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Hybrids Be Damned: VW up! Promises Combined Mileage of 94MPG

Agent009 submitted on 04/17/2008 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 12:20 PM
from: www.autoexpress.co.uk

[35] user comments | category: Spy Shots

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Hybrids Be Damned: VW up! Promises Combined Mileage of 94MPG

Meet the modern-day people’s car. Set to follow in the footsteps of the much loved Beetle, this is the most revolutionary new model in the history of Volkswagen: the stunning up!

Thanks to our sources within the company, Auto Express can give you the best look yet at the striking city runabout. It’s scheduled to make its debut in UK showrooms in 2010, and will compete with an emerging army of chic, eco-friendly small cars such as the Fiat 500 and all-new Toyota iQ.

The up! was displayed for the first time in concept form at last autumn’s Frankfurt Motor Show, and is the smallest, cleverest model VW has ever built. It has a super-compact, rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive powertrain, and promises to be incredibly environmentally friendly, with low CO2 emissions.

As you can see from our images – produced using exclusive insider information – the final showroom version will maintain all the cheekiness and stand-out style of the concept. And that’s no surprise; bosses at VW have always made it clear that the production up! would look virtually identical to the model seen on the stands at Frankfurt. This is an approach already followed by Toyota with the iQ. Read Article

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KZ258 - 4/17/2008 12:54:21 PM

-5 Boost

ugh...why does every hybrid car that is able to achieve crazy MPG numbers always end up looking so ugly?

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Agent009 - 4/17/2008 1:13:22 PMView My AgentSpace

+8 Boost

This one is not a hybrid though

Hantra - 4/17/2008 2:54:30 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Same reason Diet Coke doesn't taste as good as regular.

Marketing.

Audiphile - 4/17/2008 4:51:49 PM

+2 Boost

I think it's kinda cute, myself. Not sure whether I could fit in it, though.

bazoonga - 4/17/2008 10:21:34 PM

+3 Boost

Why is everyone getting off this fool by even paying attention to him?

Ignore the troll and his silly opinions. Don't even bother deboosting him.

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adamsaf723 - 4/17/2008 1:31:43 PM

-3 Boost

This is probably the #1 searched vehicle on that gay autos website.

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Designer1 - 4/17/2008 1:43:47 PM

-1 Boost

94mpg from a 600cc engine, so what's the big deal of that? it better get that much from a such motorcycle engine.

Bragging about nothing!

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Hantra - 4/17/2008 2:57:49 PMView My AgentSpace

+10 Boost

Ahh yes. . .20mpg is AMAAAAAAAZING!!!!! You're right 0bama! W0000t!

monkeyrun - 4/17/2008 5:26:42 PM

+1 Boost

I think Go0bama is being sarcastic.

Bored - 4/17/2008 7:55:11 PM

+3 Boost

@ monkeyrun,

Don't give Go0bama credit he/she doesn't deserve. He/She is too stupid to know any better.

DieselRules - 4/18/2008 2:10:08 AM

+2 Boost

Huh?
You've never owned a Motorcycle, right?
The ones sold in the US typically get 50 MPG (or less) ... but they say that a 500cc bike is "entry level".
A friend's Honda 750-4 got 40 MPG on a good day.

Moving 4 people for 94 miles on 1 gallon of fuel is a big deal!

Carboy - 4/17/2008 3:26:06 PMView My AgentSpace

+7 Boost

If their Lupo can do 75MPG, than this is sure to happen.

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DROOPYSAKK - 4/17/2008 3:44:49 PM

+6 Boost

if the price is right on this it will sell, the inside is cool too,

personally ill pay more for the gas, go fast, and look good doing it.

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S4cabriofoxone - 4/17/2008 3:59:38 PMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

This will definitely sell well. It isn't ugly--it's a slick mini car. And for whoever said that the mileage isn't impressive... Look at the Smart car's mileage and compare.

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Audiphile - 4/17/2008 4:56:29 PM

+2 Boost

Agreed. The up! is also better-looking than the SmartCar as well.

I think the Toyota iQ looks a bit like the Smartcar, even like the old Isetta to a degree!

By the way, do the iQ and SmartCar have back seats? Those two cars look awfully stubby to be 4-seaters.

monkeyrun - 4/17/2008 5:23:52 PM

+2 Boost

Definitely getting one even if it's 80MPG.

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lexusis350 - 4/17/2008 6:19:53 PM

-6 Boost

This is when you've got to ask yourself which is worse: driving a Volkswagen or getting crappy gas mileage.

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lexusis350 - 4/18/2008 12:55:19 PM

+1 Boost

Deboost me all you want, but it doesn't make it a false statement...

truckmen - 4/21/2008 5:03:38 AM

+1 Boost

lol

Steve - 4/17/2008 6:32:22 PM

+3 Boost

If VW delivers, then Smart Cars will need to up the ante quite a bit.

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1995e34 - 4/17/2008 7:03:06 PM

+3 Boost

my weeble people had a car just like this. weebles wobble but they never tip over.

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DieselRules - 4/18/2008 2:13:25 AM

+2 Boost

Hey, someone should incorporate "Weeble Technology" into SUVs!
Does Ralph Nader know that "weebles wobble but they never tip over"???

huu76 - 4/17/2008 10:14:56 PM

0 Boost

What the hell, a 600cc engine? A Honda Goldwing has a bigger engine and would probably destroy the Up! in an accident.

Meh, Autoexpress reported the Prius III gets 113mpg and it's still bigger.

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chewy - 4/17/2008 10:33:52 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

Not really buddy. The Goldwing will get much worse MPG as well. The Prius would cost 2-3 times more.

If it comes to the US, it will be a fairly large vehicle.

Heyhuub - 4/18/2008 2:50:41 AM

+1 Boost

I hate how people think, small car=unsafe.

Eyecarehawaii - 4/18/2008 5:57:34 AM

+2 Boost

"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."
- Douglas Adams

If we fail to heed warnings about our impact on our enviroment, if we continue our reliance on and funding of petrolium producing countries whos policies are detrimental to ours, then we will only end up hurting ourselves in the long run. Just because we may be able to afford a large SUV or some gas guzzling car doesn't mean that we should buy one. Looks, while important, shouldn't be the sole reason for buying any vehicle. After all the primary purpose of a vehicle is to get you and whatever you need to carry from Point A to Point B. Anything more than that is just so you can stroke your ego.

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abcd - 4/18/2008 6:58:35 AM

+1 Boost

Agent009:
"VW up! Promises Combined Mileage of 94MPG"

this is about 78MPG in US .

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M35MT - 4/18/2008 12:30:40 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Ugly and w/o Utility just like the Smart car. Why not just ride a bike?

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stone - 4/18/2008 5:02:45 PM

+2 Boost

Lightweight body with an incredibly small engine, of course the MPG will be high. I just cannot see the utility, carry a passenger and acceleration is probably unbearable. Add some cargo, and you have a 15 second 0-60. My biggest concern is crash protection, can you imagine getting hit by a full size car while driving this thing? It might work in Europe, where most cars are small, but in the US, you would be risking your life anytime you hit the interstate.

Stone

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huu76 - 4/18/2008 10:23:43 PM

+1 Boost

stone,
The VW 1.6L Polo's have 0-60 times above 16sec, this thing probably has to be measured in minutes unless your passenger gets out and pushes.

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huu76 - 4/18/2008 10:26:49 PM

+1 Boost

heyhuub,
Size does matter in an accident. A while back I posted EURNCAP links showing the A-class faired poorly compared to other cars in its class (Toyota and Citroen beating it handidly).
In the mid-size class, all the Germans couldn't get past 90 pts (VW was closest) while Toyota/Ford nearly hit 100. Of course, that how nothing to do with size, just crappy Germany engineering.

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mercuryguy - 4/19/2008 4:12:38 PM

+1 Boost

Penny wise, dollar foolishness.
First off, with the plunging American Dollar, this vehicle will likely be unaffordable by the time it gets to the American Market. That’s American Inflation for you.
Secondly, in New York State, we have nearly a 10% Tax on the purchase of new automobiles, and an expensive Car registration, Inspection and Plate fee on top of that still.
It would take a long time to recoup the S4,000 sales tax over the amount I’ll save per gallon of gas. By the time I break even, it will be time to shop for another car. So it is actually more economical for me to keep my current 4 door sedan.
If I’m going to make an investment, a Diesel engine, 2 Wheel Drive, Stick shift makes more sense for durability and longevity. These two factors are paramount in the cost of ownership as labor and parts aren’t cheap these days.
Here is a better question, what happens when you go to the Airport to pick up you colleges? Where do they put their luggage? Will this car fit 4 business executives each who like to power their laptops up in the car?
The time has come for Diesel engines with 8-speed manual gearboxes and 2-speed rear ends.
I love VW though. They make High Quality products. The new Passat is to die for.
I was recently getting parts at a Ford dealer, they charged a little old lady $75.00 to road test her car, even before they opened the hood. Can you imagine the cost and repair of an electric car when it gets beyond 50K miles? How about cost of insurance? Smaller cars are usually higher to insure because they usually don’t reach the 5-star crash ratings inherent in larger cars. No one ever calculates these costs when they are strolling through showrooms. With the direction of this economy, these true cost factors will likely eclipse the cost of a gallon of gas.

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truckmen - 4/21/2008 5:12:33 AM

+1 Boost

Its just too small! If it were the size of a civic and as safe I would be satisfied that it is a good car. Reliability? I won;t even go there.lol

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