2013 Volkswagen Up Four Door

In the U.S., calls the idea of a car smaller than Mini-Mental images of a narrow interior, no trunk, and wheezing, gutless engine. (The fact that the for two one of the few smart cars for less than a Mini supports this impression is sold.) It has always been a different story in other parts of the world, enjoy a number of such cars a cult like following that. Small car from Volkswagen sometimes with this kind of immortality (read a short story of the little VWS) flirted, and the company hopes will be introduced next spring on similar success with its new Up!, A new small car in Europe.

For the 139.4-inch length, the Up! has an unusually long wheelbase of 95.3 inches. It is also quite wide 64.6 cm. The four wheels are pushed to the four corners will help to improve not only the relationship, but perhaps most importantly, the creation of more space for passengers. Nine cubic meters of loadspace, a figure that increased to 34 with the folded rear seat. The rear seats in other cars of this size are often downhill, because they are totally inhospitable to leave, but the rear seats of the Up! provides a reasonable amount of headroom. If the first row of people pushing their way to the back seat, rear-seat legroom is fine too.

Driver and front passenger are spoiled anyway. The Up! has a great track-out space in all directions and a large, well-read instrument panel. For the HVAC and stereo controls are ergonomically placed high up! (Unfortunately we had only once) in the center console. The plastic sheets are cheap, but they are so well designed and assembled so that the impression they give is anything but cheap. Even the bare metal on the doors looks cool, especially with the displays dash pad in the same color. At the top of the center console, an optional navigation system in cooperation with suppliers, the Navigon is out of the car can be taken if you want to explore a city on foot, developed. The interface is nicely designed, but can be more intuitive, and the system got us back in the wrong direction. After trouble with the touch screen and keyboard in frustration for a few minutes, we just switched off and picked up a paper map.

Power comes from the first iteration of all the new EA211 engine family that will eventually consist of three-and four-cylinder turbo in the atmosphere and forms. Currently, the Up! is provided with two similar atmospheric 1.0-liter three-Bangers. The base model is 60 hp at 5000 rpm the engine makes 75 more in 6200. The maximum torque of both motors is 70 lb-ft from 2000 to 4300 revolutions per minute. In the city, the less powerful engine is perfectly adequate, but the difference is only noticeable if you are really sure both of them.

We took the 75-HP Up! for an extensive tour of Wolfsburg, where she developed (it is built in Bratislava, Slovakia) was. Despite the lack of a balance shaft, the three units is a smooth and pleasant sound with a high spinning. It's just not very flexible. Starts are a pretty dull affair, and although the three speeds on the 6000-rpm redline smoothly and without much fuss, it has little enthusiasm to do that. It takes time to accumulate at any speed. Even with the more powerful engine, must be 0-to-60 mph acceleration still is 12.4 seconds, with the 60-horse engine need 13.6. Speeds are considered a top-107 and 99 mph, respectively. At least they did not use much fuel. The optional start / stop system, the Up! should return the equivalent of 36 mpg on the EPA combined cycle. (For reference, a Fiat 500 is a manual with an overall rating of 33 mpg.) The force is on the front wheels via a five-speed transmission with a lesson or two might of Honda in the precision and feeling to learn. A single coupling will be offered automatically shortly after takeoff. In contrast to silky-DSG from VW, the single-clutch gearbox traditionally rough positive, although the company promises will be different this time.''

The Up! 'S-chassis set-up is surprisingly comfortable. Even long journeys would be nice, thanks to the relatively long wheelbase and dampers that do a commendable job of filtering out bad potholes and bumps. The downside is considerable role. The Up! does not feel as agile as we were hoping for a little VW, and the controls are perhaps a bit too easy. But we recognize how unremarkable the standard system kicks in. If you push the stability of the car, the smell of the brakes, disc brakes, rear drum brakes, you tell the system works.

The really good news is that VW customers who expect a more sporty setup. VW chief research and development, Ulrich Hackenberg confirmed that a sport suspension will be offered soon. In addition, Volkswagen is planning a series of Up! Derivatives, including a five-door, all-electric model, sister of Seat and Skoda models, and perhaps even a one-box mini-mini-minivan mensen mover think if VW Bulli concept. Also, athletic body variants are possible, and if not confirm VW, we suspect it is a full up! GTI is a turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder appear in the not too distant future. Appears at the time, the derivative, we hope execs are their thoughts on the small hatch in the U.S. There are currently incapable of producing any plans, said Hackenberg, but he adds that the car could be federalized to our market without much trouble.

We love the mature nature of the Up! And its clear and sharp styling works well. The rear view with its large windows looks very modern, and the headlamps and grille form a face, friendly, is not too sweet. The Up! is a practical car without the sacrifice we are afraid of this class. Not only that, but, like the modern Mini, which is cool. However, we want to wait for the turbo.