Volkswagen Up Offers Efficiency for All This December

The original Volkswagen Beetle was intended as a car that anyone could own. VW claims that it will democratize the automotive world again when it debuts the Up this December in Europe. The Up will be positioned below the Golf and Polo in the VW lineup meaning it will take the place that was occupied by the Lupo.

The Up will be available with VW's new family of three-cylinder petrol engines. These 1 liter engines will be available with outputs of either 60hp or 75hp and consume 4.2l/100km of petrol for the 60hp version or 4.3l/100km for the 75hp version. A natural gas-powered version of the Up will come later that makes 68hp and consumes 3.2kg of natural gas per 100km. An electric Up will also come sometime in 2013.

The Up was designed to maximize interior size while using the minimum of exterior area. The car has short front and rear overhangs in its 3.54 meter length and a wheelbase of 2.42m. For its diminutive size, it is actually quite tall at 1.48m. This should maximize headroom and cargo space. The Up can carry 251 liters in the boot and 951 liters with the rear seats down.

For a small city car, the Up is coming packed with features. It is the first small car to come with city emergency braking. It is a system that will bring the car to a complete stop if the driver to going less than 30km/h, and it senses an emergency situation.

The Up will also be the first car of its kind from VW to come with a portable infotainment device. This unit, made by Navigon, combines the car's navigation, radio, telephone and information systems. The unit snaps into place above the center console. Apps will be made available later than can add functionality to the device.

VW will launch three versions of the Up in December: take Up is the base car; move Up adds comfort accessories; and top Up is the highest trim level. VW did not reveal what equipment will be added to each trim level to differentiate it.

The Up is intended by VW to be accessible by all buyers. VW will offer a new financing model called AutoCredit2 that allows for more flexibility in vehicle financing. It claims that the new financing model will make the Up more accessible to lower income buyers.

VW did not mention the price of the Up, but because of where it is positioned, expect the Up to retail for somewhat less than the Polo.

It is interesting to see that VW is taking a different direction than BMW. The Up will be competing directly against the i3, at least in intended use. The two vehicles have taken totally different approaches to economy. Where BMW is betting on advanced technology like electric engines and carbon fiber reinforced plastic bodies, VW is using a much simpler method with small, economical engines. Prices have not been revealed for either model yet, but from a technology comparison, it seems like the BMW will have to be more expensive. It will be intriguing to see who wins this German city car battle.