Volkswagen serves up! six concepts for new city car

Volkswagen’s new city car – the up! – has made its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show along with some fresh ideas in its CV range.

The up! turned up as six concept forms, addressing customers’ varying requirements in an attempt to tick every box possible.

Named by the cast of Emmerdale (so we hear), the almost silent e-up! is VW’s first attempt at zero-emissions driving. With a top speed of 83mph and peak power of 60 kW , the e-up! has a range of 80 miles and is set to go into production by 2013.

The eco-up! sticks an exhaust into the mix pumping an impressive 79g/km of CO2 thanks to the inclusion of BlueMotion technology but is driven partially by natural gas. Capable of storing 72 litres of CNG (Compressed Natural Gas), the eco-up! uses between 2.5-3.2 kg of the stuff every 100 km, a point VW prides itself as the lowest around. The eco-up! is also fuelled by 10-litre reserve petrol tank but VW still say “it is hardly possible to drive more economically than this”.

The up! azzurra and two-seater buggy up! [shown right] are VW’s attempt at the four-wheeled embodiment of California, aimed at the more free-living beach bum types. The door-less roof-less buggy up! takes influence from the original Beetle and is intended as a beach buggy. Not much use to the average fleet manager, but a solid slice of fun nonetheless.

The cross up! follows the same line as the customisable CrossPolo, CrossGolf and CrossTouran models currently on the market and is designed for ‘big city driving’ with ‘rugged lifestyles’ in mind.

Sadly, aside from some design info, no stats or spec relating to its performance has been made public yet.

Finally, the GT up! aims to cater for speed freaks with a vast increase in its power capabilities. With 17-inch alloy wheels and 195 tyres, the GT up! could deal out power up 100PS to satisfy those who want more than just a city car.

CV update

Away from the up!, VW were parading improvement to its Multivan, Amarok and Caddy range, mainly the introduction of BlueMotion.

Commemorating 30 years since its launch, the Caddy Edition 30 is set to become the fastest Caddy yet with a 2.0-litre TDI engine providing 125 kW / 170 PS with DSG. Topped with a gleaming black roof, the model will also feature black 17-inch alloys as standard.

The latest revision to the Amarok should be able to tow more (a maximum of 3.2 metric tonnes) and return a more attractive fuel economy of 37mpg, courtesy of a stop/start system and automatic transmission.

Meanwhile, the BlueMotion Multivan could set new fuel efficiency standards for the Multivan at 44.1mpg and CO2 emissions of 169g/km.

See also:

• Volkswagen rocks up a deal on the Amarok
  May 24, 2012
• Volkswagen relaunches fleet website with sketchy new look
  May 21, 2012
• Volkswagen appoints new Customer Quality Director
  May 14, 2012
• Year-long research will keep VW Fleet Services on top of client expectations
  May 4, 2012
• Volkswagen publishes new CO2 price lists
  April 24, 2012
• Volkswagen aims for 120g/km range by 2015
  April 23, 2012
• Appointments – 14 March
  March 14, 2012
• VW announce fast and frugal Polo BlueGT
  March 6, 2012
• Volkswagen van deals for 12-plate buyers
  February 28, 2012
• Appointments – 2 February
  February 2, 2012

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