Volkswagen Up Concept
11 Sep, 2007
5 Comments 
Expanding its range, Volkswagen is showing of its latest development, a small city car named Up.
Following an old tradition started with the original Volkswagen Beetle, the Up is a rear-engine, four-seat, three-door concept and Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn was happy to announce the Up is a “real Volkswagen.”
There is a good chance the Up is the first of a variety of new models set for production. VW hopes to take on the Toyota Yaris and the ever popular Suzuki swift. Possible variants include a four-door, a small wagon and a convertible.
Measuring a tiny 3,450mm in length and 1,630mm in width, the Up is capable of carrying four passengers. So far rumours flying around suggest a small turbo charged engine might be the power plant. Perhaps Volkswagen will even fit the 1.4-litre twin-charged engine from the Golf GT?
Don’t start cleaning the garage just yet, the Up won’t be available till 2011 at the earliest.
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September 11th, 2007 at 5:37 pm
very very interesting concept, its good to see manufacturers are taking a more radical look at what the future of city cars may be instead of just feeding us “all new models” of high selling hatches which are little more then re-bodied versions of the previous model
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September 11th, 2007 at 6:32 pm
A couple of issues here - I never recalled the original Beetle having three doors. Also, you’re dreaming if you think that the 1.4 twincharger engine will fit in the back of this tiny thing. More likely it will have a compact (in length) flat twin, or a miniature three-potter lying on its side. Or maybe a choice of both, or even a little flat four under the back seat, but I doubt if the original’s air cooling will be part of the package.
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September 22nd, 2007 at 3:49 pm
brilliant idea - very good looks. would prefer as a city run-about (and perhaps for some country journeys) a 3 cyl 4 valves per cyl common rail (instead of unit injectors) alloy block diesel with turbo and intercooler (I wonder if it would have to be charge to water cooling - and where the radiator will be) no power steering (or electric not needing any engine pulley) good a/c where the compressor switches off automatically under heavy acceleration demand (as happens with naturally aspirated 3 cyl petrol small Japan cars - like the Ki-car Daihatsu Cuore and similar - very little effect on cooling - the internal fan stays on. A DSG even if for cost reasons only 5 speed but will take as many speeds as offered. Water pump can be electric for long life, cheapness and less parasitic power.This may eliminate a thermostat. Combined starter, alternator recharger - no belt but easily detachable for service. The BMW idea probably not patented at least by BMW of not using alternator to recharge battery (unless in emergency) until in braking or on overrun. Hydraulic tappets of course. The petrol engines 2 or 3 cyl whether turbo or not (very likely turbo) will have direct petrol injection and high (for a petrol) compression ratio even when off boost - if a turbo be fitted. Could turbine be ceramic, with ball or roller bearings in the shaft to the compressor? The basic 2nd or 3rd world version would have less features, but may still need a turbo, intercooling, good filtration including air filters, a 2 cyl petrol or diesel. Balancing needed a la parallel twin motorcycle engine to make a non-boxer twin run smoothly. It may be possible with basic version to do without a turbo and intercooler, but there must be some performance. Insufficient performance - more hazards - too sluggish to get out of the way. Disc brakes may not need servo. I hope there is a full-sized spare wheel and tyre, jack, and wheel tools. Electronic ign for petrol engines. I think touch screen could be cheaply and well made, if one went to the computer screen makers. Seats with air and gel and their storage look ingenious. Hope suspension is good front and rear. It is unlikely to be tail-wagging nor unstable. For headlamps LED’s are becoming cheaper and can last indefinitely - and use less current. The preceding Cinquecento of the late 60’s had a air-cooled (by fan) rear vertical twin - with crash (no synchro) change and rear swing axles. The IT! (I can think of a better name) in both versions - 1st workd or 2nd./3rd world - can do brilliantly! And at a profit
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December 11th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
[…] Volkswagen’s new family of small cars, expected to sell 1 million units a year. Cars such as the Up have a lot to live up […]
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December 11th, 2007 at 7:07 pm
[…] Volkswagen’s new family of small cars, expected to sell 1 million units a year. Cars such as the Up have a lot to live up […]
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