Over the past few years we’ve seen plenty of Volkswagen Up concepts, but little in the way of production models. However, the Up is continuing down the production path, as evidenced by these first spy shots.
The Up! promises to be an important small car for Volkswagen , moving into the entry-level market formerly occupied by the VW Fox, Lupo, and Polo. The Up! is promised to be offered in many powertrain options, including a full-electric version of the car destined for America.
The two prototypes had different camouflage set-ups on their front-ends, one which exposes its grille and allows proper air-cooling, the other has its nose fully covered. This probably means that two disguising panels have simply been removed from the camouflage on one prototype. However, if the cars are seen testing in the heat of the desert with this same set-up, it would mean that one of these prototypes is an electric version. We’ll have to wait and see what the actual testing reveals.
E-Up EV
Powered entirely by batteries, the compact electric car will offer a range of 84 miles via its 18 kWh lithium battery pack. The sprint to 62 mph is rather sluggish at 11.3 seconds, but it’s important to remember the E-Up is an urban people-mover, first and foremost. Accelerating to 31 mph will take just 3.5 seconds, thanks to the motor’s 155 pound-feet of torque. Despite a lack of grunt at higher speeds, the car is capable of highway speeds – up to 85 mph.
Volkswagen Chariman Martin Winterkorn said the three-seat E-Up will likely enter production in 2013.
“To be a genuine success such an electric car must be affordable to a broad customer base and must be uncompromisingly practical in everyday driving. Only then, in high volumes, and ideally on all continents, can one truly speak of the beginning of the electric age in automobiles and a perceptible reduction of their environmental impact.”
Winterkorn said he expects it will take until 2020 at the earliest for electric cars to go truly mainstream.
The car’s 500 lbs of batteries are located low in the chassis, providing ample space for occupants and cargo. Despite the heavy batteries, the E-Up weighs just 2,387 lbs. This is due in part to the integrated drivetrain, which weighs just 308 lbs.
Charging would take around five hours from a 220-volt household outlet. A commercial charging station — for example a curbside charger — could cut that time to around an hour, VW says. Charging the car in Europe at typical prices would cost approximately $2.92 for 60 miles worth of juice.
References
1.’2013 Volkswagen E-Up!…’ view
