2012 Volkswagen up! review
2012 Volkswagen up!
By Ian Lynas, 19th February 2012
A very important small car with an unusual name will take to our roads shortly: the 'up!'. Volkswagen is bringing a small, affordable car to the market and one which will be available in three trim levels - 'Take', 'Move' and 'High'.
This is a brand new car and it would be easy as to write it off as just another city car; however in a city environment it does excel, as I discovered when I drove one on the international launch in Rome.
I also took it on a country run, which included a spell on an Italian motorway and it performed equally well. If any of you have driven in Rome, you will know that it's as chaotic as the start of a Formula Ford race at Brands Hatch.
New Volkswagen up!
While the up! is compact on the outside, the interior offers class-leading space for four with a smallish but deep boot. The capacity is 251 litres but fold the rear seat and this expands to a useful 951 litres.
There's a choice of a pair of three-cylinder petrol 1.0-litre engines with power choices of 60 and 75PS and the standard gearbox is a five-speed. This is pleasant to use and changes are smooth.
New VW up!
Two special editions will be available from launch: 'black' and 'white', which are based on the High trim. The entry level Take up! features a reasonable standard package, including body coloured bumpers, daytime running lights, airbags, CD radio with aux-in and steel wheels. This costs from £7,995.
The next trim level; Move up! has remote central locking, air conditioning, electric front windows, easy-entry seats, 60/40 split rear seat and body coloured door mirrors and handles. Pricing for this car is from £8,970 and according to Volkswagen, this is the version which is expected to be the top seller in the UK.
2012 VW up!
The range-topper is the High up! which has a price tag of £10,390. It features the more powerful engine and comes with heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, gear lever and handbrake and a personal 'infotainment' device. Fog lights and an attractive set of alloys set this version apart from the rest.
The special editions add Deep Black pearl or Pure White metallic paint, chrome door mirror caps and 16-inch alloys - these versions cost £11,180.
When the up! arrives in UK showrooms, it will be in the three door body style but five door versions will be introduced next year .
Volkswagen up! interior
The up! is set to become a family of small cars within the Volkswagen range and there will shortly be a BlueMotion version, using the 60PS engine expected to return 67mpg and with a low emission figure of just 105g/km. An electric version will arrive on the market in 2013.
The new up! has a number of options, all of which are keenly priced. The Driver Assistance Pack at £400 and a sat nav system at £275.
Volkswagen aims to make the up! affordable to a wide audience but it is most likely to appeal to younger drivers and those approaching retirement age. City-dwellers should also appreciate the diminutive VW.
