Four years after it first exhibited a concept version of a new city car, Volkswagen has revealed details of the production model. The up! which in Europe replaces the slow-selling Fox, is a four-seat, three-door hatchback.

All launch variants of the up! will be powered by a new 1.0-litre petrol engine. This three-cylinder unit is to be available with outputs of 60 PS and 75 PS.  Combined fuel consumption as a BlueMotion Technology version (including a Stop/Start system) is 4.2 l/100 km (60 PS), and CO2 emissions for this version are less than 100 g/km.  A version which runs on natural gas will follow for relevant markets.  There are also plans for an up! with electric drive.

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In Germany, the car’s trim levels will be called take up!, move up! and high up! The launch in that market is set for December but as yet, there is no news on pricing. The public will see this rival for the Renault Twingo, Ford Ka, Peugeot 107 and Citroën C1 for the first time at the Frankfurt motor show next month.

According to VW the car is  3.54m long, 1.64m wide and 1.48m high, while the wheelbase is quoted as 2.42m. The car will be the first model on the Volkswagen Group’s MHB architecture.

An automatic low-speed emergency stop feature similar to Volvo Cars’ City Safety system will be available as an option for the up! City Emergency Braking is being claimed as a segment first by Volkswagen.

Production of the up! is due to start in October with two closely related models to follow in 2012. All will come down the same line at the Volkswagen Group’s newly expanded Bratislava plant. While the model name for the Škoda variant remains a closely guarded secret, it is believed that SEAT will call its car ‘Mii’.

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As for the Fox, which is built by VW do Brasil, and which has been in production for eight years now, it is expected to be replaced by an up!-based model during 2012.

Author: Glenn Brooks