We will have the opportunity to see the all-new Cross Up! in the flesh at next month’s 83rd Geneva Motor Show , but Volkswagen wants the world to get an early glimpse of its rugged-looking city car that will go on sale across Europe, and possibly other regions as well, from late summer, with the release of the first official photos.
Not that we didn’t know what the crossover version of the Up! would look like as VW had previewed the car through a concept model at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show. The only change made over the study is the addition of protective black moldings with the name of the car on the lower part of the doors.
Power comes from the same 74hp (75PS) three-cylinder petrol engine connected to a five-speed manual gearbox driving the front wheels as the regular Up!, with the car gaining an SUV-themed exterior through the use of black body cladding for the bumper surrounds, side sills, and wheel arches, plus silver roof rails and bumper trims. A new set of 16-inch alloy wheels shod in tires size 185/50 completes the look.
VW makes no mention of any changes to the car’s suspension or traction control system in its initial release.
The interior of the Cross Up! is spiffed up with unique seat trim available in red or dark grey with a matching dashboard finish, leather wrapped steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake, plus chrome trims for the vents and speedometer as well as the door sills.
In Germany, the new Cross Up! will have a starting price of €13,925 (equal to US$18,600 and £11,800 at today’s currency rates).
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