X

VW upgrades the Up six times over (photos)

Not only did Volkswagen present a production version of the Up subcompact, it also unveiled six new concepts based on the Up's platform.

CNET Reviews staff
vw_up_01.jpg
1 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
Not only did Volkswagen present a production version of the Up subcompact, it also unveiled six new concepts based on the Up's platform.
vw_up_00.jpg
2 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
Starting with the standard Up, three engines will be available at launch. The first two are gasoline engines rated at 59 and 74 horsepower. The third is a compressed natural gas (CNG) engine that outputs 67 horsepower.
vw_up_04.jpg
3 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
Those are small horsepower numbers all around, but remember that the Up is a tiny car. It's only about 11.6 feet from nose to tail and weighs just 2,048 pounds.
vw_up_03.jpg
4 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
Start-stop technology, a five-speed automatic transmission, and general tininess help the Up achieve up to 50 mpg on the EU test cycle with its smaller gasoline engine.
vw_up_05.jpg
5 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
When the Up goes on sale, it'll be at an MSRP of 9,850 euros (about $13,473).
vw_up_06.jpg
6 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
However, VW didn't only announce the Up. It also showed off six more concepts that ranged from the mild to the wild.
vw_up_buggy_00.jpg
7 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET

Buggy Up!

A resident of the wild side, the Buggy Up is an homage to the dune buggies of old with its open-top design.
vw_up_buggy_01.jpg
8 of 19 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Buggy Up

The ride height and overall height have been lowered from the production Up and the Buggy is wider and longer.
vw_up_cross_01.jpg
9 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET

Cross Up!

The Cross Up is about as much of a crossover as the Mini Countryman (which is to say, not much of one), but it does ride higher than the standard Up. Most interestingly, the Cross Up gains an extra set of doors to aid ingress into its expanded rear seat.
vw_up_e_02.jpg
10 of 19 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

E-Up!

One of the most interesting Up variants is the E-Up, which, as you may be able to guess, is an all-electric concept.
vw_up_e_03.jpg
11 of 19 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

E-Up

Power is provided by an 18 kWh battery that sends energy to an electric motor with a peak output of 60 kW (continuous output is rated at about 54 horsepower).
vw_up_e_04.jpg
12 of 19 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

E-Up

Depending on the driver's right foot, the E-Up should be able to cruise for about 80 miles between charges.
vw_up_eco_00.jpg
13 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET

Eco Up!

The Eco Up is another green machine. This time it runs on EcoFuel, which is VW's cutesy term for natural gas. (Why they don't just call it natural gas is beyond me.)
vw_up_eco_01.jpg
14 of 19 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Eco Up

Like the standard CNG fueled up, the Eco Up features start-stop technology. However, this concept only emits 79 g/km of CO2 and CNG fuel consumption drops from 3.2 kg/100km to 2.5 kg/100km.
vw_up_gt_01.jpg
15 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET

GT Up!

The GT Up (Giddyup, get it?) is the Up concept for the enthusiast market. Not only does it weigh less (1,984 pounds), but it outputs more (100 horsepower).
vw_up_gt_02.jpg
16 of 19 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

GT Up

Simple instrumentation puts the tachometer front and center in the GT Up's dashboard.
vw_up_gt_03.jpg
17 of 19 Antuan Goodwin/CNET
A dashboard-mounted iPhone supplies audio and telematics to the GT Up.
vw_up_gt_05.jpg
18 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
The power boost is provided by a turbocharged version of the standard Up's engine. This concept is meant to pay homage to the original Volkswagen GTI.
vw_up_strazza_01.jpg
19 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET

Up Arruzza Sailing Team

The last, and oddest, Up concept is the Up Arruzza Sailing Team. (Yes, even the name is odd.) This nautical-themed, open-top concept features wood trim contrasting with its white paint. Presumably, "I'm on a boat" is playing on a continuous loop from its audio system.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos