Volkswagen’s sub-compact car UP! has started its on-road trials in the body of the older generation Polo. The short wheelbase gives the answer away. The city car was initially based on a Rear Wheel Drive platform which VW later ditched in favour of a more conventional front engine front wheel drive layout. VW will build 3-door, 5-door and electric versions of the UP!.
The UP! is expected to get VW’s 1.2L petrol and diesel engines, that also power the Indian Polo but we expect a two cylinder motor displacing around 800cc to power the UP!. TSi engines are also planned. The electric version or the E-UP! will get a 60kW electric motor and 210NM of torque. The good news is that the UP! project is well on track and will hit markets in the later half of 2011 while the electric version will come in 2013.
Hit the jump for more images and details on Indian version.
To price the UP! competitively in India, VW will need a localisation level of at least 80% and with Suzuki in their arsenal, VW could easily tap Maruti’s suppliers and achieve a target price of Rs 4 lakhs quite easily. Anything below that will be an uphill task. It is good news for customers in India looking for small cars, as a lots of new cars arrive in the following years.
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