Volkswagen Up! Concept (VW's Answer To Daimler's Smart Car Alert)

VW Vortex ^ | 9/10/2007 | VW Vortex

[goldstategop]

Not to be outdone by Daimler with the Smart Car, Volkswagen is seeking to go back to its "people's car" roots in the next decade with its UP! Concept car. They are as one can see, typically VW in heritage and conception and timeless. Which recalls that iconic car, The Beetle. 2010 is worth looking forward to, if only to see what the new union of Porsche and VW can do with car design.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Petronski]

It looks like the bastard demon spawn of an AMC Pacer and a Microsoft Zune.

[Old Sarge]

Wii would like to play...

[dit_xi]

My Ford F-450 Super Duty pickup truck will crush that little thing UP!

[goldstategop]

This VW line is all modern yet retro in that it goes back to the familiar engine in the rear. The trunk space is again in the front, just like with classic VWs.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Proud2BeRight]

Looks like a population thinner. I can hear Rush’s “In a Yugo” in the background.

[ikka]

If it as slab-sided as my Toyota Echo, crosswinds will toss it around a great deal...

[Cringing Negativism Network]

Heh.

I’ll take two please!

(calling Detroit... calling Detroit...)

[kingu]

Vs the dumb car, VW has realized that the biggest market for this will want to take more than one person with them - either kids, as in small families, or even friends (as in college students). Hopefully they’ll be wise with the pricing as well.

[Petronski]

I’ll take two please!

They don't look wide enough for my feet. I'll stick with Reeboks.

[goldstategop]

Its actually bigger than the Smart car. Not only is the engine in the back, the seats are removable to give you more storage space front and back. I expect power steering won't be an option since its not necessary with a rear engine car.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[goldstategop]

Exactly. Its big enough to seat four and the seats can be folded down and even removed for more stowage. Its a small car but it challenges the notion small cars can't carry a lot of stuff inside them.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[RayChuang88]

What I find interesting is that there is SERIOUS talk something based on the Up! platform could not only be sold here in the USA, but possibly manufactured here in the USA, too. I'd buy one if they fit in a small 1.3-liter clean turbodiesel rated at around 90-95 bhp but with a high torque peak on a car that might weigh around 2,200 pounds in US-legal form.

[goldstategop]

VW is collaborating with Apple so I would not be surprised at all if the computer touch screen was powered by Mac OSX.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[kinoxi]

My Ford F-450 Super Duty pickup truck will crush that little thing UP!

It might dent your bumper. Plus you'd have farfegnugen all in you're wheel wells...

[Cringing Negativism Network]

If I order one with Linux, is it free?

[LukeL]

When Honda and Toyota can get better fuel mileage out of a safer and more stylish car at a cheaper price, why would anyone want to buy something like this.

[goldstategop]

The base price would be around $12,000. With all options, $20,000. This is a people's car, so it shouldn't be too expensive. VW's entry into the luxury market was a flop because the Phaeton was just too expensive for what people were willing to pay for the VW brand name. At last, the company is getting back to bread and butter basics: cheap, reliable and fun transportation for the masses.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[RayChuang88]

Funny you should mention that because there are persistent rumors that Toyota is working on a small “city car” (based on the Toyota Aygo sold in Europe) that will be sold in the USA. We could see a concept of this new model probably some time in the first half of 2008.

[goldstategop]

A rear engine car offers designers a chance to develop a different and more sportier kind of car. Getting away from the New Beetle's "chick car" image is the first step. Making it into a car that's both affordable and fun to drive is a big challenge. I like what I see, but it needs more work before the UP! car is ready to go into production in the next decade.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus