Making their world premiere alongside the series production Up! in Frankfurt, are six new concept versions of Volkswagen’s new city car. We’ve already shown the you the Buggy Up! that harks back to the 1960’s model, so we’ll concentrate on the five other Up! studies.
First up! (pun intended), is the sportiest prototype of the bunch, aptly named GT Up!. Volkswagen says a possible production version of the GT could be fitted with a small displacement engine delivering 100-horsepower or 25HP more than the most powerful Up! available at launch.
The concept model is adorned with all the usual styling treats found on VW’s GTI models such as the honeycomb grille, larger 17-inch wheels shod in 195 tires, an aero kit and a re-trimmed interior.
Next up! (last pun, we promise), is the Up! Azzurra inspired by the nautical world and crafted by Italian designers Giorgetto Giugiaro and Walter de Silva.
The concept does away with the roof and the doors while gaining four seats in white-blue leather, numerous chrome components and a dashboard in mahogany with maple wood inlays.
Moving on the third Up! proposal, the Cross Up! not only demonstrates Volkswagen’s vision for a crossover variant, but also previews the look of the up!coming five-door body style.
The fourth concept is the Eco Up! powered by a 1.0-liter natural gas engine (EcoFuel) delivering 68HP, and equipped with VW’s BlueMotion Technology that includes a Stop/Start system and battery regeneration.
VW said that it will launch a gas-powered version of the Up! without the BlueMotion tech sometime next year.
Finally, the e-Up! is the conceptual predecessor of a pure-electric model that is scheduled to launch on the market in 2013. Motivation is provided by an electric motor with a peak output of 60kW / 80HP (continuous power: 40 kW / 54HP) and a torque of 210Nm, that allow the e-Up! to reach a top speed of 135km/h (84 mph).
VW says the car’s battery capacity of 18 kilowatt-hours (kWh) enables a driving range of up to 130 kilometers (80 miles).
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