REPORT: how the Up! might find a home in the new array of VW-group offerings
VW Up! concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
Regular readers are surely aware of the new city car model that Volkswagen is preparing called the Up! Until now, European shoppers looking for a relatively cheap VW, could only get an imported Fox from Brazil that dosen't have too much of an appeal, but the Up! could come as a solution if it is reincarnated as the next-generation VW Lupo, as has been rumored. Of course, the Up/Lupo might or might not find its way to sibling companies Seat, which already had a Lupo clone called Arosa in the line up, and Škoda, which could rename the car the Joyster. The three sibling models would all be under 3.5 meters long and weigh under 800kg. Some reports say the VW could be priced at about €8,500, with the Škoda version for emerging markets priced under €5,000. All models are to be built at a plant near Bratislava, Slovakia. The Up!/Lupo/Arosa/Joyster will then very likely spawn into other variants from 2011 onwards, with a longer 5-door version, a minivan, a convertible and an ultra-efficient and shortened two-seater. Finally, there is an all-electric Audi version likely to come from this platform in 2014.
Gallery: Volkswagen up! concept
[Source: Auto News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Matt 7:23PM (8/08/2009)
And for the US? What? No Up! version for us?
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wincros 8:28PM (8/08/2009)
I think there is some confusion. The 2010 Lupo has already been shown in the metal. I saw one on the freeway in Southern California near one of the larger VW dealers. Search this blog for a picture. It looks like a small Golf, not an Up. They are not likely to restyle the Lupo after a year on the market. If there is an Up it will be an additional lower displacement model that we will not get in the US. I think we will get the Lupo though.
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Sam 1:55AM (8/09/2009)
I think the car your thinking of is the polo, it looks like a small"er" golf.. The Lupo is even smaller than the Polo and "IF" it were sold in N/a it would be under the sheet metal of this up, and named lupo.
wincros 2:15PM (8/09/2009)
You are right. Sorry. In the words of Emily Latella, "Never mind."
David Martin 6:00AM (8/09/2009)
We have the Lupo in Europe under the name of Fox - it is by far the cheapest of the VW's, and is not smaller than the Golf-style Polo.
Although the wheelbase is similar, the body is far higher, so interior dimensions are greater.
It is not common or popular and VW seems to have decided to go back to the drawing board.
They also led a project to eliminate weight in cars, and from memory are aiming at a weight for the body shell of about 30% less than current models.
Since the Fox/Lupo is not a very popular model, they have little to loose by presenting it as a new model, rather than using the old brand.
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coyo t 12:08PM (8/09/2009)
I liked the Up! however I have long since given up on it as I don't see it ever happening.
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Thom 2:14PM (8/10/2009)
Bring the Up Minivan. A modern day surfer/beach van. Make it a Hybrid or EV and bring it to the U.S > I believe it would be a hit.
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