Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Volkswagen introduces four new Up! concepts, because we didn't have enough already]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/06/volkswagen-up!-concepts-geneva-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/06/volkswagen-up!-concepts-geneva-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/06/volkswagen-up!-concepts-geneva-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Swiss. Winter. X. Cargo.

Those are the names of the four new Up! models that Volkswagen has brought to the Geneva Motor Show, the latest expansion of the supermini that by now has more personalities than the United States of Tara.

You might think the Swiss Up! is named for the its Geneva debut location, but instead it's all about versatility, like a Swiss Army knife. We couldn't get a view inside the car, but the name association is taken to the extreme with knife holders on the backs of the front seats. How's that for practical?

The Cargo version is a bit more self-explanatory, turning the small car into a reasonable delivery vehicle that will carry 49 cubic-feet of goods. The X Up!, on the other hand, is designed for adventure, with searchlights and a roof box. The Winter Up! comes ready for the mountain slopes with snowboards on the roof and a higher ride height to clear icy hurdles.

None of these clever new concepts will be available when the first Up! model goes on sale in Europe this week, but they do show that VW is serious about thinking outside the standard econobox. The Swiss Up! is the snazzy red one pictured above, and you can see all four models in the galleries we've included from the show floor.

Continue reading Volkswagen introduces four new Up! concepts, because we didn't have enough already

Volkswagen introduces four new Up! concepts, because we didn't have enough already originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cargo upgenevageneva 2012geneva motor showswiss upupvolkwagen upvw upwinter upx upTue, 06 Mar 2012 16:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20186974/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/06/volkswagen-up!-concepts-geneva-2012/20186974/article-detail.xml 20186974 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/092012-volkswagen-swiss-upgeneva2012-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/092012-volkswagen-swiss-upgeneva2012-opt.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[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[2012 Volkswagen Up! [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/22/2012-volkswagen-up-first-drive-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/22/2012-volkswagen-up-first-drive-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/22/2012-volkswagen-up-first-drive-review/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

VW Finally Rediscovers Its (Very) Small Car Roots



Big old Volkswagen is back to thinking small, and it's finally doing it right. After a frankly awful attempt at supplying the rest of the world with cheap tin boxes by the name of Fox and an only modestly successful run with the Lupo, company bosses have done some soul searching and this is the result: a tiny road warrior that's absolutely worthy of the 6.3-inch wide emblem on its grill.

It might seem like only yesterday, but the Up! was first shown as a concept back in the pre-crisis days of 2007 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Talk about fortuitous timing, because this 2+2 three-door minicar is exactly the sort of car that much of economically stunned Europe is craving nowadays. We all, Euro or Yank, want as much premium feel in our cars as cheaply as possible, and this is exactly why the little Up! is destined to clobber The Continent's vast field of city cars.

We've just spent 12 days in a top-trim Up! White Edition driving around in what certainly will be one of the car's major markets: the piratical, everyone-for-themselves streets of Milan, Italy. With our American brainset, at first we thought, "Yeah, it's really cute and useful, well built and all, but..." That qualifying "but" was just because the Up! is so small in every dimension save front seat room. As we would come to learn over our dozen days, with an all-new 1.0-liter, 74-horsepower three-cylinder and a serviceable five-speed manual, this little bugger can be a little roll-y in tight curves taken with any spirit, but she sure is fun.

Continue reading 2012 Volkswagen Up! [w/video]

2012 Volkswagen Up! [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 volkswagen upfeaturedfirst driveFirstDriveupup reviewvolkswagenvwvw upThu, 22 Dec 2011 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20133288/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/22/2012-volkswagen-up-first-drive-review/20133288/article-detail.xml 20133288 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/03-2012-volkswagen-up-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/03-2012-volkswagen-up-opt.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[Seat is all grown Up! with a Mii of its own [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/03/seat-is-all-grown-up-with-a-mii-of-its-own-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/03/seat-is-all-grown-up-with-a-mii-of-its-own-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/03/seat-is-all-grown-up-with-a-mii-of-its-own-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2012 Seat Mii

After a seemingly endless stream of Up! concept cars rolled out by Volkswagen over the past few years, the production version is finally upon us. But don't think for even a second that this is the end. No, it's just the beginning, with numerous Up-based models to follow, and not all of them will carry a VW badge.

Skoda was the first VW division to get its own version called the Citigo, and now Seat is following suit with a rebadged version of its own dubbed Mii. Launching in Spain next month before rolling out across Europe in the spring, the Mii will be available initially as a three-door before the five-door variant follows next year.

Overseas buyers will be able to choose between three trim levels, two equipment packages (Chic with chrome trim and Sport with firmer suspension and tinted windows) , two engine specs (1.0-liter threes with 59 or 74 horsepower), two transmissions (manual or robotized) and an optional Economotive pack with stop-start engine management and regenerative braking.

The last time Seat sold a car in this segment, it was the Arosa, a model discontinued in 2005. But while Seat models typically look more dynamic than their Volkswagen and Skoda counterparts (think Ibiza vs. Polo and Fabia), this time - from a styling perspective, anyway - we think we'd stick with the VW. But don't take our word for it: check out the high-resolution images in the gallery, and the video footage and press release after the jump and share your thoughts in Comments.

Continue reading Seat is all grown Up! with a Mii of its own [w/video]

Seat is all grown Up! with a Mii of its own [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 seat miimiiseatseat miiupvw upMon, 03 Oct 2011 18:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20072307/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/03/seat-is-all-grown-up-with-a-mii-of-its-own-w-video/20072307/article-detail.xml 20072307 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/webseat-mii_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/webseat-mii.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[Skoda unveils Volkswagen Up!-based Citigo]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/27/skoda-unveils-volkswagen-up-based-citigo/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/27/skoda-unveils-volkswagen-up-based-citigo/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/27/skoda-unveils-volkswagen-up-based-citigo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



This is the all-new Skoda Citigo, and if you're thinking that it looks rather familiar, that's because its Volkswagen-badged kin recently debuted at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. That's right, the long-rumored Skoda version of Volkswagen's new Up! city car has finally arrived.

Buyers will have a choice of two 1.0-liter three-cylinder engines - one with 59 horsepower, the other with a 74 hp and a blistering 106 mph top speed - both mated to a five-speed manual transmission. Powerful they are not, but these three-bangers should prove to be extremely efficient, with Skoda quoting fuel economy numbers of 62.8 and 60.1 miles per gallon, respectively (on the European cycle).

Being a Skoda, the Citigo will go on sale in its home market of the Czech Republic this fall, with the rest of Europe getting the car next summer. Follow the jump for Skoda's official release.

Continue reading Skoda unveils Volkswagen Up!-based Citigo

Skoda unveils Volkswagen Up!-based Citigo originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 skoda citigo2012 volkswagen upcitigoskodaupvolkswagenvwvw upTue, 27 Sep 2011 16:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20067837/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/27/skoda-unveils-volkswagen-up-based-citigo/20067837/article-detail.xml 20067837 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/65469sko-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/65469sko-628.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[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[Volkswagen unveils production Up! ahead of Frankfurt debut]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/21/volkswagen-unveils-production-up-on-the-road-to-frankfurt/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/21/volkswagen-unveils-production-up-on-the-road-to-frankfurt/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/21/volkswagen-unveils-production-up-on-the-road-to-frankfurt/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Volkswagen Up!

Transport an original Beetle driver to the present-day from the 1960s, and it's unlikely that the time-traveler would ever recognize a Touareg or a Phaeton as a Volkswagen. The opposite might be true of the tiny new Up!, the production version of which has just been revealed ahead of its formal debut in Frankfurt next month.

The evolution of the car you see here dates back to the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show when Volkswagen unveiled the first Up! show car. Since then, it's been fine-tuned with a series of follow-up concepts. Four years later, we have the full details on the production car. Follow the jump to read all about it.

Continue reading Volkswagen unveils production Up! ahead of Frankfurt debut

Volkswagen unveils production Up! ahead of Frankfurt debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Aug 2011 16:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 frankfurt2012 volkswagen upbreakingfrankfurtfrankfurt motor showupvolkswagenvolkswagen upvwvw upSun, 21 Aug 2011 16:44:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20023017/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/08/21/volkswagen-unveils-production-up-on-the-road-to-frankfurt/20023017/article-detail.xml 20023017 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/05-vw-up-f34-small_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/05-vw-up-f34-small.jpg <![CDATA[Volkswagen wants to lift you Up! ahead of Frankfurt debut]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/09/volkswagen-wants-to-lift-you-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/09/volkswagen-wants-to-lift-you-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/09/volkswagen-wants-to-lift-you-up/#commentsFiled under: ,

Volkswagen Up! ad

Volkswagen is nearly ready to reveal the production version of its forthcoming Up! ultra-compact. We're hearing rumors that the diminutive cruiser is slated to meet the world towards the end of August, in Paris. After that, VW will bring the car to the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show for a proper press introduction.

The German automaker is looking to prime the pump of public appeal, and has released a brief ad to get you excited about its newest family member. The spot doesn't show you the car, instead opting to try and convey the feeling Volkswagen hopes you'll get when driving the Up!. Check out the new spot by clicking past the jump.

Continue reading Volkswagen wants to lift you Up! ahead of Frankfurt debut

Volkswagen wants to lift you Up! ahead of Frankfurt debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>upvideovolkswagenvolkswagen upvwvw upvw up videoTue, 09 Aug 2011 09:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20012621/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/08/09/volkswagen-wants-to-lift-you-up/20012621/article-detail.xml 20012621 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/volkswagen-up-ad_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/volkswagen-up-ad.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Audi won't be seeing the Up! side - but a Q1 could be in the cards]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/24/report-audi-wont-be-seeing-the-up-side-but-a-q1-could-be-in/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/24/report-audi-wont-be-seeing-the-up-side-but-a-q1-could-be-in/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/24/report-audi-wont-be-seeing-the-up-side-but-a-q1-could-be-in/#commentsFiled under:

VW e-Up! concept

While some automakers - American ones especially - may be consolidating their product line-ups around the world, German automakers seem to be in a constant state of expansion. Audi is no exception, with no fewer, according to Automotive News Europe, than 37 model variants, set to further expand to 42 by 2015. That reportedly won't, however, include a version of the Volkswagen Up! city car program.

Audi CEO Rupert Stadler was quoted as saying he simply could not picture slotting another small car into the line-up underneath the new A1. The marque could, however, go ahead with plans for a compact SUV to fit in beneath the Q3. The vehicle likely to be called Q1 is apparently under consideration.

As for the A1, Audi still does not plan to bring the premium hatchback to the U.S. market, preferring instead to focus on its current line-up while the Brussels plant tasked with assembling the A1 struggles to keep up with demand. Expanding production, as we recently reported with GM's plans for the Chevrolet Volt, will largely depend on the production capacities of the independent suppliers making the components.

[Source: Automotive News Europe - Sub. Req.]

Report: Audi won't be seeing the Up! side - but a Q1 could be in the cards originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a0a1audi a0audi a1audi q3audi upq3upvolkswagen upvw upMon, 24 Jan 2011 09:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19811612/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/01/24/report-audi-wont-be-seeing-the-up-side-but-a-q1-could-be-in/19811612/article-detail.xml 19811612 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/veeup010-1252957776_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/veeup010-1252957776.jpg <![CDATA[Volkswagen rules out use of two-cylinder engine in Up! city car?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/29/volkswagen-rules-out-use-of-two-cylinder-engine-in-up-city-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/29/volkswagen-rules-out-use-of-two-cylinder-engine-in-up-city-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/29/volkswagen-rules-out-use-of-two-cylinder-engine-in-up-city-car/#comments
Volkswagen Up! concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Fiat's recent introduction of the two-cylinder TwinAir engine in the 500 has not swayed Volkswagen to reconsider placing a two-piston mill in its own Up city car. If anything, Fiat's TwinAir debut has convinced VW that two-cylinder engines are simply too costly and complicated to develop.

VW actively pursues engine downsizing, witnessed by its use of three-cylinder gasoline engines and sub-2.0-liter diesel mills but, according to the company's research and development chief, Ulrich Hackenburg, downsizing is nearing the limits and dropping the cylinder count to just two is not in the automaker's near-term plans.

Hackenberg told Autocar that further downsizing is not practical, framing it:
Improvements can now only be made in performance and economy, not in making the engines any smaller. Instead, the Up will make use of three-cylinder engines that will really advance the technology and make strong use of it.
VW technical boss, Michael Hinz, added that even three-cylinder engines can be challenging to develop, stating:
I've seen two-cylinder cars running, but from a production point of view it'd be very hard. Even three-cylinder engines are very expensive as they're not as smooth or refined as we'd like. But we're not going to abandon them.
If Fiat can produce a two-cylinder engine, then other automakers could, too. However, VW displays no immediate interest in tackling the complicated development of a two-pot engine, instead electing to stick with motors packing three pistons or more.


Gallery: VW up!


[Source: Autocar]

Volkswagen rules out use of two-cylinder engine in Up! city car? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 08:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Volkswagen Up! has a show date, that being next year's Frankfurt Auto Show. The little shoe on wheels will have three doors outside, four seats inside, and three cylinders underhood. The car is also expected to go on sale in Europe next year, with deliveries to dealers "in late 2011" and a sticker price of around €10,000 ($14,000 U.S.). After that, a sedan, five-door hatch and minivan will also be added to the mix, with the initial gas and diesel powerplants expanding as well into an electric option - and by then it may be called Lupo.

The electric model will reportedly arrive in 2013 and, it has been rumored, provide the basis for a similar Audi model. What hasn't been said is which (or how many) versions of the Up! will come to America and when that will happen. We know the plain Jane model won't make it Stateside, and a larger electrified Up! was proposed last year, but things are moving so quickly on the alternative fuel front that it's anyone's guess what will actually occur in 2013.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Production Volkswagen Up! headed to Frankfurt Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 07 Nov 2010 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>frankfurt 2011upvolkswagen lupovolkswagen upvw lupovw upSun, 07 Nov 2010 18:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19706435/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/11/07/production-volkswagen-up-headed-to-frankfurt-auto-show/19706435/article-detail.xml 19706435 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/vwupdelivery11_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/vwupdelivery11.jpg <![CDATA[Report: VW resurrects Lupo nameplate for the Up! city car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/18/report-vw-resurrects-lupo-name-for-the-up-e-up-to-be-arrive/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/18/report-vw-resurrects-lupo-name-for-the-up-e-up-to-be-arrive/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/18/report-vw-resurrects-lupo-name-for-the-up-e-up-to-be-arrive/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Volkswagen Up! minicar concept

We'd already heard that we wouldn't be getting the conventionally-powered version of Volkswagen's city car, the Up! Now we hear, per Autocar, that it won't be called the Up!, it will be called Lupo. The Lupo, a nameplate known throughout Europe until it ceased production in 2005, was VW's small, sub-Polo offering. In its new incarnation, the Lupo will replace the Fox, currently the smallest VW sold.

The conventional power of the Up!/Lupo will also come with a more conventional powertrain layout. The rear underfloor-mounted engine was innovative yet ultimately too complex for production. The Lupo that goes on sale next summer is expected to be offered with the choice of either a 1.0-liter three-cylinder gas engine putting out 75 horsepower or a 1.2-liter Bluemotion-branded diesel.

The E-Up that will supposedly hit our shores in 2013 might be coming as an Audi only. The VW Group plans to spread the Up!/Lupo gospel throughout its companies, but the electrified version is being worked on "in partnership with" Audi. Since Audi's already getting all kinds of electric ink in the U.S. thanks to its sexy e-tron concepts, and with the price premium electric cars command, we wouldn't be surprised if the electric Lupo initially comes to the U.S. wearing interlocking nose rings.

[Source: Autocar]

Report: VW resurrects Lupo nameplate for the Up! city car originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Jul 2010 12:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lupovolkswagen e-upvolkswagen lupoVolkswagen upVolkswagenE-upVolkswagenLupoVolkswagenUpvw e-upvw lupovw upVwE-upVwLupoVwUpSun, 18 Jul 2010 12:36:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19558434/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/07/18/report-vw-resurrects-lupo-name-for-the-up-e-up-to-be-arrive/19558434/article-detail.xml 19558434 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/vwuplupo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/vwuplupo.jpg <![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 http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19168782/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/09/22/report-larger-vw-e-up-could-come-to-the-states/19168782/article-detail.xml 19168782 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/02-vw-e-up-live-620op_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/02-vw-e-up-live-620op.jpg <![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.

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