Volkswagen’s Up! Compact Concept
VW has their own version of the Smart ForTwo city car (also to compete with the alleged Mazda1 city car) - The Up! Measuring almost 3.5 meters in length, it comes in a bit larger than your typical “city car.” And much like the old school Volkswagen Bugs you have a rear mounted engine on the Up! VW engineers hope their Up! is not some one hit wonder, they are conceiving this to be the first in a series of vehicles for an entirely new model line-up.
VW states: “The Up! is not a car whose form will become obsolete within a very brief period of time. It shines in its cleverness and yet is made with loving care. And so the Up! is a clear and strong statement for future Volkswagen design.”
Up!’s rear is starting a tradition we will most likely see in many city vehicle concepts - it’s completely transparent, while taillights are high up on the car, so the bike messengers won’t miss you. The VW logo in the rear is behind this see-thru back, and lights up at night…just in case you forget what make the car is. As for the front end, there is still that lovable Beetle-like smiley face grill.
Inside, you have a bit more legroom than your typical mini car, and the dash is laid out with touch screen controls and a fully digital gauges. This may be what future Volkswagen’s look at inside and out.
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