on into the gallery of high-res photos for some Up! White and see if it might be worthy of your wily financing schemes.

Continue reading 2012 Volkswagen Up! finally ready for production

2012 Volkswagen Up! finally ready for production originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 frankfurt2012 up2012 volkswagen upfrankfurtfrankfurt motor showupvolkswagenvolkswagen upvwwhite upTue, 13 Sep 2011 13:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20041208/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/13/2012-volkswagen-up-production-frankfurt-2011/20041208/article-detail.xml 20041208 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/10vw-upiaa11-1315902829_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/10vw-upiaa11-1315902829.jpg <![CDATA[Rendered Speculation: VW Up! GTI]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/25/rendered-speculation-vw-up-gti/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/25/rendered-speculation-vw-up-gti/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/25/rendered-speculation-vw-up-gti/#commentsFiled under: , ,

volkswagen up! gti

Volkswagen recently revealed the production version of its dimunitive Up! ahead of its Frankfurt Motor Show reveal, and the Internet is already buzzing with probable varieties of the stylish subcompact. PS-Garage.com designer Seljakboy (A.K.A. Ivan Martinović) turned in his own interpretation of a hotted-up version, the Up! GTI.

First impressions? We like what we're looking at, and we hope Volkswagen takes a peek as well. The wheels, black and red trim and center-mounted exhaust outlets in the back all give the standard Up! a visual punch that would look perfect on a sporty version. Check it out for yourself in the gallery.

Rendered Speculation: VW Up! GTI originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ps-garagerenderingupup gtivolkswagenvolkswagen upvolkswagen up gtivw upThu, 25 Aug 2011 16:56:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20026851/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/08/25/rendered-speculation-vw-up-gti/20026851/article-detail.xml 20026851 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/volkswagenupgtibyseljakboyivanmartinovips-garagefront-lead_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/volkswagenupgtibyseljakboyivanmartinovips-garagefront-lead.jpg <![CDATA[Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #244 LIVE]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/22/submit-your-questions-for-autoblog-podcast-244-live/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/22/submit-your-questions-for-autoblog-podcast-244-live/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/22/submit-your-questions-for-autoblog-podcast-244-live/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Autoblog Podcast

We record Episode #244 of the Autoblog Podcast tonight, and you can drop Chris, Dan and Zach your questions via our Q&A module below. Check out our discussion topics or chime in to help determine what else the crew chats about this evening, too. Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven't already done so, and if you want to take it all in live, tune in to our UStream (audio only) channel at 10:00 PM Eastern tonight.

Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #244

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Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #244 LIVE originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 17:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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