2013 Volkswagen Up!

Volkswagen tiny cars have flirted with this kind of immortality at the time (read a brief history of small VWs here), and the company is expecting the same success with its new 2013 Volkswagen Up! A completely new minicar that is being launched in Europe in the next spring.

For its length 139.4 inches, the Up! has a wide wheelbase of 95.3 inches. It is rather wide, too, to 64.6 inches. The four wheels are pushed out to the four corners, not only helping to improve their proportions, but more importantly, creating more space for passengers. The trunk can hold nine cubic feet, a figure that rises to 34 with the rear seats folded. And while the rear seats in other cars of this size are often pushed down because they are quite harsh, the rear seats of the Up! offer a reasonable amount of headroom. Unless the occupants in the front row to push their seats all the way back, the rear seat legroom is good, too.

Power comes from the first iterations of the family entirely new EA211 engine, which will eventually include three four-cylinder naturally aspirated and turbocharged form. Currently, the Up! is available with two very similar naturally aspirated 1.0-liter three-bangers. The entry-level model is 60 hp at 5000 rpm, the most powerful engine makes 75 in 6200. Maximum torque with an engine is 70 lb-ft from 2000 to 4300 rpm. Around town, the less powerful engine is perfectly adequate, the difference is only noticeable when you really hammer on them.

Setup 2013 Volkswagen Up! chassis is surprisingly comfortable. Even long trips should be enjoyable, thanks to the relatively long wheelbase and shock absorbers that do a commendable job of filtering out nasty holes and uneven surfaces. The disadvantage is significant body roll. The Up! does not feel as agile as we hoped VW a little power, and steering is perhaps a bit too light. But as we quietly appreciate the stability control system standard comes into play when you push the car hard, just the smell of brake discs, front and rear drums, says the system is working.

Driver and front passenger are pampered anyway: There is room enough to stretch in all directions, a large instrument panel and clearly legible, and HVAC and stereo controls are ergonomically positioned high up! (Sorry, we had only once) on the center stack. The plastic panels inside are certainly cheap, but they are so well designed and assembled to give the impression that there is nothing cheap. Even the bare metal on the doors looks cool, especially when the dashpad is processed in the same color.

We like the mature character of the Up!, And his style works well clean and crisp. The rear view, with its large rear window, it seems extremely contemporary, and the headlights and grille form a face that is friendly without being too cute. The 2013 Volkswagen Up! is a practical car without the sacrifice we are afraid of that class. Not only that, but as the modern Mini is cool. Still, they’ll gladly wait for the turbo.