It’s been one of the most-talked about stars of the IAA Frankfurt motor show, and it could well put the Volkswagen back into Volkswagen.
Unveiled to an expectant and hungry press exactly one week ago, the VW up! could revolutionise transport for city slickers who want something different to tool about town in. Why? Well, unlike all other small cars, it has its engine at the back, above the rear wheels, just like the original Beetle. This helps production costs and interior space, which is handy, as the German giant is aiming this car at a global audience.
Trailblazing a new Volkswagen city car due in 2009, it is, for the moment, very much a concept car. Rumoured to go into production in a basic form for developing countries, a posher and more stylish version will be sent to do battle with the competition in established markets. Two other variations are said to be planned for unveilings at shows in both Tokyo and Los Angeles.
With a wheel at each corner and minimal overhangs, the four-seater takes on a monobox appearance, but not at the expense of style. Looking like something cute and cuddly which has escaped from an episode of The Jetsons (or with its white and black colour scheme, Kylie’s ‘Can’t Get You Out of My Head’ video), it almost appears to have a personality. Talk of the ‘instantly recognisable Volkswagen face’ seems a little extreme, though.
The interior is just as stylish. It’s technological, too, with unique software linked to a touch-sensitive screen (Apple iPhone customers will be at home), which has the ability to sense specific hand movements to access the car’s function controls. Another screen ahead of the driver tells the driver other information such as the status of the systems, and a real-time read-out of the amounts of CO2 being pumped into the atmosphere. In addition, each of the individual lightweight seats can be folded and removed from the car in order for larger loads to be carried, and feature inflatable pockets.
Unsurprisingly, for one so teeny, the up! is quite capable of being a real greeny. Two and three-cylinder engines are slated for the production car, both fitted with VW’s fuel-stratified injection technology. With a sub-1.000kg weight, 80mpg could be theoretically possible, along with low emissions, to really push home the green message. Online sources hint at a possible low-emission diesel variant, too.
I’ve grown to like the looks of the little up! and I could well be one of the potential buyers which Volkswagen is looking to target with the production version of this car. Is it any coincidence that it looks like a product of the iPod generation, when the company announced that it was in talks with Apple recently, to discuss possible collaborations which could include an ‘iCar’?
While it maybe subconsciously and blatantly reminiscent of Apple, I think the clean white body certainly gets the car noticed, and contrasts well with the black bumper and wheel inserts. And while the transparent rear end is as stylish as it is practical, the glowing badge and taillights which sit behind it are frivolous and fun.
With a 3450mm length and 1630mm width, the up! is both shorter and narrower than the current Fox city car, which hasn’t exactly set the world alight with its bland styling, despite its modest price. That’s one thing VW aims to get right with this successor. Many press reports suggest a sub-£5,000 price for the Western market models, while the developing countries version could cost as less as £4,000. And that’s what the company has possibly been lacking in the last few years: a model in true ‘people’s car’ territory.