The VW Up Lite--making its debut at the 2009 LA Auto Show--crams a lot of tech into an incredibly small package.
Antuan Goodwin
Antuan Goodwin gained his automotive knowledge the old fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway and picking up speeding tickets. From drivetrain tech and electrification to car audio installs and cabin tech, if it's on wheels, Antuan is knowledgeable.
The VW Up Lite crams a lot of tech into an incredibly small package.
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The Up Lite is powered by a 0.8-liter turbo-diesel two-cylinder engine that shares motivational duties with a 10kW electric motor for a total of about 64 horsepower.
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Putting power to the front wheels is a seven-speed DSG transmission.
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Technologies such as a Start-Stop system, regenerative braking, and the capability to operate in a full electric-only mode and lightweight materials such as a carbon fiber roof help the Up Lite to reach a crazy 70 US mpg.
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The Up Lite's body is primarily composed of lightweight aluminum where metal is required.
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Fold flat rear seats allow the Up Lite to either carry four passengers or enlarge its cargo area.
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While a production Up Lite would no doubt be equipped with 16-inch wheels shod in low rolling resistance tires, the concept rolls on 18-inchers with 10 carbon fiber spokes per wheel.
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Inside, the restrained Up Lite gets a much needed splash of color with orange carpet and door trim as well as another healthy dose of carbon fiber.
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At the base of the center stack is the bulbous shifter assembly which is captured in a bracket below the floating information display.
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The Up Lite features no fewer than three LCD displays: the center information display, an instrument cluster display, and a rearview mirror display that shows feeds from the Up's three rearview cameras.
