A spokesperson for the Volkswagen Passenger Cars division of VAG has told just-auto that no versions of the VW e-up! are planned “for now”. The brand’s first all-electric car was announced earlier on 14 March.

Responding via email, Volkswagen’s spokesperson stated that the plug-in up! will come down the same line at the Bratislava factory as all existing MHB platform vehicles. That means two- and four-door versions of the VW up!, SEAT Mii and Škoda Citigo. 

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This new EV was previewed by the e-UP! concept at the Frankfurt motor show in September 2009. That car was said to weigh 1,085kg and had an 18kWh lithium-ion battery pack. One of its novelties was solar cells in the sun visors. There is no mention of the latter in today’s advance media information concerning the production model.

Whilst the VW Group already had battery supply or research programmes underway with Sanyo, BYD and Toshiba, in late September 2009, it revealed that it was also working on lithium-ion R&D with Varta Microbattery GmbH. The supplier of the e-up! cells is not named in the 14 March 2013 media release.

Volkswagen says the electric motor in the e-up! has peak power of 60kW/82PS. Its continuous power is stated as being 40kW/55PS, with maximum torque of 210Nm. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is quoted as being “within 14 seconds”, with a top speed of 135 km/h. The lithium-ion battery integrated in the underfloor area has a total energy storage capacity of 18.7kWh; this means that the car can reportedly cover up to 150 km (per NEDC) on a single charge.

The port for charging the battery is hidden behind the same fuel flap as in the combustion versions of the up! The new Combined Charging System (CCS) is optional. CCS, a standardised protocol, supports both DC and AC charging. With this system, drivers can easily charge their cars at most charging stations, regardless of the power sources or charging rates offered.

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One distinctive exterior feature compared to the existing up! is a curved layout for the LED daytime running lights in the front bumper. In addition, the front end, sills and underbody “have been aerodynamically optimised”, according to Volkswagen.

The e-up! will have its world premiere at the Frankfurt IAA in September. Deliveries commence from the fourth quarter. Cars for the UK will follow from early 2014.

Author: Glenn Brooks