Volkswagen’s Up! city car has to be one of the firm’s most versatile models. To date, this budget-conscious compact has spawned such spin-offs as a plug-in EV, a three-door, and MPV and even a beach buggy, but the latest version to get the production go-ahead is a five-door model based on the Cross Up! concept shown off at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show.
While Volkswagen has not divulged any details regarding the five-door’s engine line-up or specification, we expect them to mirror that of the three-door model. So trim-wise, three levels should be offered: Take Up (entry-level), Move Up (mid-level) and High Up (range-topper) will be offered. In terms of on-board tech, the Up! features a removable Navigon infotainment/sat-nav system with parking assist module that slots into a dock on top of the facia.
Power is likely to be provided by 1,0-litre, three-cylinder engine in two states of tune (44 kW and 55 kW). Mated with a choice of standard five-speed manual and optional dual-clutch transmissions, the lower-powered unit coupled with a manual shifter should return around 4,5 L/100 km and the higher-powered unit around 4,7 L/100 km. Emissions reportedly sit below the 100 g/km mark.
The Up! is set to comprise the bulk of Volkswagen’s future global sales, and forms an integral part of Volkswagen’s bid to become the largest global carmaker by 2018. Sales of the five-door model are set to commence in Europe during the fourth quarter of 2012.
With regards to local availability, VWSA’s official stance currently dictates that it will not introduce the Up! to its SA model line-up – possibly due to a possible clash with the locally produced Vivo. We have, however, heard from reliable sources that VWSA may change its stance and should that happen, the five-door model is the most likely version to find its way here.
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