Last month’s rumors of VW’s Up! minicar switching from a rear-drive, rear-engine layout to a more economical front-wheel drive, front engine design have been confirmed. “Our engineers favored a rear engine and fought until the end for that solution,” VW group CEO Martin Winterkorn said. This means the bean-counters once again won over engineers, saving the company money as more components can be shared with other FWD VW models.
The engineers argued a rear engine layout would allow more passenger and cargo space, but would add complexity in cooling system design as well, reports Automotive News. We’d argue a rear-engine layout is also an appealing novelty that could help boost sales.
The decision will reportedly delay the production car’s debut by as much as five months. Thus far, the car is not meant for U.S. consumption, though that may change when the dollar-to-euro exchange rate becomes more favorable.
The delay, which also means the minicar will now likely launch early in 2011 as opposed to the originally planned 2010 release, will give a much bigger head start to competitor cars from Toyota and Fiat, according to Automotive News. The Fiat Topolino is due to reach showrooms before 2010, while Toyota’s IQ will launch in Europe early in 2009.
VW hopes to sell half a million Up! models in Europe and other emerging markets, with the U.S. a possibility as well. The Smart ForTwo competitor will include a hatchback, minivan and sedan, and be sold under the VW, Skoda and Seat brands under different model names.
07/21, 9:31 AM
posted by:
FlyingB
Great. Now it’ll take longer to make Up yours.
07/21, 9:39 AM
posted by:
mr.meanpants
If they can bring the tempatures down in a Veyron, certainly they can cool the jets of a hatchback.
07/21, 9:40 AM
posted by:
mr.meanpants
As always VW will throw the engine over the front axle and it’ll handle like a pig.
07/21, 9:41 AM
posted by:
xyunya
UP! yours not propelled by the rear? Maybe it is good news after all those R8 fires
07/21, 9:43 AM
posted by:
xyunya
mr.meanpants, actually over the front axle VW drives like a Ferrari compare to original with engine behind rear axle.
07/21, 10:41 AM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
No surprise. VW abandoned quality years ago also.
07/21, 11:37 AM
posted by:
mr.meanpants
Eeesch. Never driven a rear engined VW; sounds like it’d be fun in the snow.
07/21, 11:52 AM
posted by:
golf4me
Dumb move, VW. You had the chance for a unique vehicle in a very boring segment. Now, it’s just another box pulled by the front wheels. No doubt there will be a stupid hype-rid model too.
And BTW, why must there be less component sharing if the engine is in the rear? The only real difference is that the rear suspension doesn’t have steering knuckles. The only thing radically different would be the cooling system, and that would be different anyway, being that it’s a smaller car than the rest of the lineup. Maybe some bracketry and wiring harnesses & such too.
Somehow a 5 month delay seems to be a lot more expensive than the alleged added cost of the rear engine layout. I think they are being lazy and cheap. Thanks, Porsche.
07/21, 12:06 PM
posted by:
TomF
The old Beetles were terrible on snow and ice. They were a lot easier to get killed in during a head-on collision, also. I don’t think the “novelty value” of a rear-engine layout would be enough to compensate for wx and safety factors, especially in the US rules environment.
07/21, 12:36 PM
posted by:
xyunya
I recall RWD, rear engine Beetles laden with sand bags during windy days. Some guys crossing George Washington Bridge form NYC to NJ were blown around lanes uncontrollably. It was an OK car in good weather, especially convertible. The car goes back to 30’s, something should be learn from then.
07/21, 12:55 PM
posted by:
fuk-u-asshole
im very dissapoionted VW. just not brave enough as usual
07/21, 1:15 PM
posted by:
phiftywon
shocker!!!
07/21, 3:54 PM
posted by:
A4
yeah really VW you are really pussying out lately and its starting to chap my ass, grow a pair, i love you to death but cmon, youre making me look bad.
07/21, 6:11 PM
posted by:
Mr. Piston
Thats , F*cked Up!
07/21, 6:28 PM
posted by:
wushuhsu
Think the evil monopolist overloads at Porsche AG had anything to do with this? We should all boycott Porsche until they allow Audi and VW to make cars that compete against their overpriced underpowered cars.
07/21, 7:01 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
TomF, technology such as traction control (for RWD handling) and a steel safety cage (for crash protection) seem to have effectively healed both of the original VW’s safety ills for Smart’s rear engined ForTwo. Too bad VW can’t seem to find a way to incorporate similar technology for the Up! and will instead settle for creating another undistinguished also-ran in the segment.
07/21, 9:47 PM
posted by:
jayjc08
TomF- So your telling me you’ve owned a VW Beetle, right?
By far they are some of the best vehicles in snow. Lightweight, skinny tires and not a whole lot of power. Mom owned a 59′ Beetle, first vehicle she owned, reupholstered the whole thing. Great little car, but sold it quite a while ago.